Neighbourhood Programme

On 1st July 2003 the European Commission introduced the concept of the Neighbourhood Programme (NP) for the period 2004-2006, Paving the Way for a New Neighbourhood Instrument. The concept of the NP is to support the cross-border and transnational cooperation along the external borders of the EU in the framework of existing INTERREG programmes. All INTERREG programmes bordering Tacis countries operate as NPs with fixed financial allocations from Tacis programme (for partners from the Tacis countries).

The overall idea of the NP is to allow the joint projects (involving partners from the EU MS as well as partners from Russia/Belarus) to submit one application that will be jointly assessed and approved in regard to the project activities to be carried out on internal (EU) and external (Russia and Belarus) side of the border.

At the end of 2004 the European Commission approved allocations for the Neighbourhood Programme budget (Tacis CBC Action Programme 2004):

  • BSR INTERREG III B transnational priorities EUR 4 million (out of total indicative allocation of EUR 7.5 million)
  • III A "North" priority - EUR 1 million (out of total indicative allocation of EUR 7.5 million for both III A priorities)
  • III A "South" priority - EUR 1 million

For the first time the 8th call for proposals was opened in the framework of the Neighbourhood programme, which means that programme's external funding (Tacis) was made available for Russian and Belarusian partners under all available programme measures including the measure 3.2. on bilateral maritime cooperation. The call was opened on 25 July and closed on 23 September 2005. In addition, a possibility was offered to all programme projects that were approved in 6th and 7th round and that were willing to involve Russian and Belarusian partners in their activities to apply for external funding (Tacis).

In total during the 8th call Joint Secretariat received 64 applications, out of which 44 involved Russian and Belarusian partners. 10 projects were approved already in 6th and 7th call and during the 8th call applied only for Tacis funding to involve Russian and Belarusian partners in their project activities.

The Steering Committee approved 20 projects at its meeting in December 2005. Out of 20 approved projects 19 projects involves partners from Russia and Belarus, who will receive Tacis funding to implement their activities in the joint cooperation project.

EUR 4 million approved allocation of funds for the BSR INTERREG III B transnational priorities were committed. Therefore the launch on the 9th call depends on the availability of funds.

For more information concerning IIIA priorities please visit www.bsrinterreg3a.net.

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