The COHAB project from top to bottom Eric van Leenen Head of Project Management University College Sealand Klaipeda, 20 th September 2011

EU Regional policy The purpose of EU regional policy is to reduce the significant economic, social and territorial disparities that still exist between Europe's regions.

EU regional policy - financing European Regional Development Fund European Social Fund Cohesion Fund

European Regional Development Fund Convergence (objective 1) ERDF focuses its intervention on modernising and diversifying economic structures as well as safeguarding or creating sustainable jobs, Regional Competitiveness and Employment (objective 2) innovation and knowledge-based economy: strengthening regional capacities for research and technological development, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship and strengthening financial engineering notably for companies involved in knowledge-based economy; environment and risk prevention: cleaning up polluted areas, boosting energy efficiency, promoting clean public transport within towns and drawing up plans to prevent and limit natural and technological risks; access to transport and telecommunications services of general economic interest. European Territorial Cooperation (objective 3)

European Territorial Cooperation (= Interreg) development of economic and social cross- border activities; (Interreg A) establishment and development of transnational cooperation, including bilateral cooperation between maritime regions; (Interreg B) increasing the efficiency of regional policy through interregional promotion and cooperation, the networking and exchange of experiences between regional and local authorities. (Interreg C)

Interreg A,B,C 52 cross-border co-operation programmes along internal EU borders. ERDF contribution: 5.6 billion. 13 transnational co-operation programmes cover larger areas of co-operation such as the Baltic Sea, Alpine and Mediterranean regions. ERDF contribution: 1.8 billion. The interregional co-operation programme (INTERREG IVC) and 3 networking programmes (Urbact II, Interact II and ESPON) cover all 27 Member States of the EU. They provide a framework for exchanging experience between regional and local bodies in different countries. ERDF contribution: 445 million.

Territorial cooperation – Interreg Interreg programmes – aim: stimulating cross-border cooperation in the EU -divided into different strands, according to size and geographical span. There are A, B and C strands Interreg IVA = The South Baltic Sea Programme is an A- strand programme - Focus: encouraging and supporting cross-border cooperation in the South Baltic Sea area

150 km rule In previous programming periods most Interreg A programmes had land borders Opened up for new maritime Interreg A programmes

South Baltic programme area

South Baltic Programme The South Baltic Programme is working across coastal regions of 5 EU countries (Poland, Lithuania, Germany, Sweden and Denmark) to strengthen bonds, share experiences and develop new solutions to enhance the prosperity of local communities

Priorities and measures I Economic competitiveness 1.1. Entrepreneurial development 1.2. Integration of higher education and labour markets 1.3. Transport accessibility II Attractiveness and common identity 2.1. Management of the Baltic Sea environment 2.2. Energy saving and renewable energy 2.3. Sustainable use of natural and cultural heritage for regionaldevelopment 2.4. Local community initiatives

Programme funding Total budget of the Programme from the beginning was EUR The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) contribution from the beginning was EUR

Maximum co-financing rate 85% for Germany, Lithuania and Poland 75% for Denmark and Sweden

Funds from the beginning Measure ERDF allocation (EUR) 1.1. Entrepreneurial development 6,741, Integration of higher education and labour markets 6,741, Transport accessibility 8,988, Management of the Baltic Sea Environment 2,116, Energy saving and renewable energy 6,923, Sustainable use of natural and culturalheritage for regional development 10,385, Local community initiatives 5,192,898.75

Remaining funds after 6 calls 1.1. Entrepreneurial development 1.2. Integration of higher education and ,28 labour markets 1.3. Transport accessibility 2.1. Management of the Baltic Sea environment , Energy saving and renewable energy closed 2.3. Sustainable use of natural and cultural heritage for regional development , Local community initiatives ,14

50 projects and324 partners Denmark: 3 (20) Germany: 14 (59) Lithuania: 3 (41) Poland: 14 (96) Sweden:16 (108)

COHAB project – the process First meetings and negotiations in 2009 Almost submitted after the 5th call – may 2010 But….a partner pulled out last minute New meetings, partners and negotiations autumn 2010

COHAB project – the process Negotiations with JTS, november 2010 Application submitted, december 2010 Application approved, april 2011, but…. Clarifications approved, june 2011 Subsidy contract signed by Managing Authority and Lead Beneficiary, july 2011

COHAB project - partners 5 countries – 7 partners University College Sealand (Denmark) Linneaus University (Sweden), Klaipeda University (Lithuania), Rostock University (Germany), Adult Education Centre Storstrøm (Denmark), VIRTUS (Germany), The Medical University of Gdansk (Poland)

COHAB Coordination and integration of higher education and the labour market around the South Baltic Sea July 2011 – June 2014 Budget ,33 EURO ERDF financing ,33 EURO Co-financing EURO