1. “REGIO TAMAR – SELF-GOVERNMENTS ACROSS DIVIDES” project content presentation Monika Kapturska Director Wielkopolska Region Brussels Office

2. How the cooperation begun? August 2006 Successful projects at municipal level financed by the Polish Ministry of Foreign August 2006 Successful projects at municipal level financed by the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs: „Urban Management Courses”. February 2007 first Days of Georgian Culture in Poznań; May 2007 Tbilisi, international conference „Local Economic Development” Five days study visit. Delegation comprised representatives of:  Marshal Office of the Wielkopolska Region  City Hall of Poznań  Adam Mickiewicz University  Wielkopolska Chamber of Industry and Commerce

3. Outcomes of the study visit in Tbilisi 2007 Identification of possible fields of cooperation: Power stations Airports Food processing industry and agricultural products Development of infrustructure Renovation of schools, hospitals, public institutions Identification of further project possibilities: Identification of possible source of financing cooperation - Polish AID, program operated by Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs MSZ, Identification of prospective partners for further cooperation based on EU instruments (high technical and professional skills required)‏ Regio TAMAR – first version was submitted on May 2007, but without success

4. Development of the project „ Regio TAMAR- self governments across divides” - -submitted and implemented in 2008 thanks to co-financing of the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs; - -budget of the project approx. 70 300 EUR; - -soft project: transfer of know-how through training sessions, workshop, study visits and developing manuals - -Just about to start: the August conflict burst out

5. REGIO TAMAR TEAM Wielkopolska – –Department of Economy at the Marshal Office of Wielkopolska – –Information Office of the Wielkopolska Region in Brussels – –Communal Economic Development Association – –Partners „on demand” (City of Poznan, Wielkopolska Agency for Enterprise Development Ltd, PriceWaterHouseCoopers, …) Georgia – –Economic Development Agency of Tibilisi City Hall – –Mtskheta-Mtianeti Region – –SATMA Association

6. Content of Regio TAMAR (1) (1)Development of Business Support Infrastructure: Promotion of inward investment Investment potential study Investment offers Investors assistance Architecture of promotional events This activity has been implemented through the workshops „Investment Promotion of Regions” held in Poznan early November 2008.

7. Content of Regio TAMAR 1) 1)Elaboration of the concept for further co-operation Identification of current needs of Georgian self-governments Checking possibility of financing needs upon the ENPI and others sources Creation of concept model of further cooperation with Wielkopolska Region and others partners to be done in future Increasing the awarness of existing possibilities for cooperation between Georgian regions and municipalities and partners from EU

8. Actions undertaken: (1) (1)Developing a Handbook o ENP and ENPI for Georgian self-governments: – –3 language versions: EN, PL and GE; – –In co-operation with experts from the EC; – –First comprehensive study covering one Neighbourgood country and a specific target group – –Published on-line, free downloading at www.wielkopolska.eu

9. (2) Conducting a two day training session in Tibilisi for 60 administration officers: Workshops on: - Pillars of the European Union - Institutional system and procedures of decision making in the EU - European Neighbourhood Policy - Structure of ENPI - Presentation of the ENPI handbook - Grant Application Procedures

10. (1) (1)Preparing a study visit for 15 Georgian officers in Brussels (2) (2)Preparing a summary conference of the project at the CoR: "European Neighbourhood Policy - interregional cooperation as a road towards the efficient support to democratic transition process in Georgia. Summary conference of the project "REGIO-TAMAR, self-governments across divides", examplifying actions strenghtening collaboration between European and Georgian regions.„ Speakers: President od the CoR: Luc Van den Brande President of Wielkopolska: Marek Woźniak Member of the Cabinet of Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner: Michael Karnitschnig CoR’s Rapporteur on ENP: Sharon Taylor President of the Regional Committee at the Parliament of Georgia: Vano Khukunashvili Vice-Mayor of the Tbilisi: Mamuka Akvhvlediani

11. Results of the project: Impact Assessment on environment in Tbilisi and three selected regions in following fields : regional economy, human resources, institutional building of local and regional administration First study visit of Georgian representatives in Brussels First possibility to express the view of Georgian self-governments on the EU forum Decision on establishing a unit dealing with European projects in Tbilisi City Hall Developing around 60 project proposals that could be submitted by the City of Tbilisi

12. Successful management and overcomming unexpected risks: Conflict did not change the will to cooperate Videoconference between Vice Mayor of Tibilsi Mr. Akvelkiadni and Marshal of the Wielkopolska Region Mr. Woźniak New version of the project had to be delivered and approved- new components introduced: psychological assistance for IDP’s Co-operation more intense, short time

13. Next steps… Own initiative oppinion in the RELEX Committee of the CoR on development of the cooperation between local and regional self- government in Georgia and the EU with regards to the proposal of the European Commission on the Eastern Partnership to be delivered by the President of Wielkopolska Marek Woźniak in June 2009 ENPI interregional CIUDAD project wih partners from Georgia and Ukraine

14. Thank you for your attention!

15. Thank you for your attention! www.wielkopolska.eu