3.8 million of Euro for Czech Republic
63.8 million of Euro for Czech Republic
The European Commission has adopted the second of two cross-border co-operation programmes between Germany and the neighbouring border regions of the Czech Republic which will be financed by the Community initiative INTERREG III A (INTERREG III A: The Community initiative INTERREG III aims at trans-European cooperation intended to encourage harmonious and balanced development of the European territory.
Strand A of the initiative concerns cross-border co-operation and the promotion of an integrated regional development between bordering regions.) The programme concerns the Land of Bavaria and its main priorities are the development of the economy on both sides of the border and better transnational co-operation. The total amount available until 2006 is Euro 127.6 million of which the EU finances about Euro 63.8 million. The remaining Euro 63.8 million comes from national and regional budgets and private funding.
Announcing the decision, Michel Barnier, Commissioner responsible for regional policy, said: „This programme focuses on the economic development of small and medium enterprises of the border regions and reinforces the EU-funding for Bavaria by adding a cross-border spatial development dimension. I am sure the programme will help to define common solutions for common problems on both sides of the border and demonstrate the European added value the programme has for the citizens of the region on both sides of the border.“
The programme has four priorities: – Economic development and enterprise co-operation Measures aim at supporting investments and cross-border activities, e.g. in the tourism sector. Projects to be funded could concern the development of common industrial sites, contact points for enterprises and the development of environment friendly leisure activities. (Community contribution: Euro 15 million).
– Infrastructure This priority concerns transport infrastructure in order to reinforce the accessibility of the region and its connections to trans-european networks. Projects could improve frontier points, environment friendly transport systems and networks of health, social and sports infrastructures. (Community contribution: Euro 16 million). – Spatial development and environment The protection and improvement of natural resources, sustainable energy systems, quality of water and waste treatment systems and other measures are at the core of this priority. (Community Euro 18.8 million).
– Human resources and networks Main activities concern regional co-operation in the field of education, training and culture and to safeguard and create new jobs. Projects could finance the testing of common training modules, language courses and strengthening the co-operation of training promoters. Networks might also concern co-operation on matters of security (Community contribution: Euro 11.5 million).
It is planned to spend another Euro 2.5 million of the Community contribution under the heading of technical assistance for programme administration, information and evaluation.
The funding available under „PHARE CBC“ in the border regions of the Czech Republic amounts to Euro 10.0 million of Community contribution for the period 2000-02. It reflects on the priorities as described above.
The programme will be managed by the Ministry for Economic Affairs, Transport and Technology of the Free State of Bavaria and monitored by regional committees working together on the selection of projects
The managing authority is:
Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Wirtschaft, Verkehr und Technologie
Referat III/5 Interreg
Postfach
D-80525 München
Tel. (0049) 89 2162-2207
Fax (0049) 89 2162-3207
E-Mail: Angelika.Fischer@stmwvt.bayern.de
Background With a budget of Euro 4.875 million (1999 prices) for the years 2000-06 the Community initiative INTERREG III aims to stimulate interregional co-operation in the EU and its border regions. It is financed under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). INTERREG programmes finance cross-border, transnational and interregional co-operation and projects to reinforce the economy, infrastructures, employment and the environment.
The Commission adopts bi- or multilateral programmes, which have to be proposed by national and regional authorities. On the Czech side funding is available under the PHARE programme and its allocation for cross-border co-operation („PHARE CBC“).
About 1.1 million inhabitants live on the Bavarian side of the border (main cities: Hof, Weiden and Passau) and about 0.5 million inhabitants live on the Czech side (main cities: Cheb, Karlovy Vary and Sokolov). The unemployment rate on the German side varies between 7.6% and 14.3% whereas between 4.6% and 8.6% are unemployed in the Czech border regions. The regional economy on the German side is more dependent on traditional industries (china, glass and textiles) than the average of Bavaria and could be further developed towards the service sector. On the Czech side the share of agriculture lies above the national average.
The infrastructure lacks both connections to certain parts of the region and tourism facilities. There is scope for developing the natural heritage and the tourism sector. Drinking water systems and former industrial sites need to be rebuilt.
For additional information on INTERREG III consult:
http://www.inforegio.cec.eu.int/interreg3
For additional information on PHARE CBC consult:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/enlargement/pas/phare/pt/cbc/crossborder.htm
