NPP concepts Kirsti Mijnhijmer 2nd September 2008 – Umeå, Sweden European Union European Regional Development Fund

Common Characteristics Geography Sparsely populated area / low population density Rurality, insularity, peripherality Low accessibility Environment Harsh climate and difficult terrain High quality but vulnerable environment Abundance of natural resources Threat of climate change

Common Characteristics Economical and social A flexible and skilled labour force Dependence on single economic activities and public employment Aging population and youth out-migration Rich cultural heritage Projects should especially focus on the characteristics of the programme area: rurality, peripherality, insularity

Joint Transnational Strategy

Priority 1 Promoting innovation and competitiveness in remote and peripheral areas i. Innovation, networks and competitiveness Objective: To promote competitiveness by increasing and developing the capacity for innovation and networking in rural and peripheral areas Examples: Exchange of best practice and cooperation networks between R&D and SMEs Transnational cooperation networks and knowledge transfer to develop existing and innovative products Cooperation and exchange of best practice between SMEs on how to reach markets with new and existing products ii. Accessibility Objective: To facilitate development by the use of advanced information and communication technologies and transport Examples: ICT to overcome distance ICT to modernise and innovate industries and businesses innovative solutions for transport infrastructure subject to harsh climatic conditions transport schemes that benefit rural communities, e.g. new maritime routes maritime safety in remote areas with arctic, harsh conditions the capacity to respond to and prepare for emergencies and natural disasters

Priority 2 Sustainable development of natural and community resources i. Environment as an asset in the periphery Objective: To strengthen the synergies between environmental protection and growth in remote and peripheral regions. Examples: Efficient and sustainable management and utilisation of resources Impact of climate change and means to reduce it at a community level Small scale renewable energy solutions ii. Urban-rural development and promotion of heritage Objective: To improve sustainable development in peripheral regions by strengthening urban-rural relations and enhancing regional heritage. Examples: Urban-rural partnerships for new service solutions Innovative provision of existing and new services in the periphery private, public and voluntary sectors cooperation to develop new and innovative service solutions for peripheral regions promotion of natural and cultural heritage that supports the development of sustainable industries

Project Setup 2 types of projects: Preparatory projects: to generate high quality main project applications Requirements:  >2 partner countries  Address programme priorities  Public match funding Main projects: to implement a project idea addressing the objectives of the programme Requirements:  >3 partner countries; at least one Member State  Eligible public match funding Budget Preparatory projects: max. €30,000 with a grant rate of 60% (up to €18,000) Main projects: between €250,000 and €1.5 million. Maximum €3 million Grant rate: 60% for Member States, 50% for Non Member States

Lead Partner Principle A Lead Partner should be nominated for both preparatory and main projects Role Lead Partner: Acting as link between the project partners and the programme Submitting the joint project application Overall responsibility for project coordination Formal beneficiary of ERDF funding Requirements for Lead Partners: Public or public-like organisations Located in a Member State, Norway or Iceland Sufficient admin and financial capacity to manage a transnational project

NPP Concepts Strategic concepts Innovative outputs of relevance for whole area Physical product or social capital and expertise Informs policy development Triple Helix Partnerships Cooperation between business, higher education and the public sector Core concepts Added value Transnational all projects if applicable strategic projects

NPP Concepts Strategic concepts Innovative outputs of relevance for whole area Physical product or social capital and expertise Informs policy development Triple Helix Partnerships Cooperation between business, higher education and the public sector Core concepts Added value Transnational all projects if applicable strategic projects

NPP Core concepts : Added Value NPP definition: All projects must make a distinctive contribution and add value by working together to produce a new product/service that has a transnational or transregional character. Projects must develop concrete, tangible and innovative products or services: Innovativeness Functionality Viability Methods of added value: Knowledge transfer Innovation Organisational learning Pure research projects not in line with NPP objectives

NPP Core concepts : Transnationality The NPP wants to ensure transnationality at all stages of project development. The partnership should be balanced. Mandatory: Main projects must involve a minimum of 3 partner countries one partner must be from an EU Member State Each project must address at least 3 of the 4 transnationality criteria: Joint development Joint implementation Joint staffing Joint financing In addition: Joint strategy for disseminating project results Transnational impact; project outcomes are implemented in different parts of the programme area

NPP Horizontal Principles: Equal Opportunities The horizontal principles must be incorporated in every project and at all stages Equal Opportunities: the prevention and elimination of discrimination between people on grounds of gender, marital status, cultural and social background, disabilities, age, sexual orientation, language or other personal attributes, such as religious beliefs or political opinions. Projects must describe how they have incorporated equal opportunities Projects must choose whether they are neutral or positive and justify this choice. For higher ranking, a project needs to demonstrate a contribution towards furthering equal opportunities in a broad context. Equal opportunities is not just about gender!

NPP Horizontal Principles: Sustainable Development Sustainable Development: Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Sustainable development is not just about the environment! It encompasses economic, social and ecological aspects. Projects must describe how they have incorporated sustainable development into the design of the project. Projects must choose whether they are neutral or positive and justify this choice. For higher ranking, a project needs to create a foundation for long-term sustainability and bring about beneficial economic, social and ecological impacts.

Alignment with European and Domestic Strategies NPP alignment with other strategies: The NPP priorities are guided by the Lisbon and Gothenburg Agendas. The NPP aims to complement and contribute to development strategies in the programme partner countries. Lisbon Agenda: making Europe “the most dynamic and competitive knowledge- based economy in the world” by Gothenburg Agenda: EU recognises “that in the long term, economic growth, social cohesion and environmental protection must go hand in hand”. Domestic strategies: relevant national, regional and local development plans and strategies. Projects must demonstrate how they contribute to these strategies.

NPP Concepts Strategic concepts Innovative outputs of relevance for whole area Physical product or social capital and expertise Informs policy development Triple Helix Partnerships Cooperation between business, higher education and the public sector Core concepts Added value Transnational all projects if applicable strategic projects

Triple Helix Partnerships Triple helix: The three different spheres of business, higher education and public institutions working together on new tasks and in new fields. These three spheres together, and not only by themselves, make it possible to obtain an enhanced outcome from the cooperation and invested capital, in the form of innovative new products and solutions. These partnerships are considered key to securing innovative solutions to many of the issues facing the NPP area. Triple helix partnerships are encouraged when appropriate. Two different models: partnership and context Community aspect: ensuring that end beneficiaries are located within the communities of the Northern Periphery.

NPP Concepts Strategic concepts Innovative outputs of relevance for whole area Physical product or social capital and expertise Informs policy development Triple Helix Partnerships Cooperation between business, higher education and the public sector Core concepts Added value Transnational all projects if applicable strategic projects

Strategic Concepts Strategic Projects: Projects that make a strategic contribution towards achieving the objectives and vision of the programme Features: Innovative outputs of relevance to whole programme area with a focus on peripheral regions Beneficial impact in terms of a physical product or social capital and expertise Involves cooperation at transnational, national, regional and local level to inform policy development Strategic calls: Strategic themes will be identified for each priority by the Monitoring Committee Specific calls will be held for strategic projects

For more information Regional Contact Points Programme Secretariat Documents: Programme Manual “Part 1: How to Apply” (Operational Programme) Programme website:

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