2014 General Assembly, CPMR Balkan & Black Sea Regional Commission

Transcript

1 2014 General Assembly, CPMR Balkan & Black Sea Regional Commission TRANSNATIONAL COOPERATION PROGRAMME BALKAN-MEDITERRANEAN , Margi Hotel, Edirne, Turkey

2 Background of the new Programme The initial proposal of the European Commission on the geography of the European Territorial Cooperation Programmes in the Programming Period provided for the split of the current South East Europe Operational Programme in a Danube Programme to cover the areas around the Danube river basin; and a South East Gateway transnational Programme to cover the the Adriatic, Ionian and related areas, which was later evolved into a transnational Adriatic-Ionian Programme, to cover the same geographic area as the respective Macro-regional Strategy. 01

3 Background of the new Programme On 03/10/2013 a joint letter, signed by the representatives of Albania, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Serbia, asking for the continuation of intensive cooperation in the geographical area of south-east Europe should be ensured with a new coherent transnational Programme, in parallel and in synergy with the Adriatic-Ionian and Danube transnational Programmes, was sent to the European Commission. 02

4 Background of the new Programme On 24/10/2013 a meeting on the subject was organized in Brussels, with the participation of the European Commission, Bulgaria, Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia, Albania, Greece and Cyprus. There was a general understanding that the new transnational Programme in the area should be focused on limited actions and ERDF funding would be between EUR 27 and 30 million, while IPA funds should be based on equal footing. 03

5 Focus of the new Programme The new Programme shall promote economic, social, environmental and institutional cohesion and development in the wider area by improving socio-economic competitiveness and institutional capacity in the regions. Its main thematic interests are focused on: Connectivity; Environment (water resources management); Entrepreneurship. 04

6 Background of the new Programme On 12/12/2013 the European Commission notified on the approval of an additional transnational cooperation programme, although only with a limited geographical scope including the following countries: Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece as EU Member States; Albania and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia as non-eu countries. 05

7 Facts of the new Programme The programming Task Force - consisted of members from the five (5) participating countries - has convened twice from the approval of the Programme by EC. The official name of the Programme was decided to be: Transnational Cooperation Programme Balkan-Mediterranean The Managing Authority of the Programme was unanimously approved to be the Managing Authority of European Territorial Cooperation Programmes, located in Thessaloniki, Greece. The Joint Secretariat is commonly agreed that should be located in Thessaloniki, Greece. 06

8 Use of flexibility rule for the new Programme The possibility for the participation of Partners from other countries remained open, under the condition of geographical coherence and integration and the acceptance of the thematic objectives of the Programme. Special reference was made to Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia & Herzegovina, which have expressed their interest from the beginning of the discussions, but also to Turkey and Kosovo. 07

9 State of Play of the new Programme 1 st Task Force Meeting ( ); Selection of Consultants on Programme Drafting, Strategic Environmental Assessment & Ex-Ante; 2 nd Task Force Meeting ( ); Completion of the 1 st phase of public consultation on the preparation of the new Programme on ; 08

10 Public Consultation process for the drafting of the new Programme The public consultation will take place in three (3) phases, aiming at stakeholders responding effectively to challenges and opportunities in the transnational area and establishing productive transnational cooperation in the new programming period. The experiences from the current programming period in the transnational area; The aspects to be improved and the added value in the programming period ; The current challenges, needs and development priorities in the transnational area. 09

11 Public Consultation: Phase A Phase A: Purpose: Identify the development needs of the transnational area/ assist in formulating programme strategy (thematic objectives) Timeline: Method (I): distribution of structured questionnaire Means: via internet Method (II): preliminary consultation (1 st round) by consultant Means: meeting locally (per country) 10 Target group: Selected groups of stakeholders (by invitation)

12 Public Consultation: Phase B Phase B: Purpose: Provide input for the specialization of the programme, the allocation of resources and the development of the quantified indicators system Timeline: Method: policy development workshops per country (2 nd round) Target group: selected stakeholders per country (by invitation) 11

13 Public Consultation: Phase C Phase C: Purpose: Comment on the specific programme provisions of the advanced Draft Operational Programme, SEA, Ex-Ante Timeline: Method: open public consultation Means: via internet Target group: General public (by announcement at websites and social media) 12

14 Identify target groups for each consultation phase Phase A: Selected groups of stakeholders Ministries; Regional Authorities; Approved Project Partners & Applicants of MED and South East Europe (SEE) Programmes Phase B: Selected stakeholders (limited number) Regional Authorities; Umbrella Organisations (i.e. Chambers, Municipality Unions, NGO s etc.). Phase C: General public 13

15 Next Steps for the new Programme Submission of the Final Programme, SEA & Ex-Ante by

16 Thank you for your attention! Nikoletta TATARI Programme Officer Balkan Mediterranean Transnational Cooperation Programme Unit B1' - "Management - Monitoring of the Programmes implemented in the Balkan Peninsula - Black Sea and the Interregional Programmes" ZEDA Building, 65, Georgikis Scholis Av., GR-57001, Thessaloniki, Greece - Τ: , F: ntatari@mou.gr INTERREG website: Follow us on Twitter: