Belarus Denmark Estonia Finland Germany Latvia Lithuania Norway Poland Russia Sweden Summary remarks and final conclusions Thematic workshop on transport and ICT issues Lübeck, 8 December 2004

Summary of the event Thematic workshop combining elements of both partner search forum and quality workshop Major aim to investigate the absorption capacity in measure 2.2 for the upcoming round 59 participants, 15 project ideas presented 3 project development sessions held: (1) transport corridors and their impact on regional development, (2) freight flows, intermodality and motorways of the sea, (3) transport hazards, safety and policy-making The organisation of the event was appraised very good or good by 100%, topics at the workshop by 91% and project development sessions by 83% of the 23 participants who provided a written feedback to the workshop (questionnaire form) Lübeck, 8 December 2004

Outcome of project development sessions (1) Transnational composition of a team is a useful argument to convince national authorities on appropriateness of the project idea Acting together favours development of long-term confidence and mutual learning Important aspect of networking with the politicians and private sector – as project may turn to a success story having generated new business activities through co-operation and planned investments National authorities responsible for transport infrastructure recommended to have seats in project reference groups A need for creating standards in involving private sector representatives A highlight on investment stage in the project framework to demonstrate tangible effects of the INTERREG co-operation Lübeck, 8 December 2004

Outcome of project development sessions (2) Traffic flow and intermodality projects need better linkages to regional and spatial development, with data collecting not as an ultimate aim but rather a tool for initiating development processes Initiating new transport connections must be seen in the context of already initiated initiatives and projects to achieve synergy results Added value of ICT infrastructure projects due to its innovative and virtual character needs better justification, e.g. through application of ICT solutions in reconciliation of various activities (i.e. transport, off-shore wind energy, fishing, environmental protection etc.) in selected regions Lübeck, 8 December 2004

Final conclusions Presentations helped identify 4-6 mature project proposals capable of bidding upon the 7 th call Declared consumption potential of 5-6 M euro ERDF Open options for further actions – by means of initial project ideas Collaboration of the public and private sector addressed and likely to be achieved in at least two project proposals (by Baltic Development Forum and Baltic Sea Commission of CPMR) CBSS offering a political platform for INTERREG projects Joint Secretariat considering a screening procedure to identify investment potential of running INTERREG projects – in the context of smooth passage to the next programme Lübeck, 8 December 2004