1. Northern Periphery Programme General Introduction and Programme Status Christopher Parker and Rachel Burn August th 2010 – Copenhagen, Denmark
European Union
European Regional Development Fund

2. Background
Builds on successes Interreg IIIB Northern Periphery Programme:
Total allocated funding to projects €30.2 million
62 preparatory and 47 main projects
400 project partners
68% of all projects involved SMEs
Case study binder available
Shift to the new programme period:
Additions to the programme area
More funding available for projects: €45 million
Official name: Northern Periphery Programme
Operational Programme approved in September 2007

3. Available Funding Types of funding:
European Regional Development Funds (ERDF) for Member States
ERDF equivalent for Non Member States
Public/Public-like match funding
Amounts available:
€ million ERDF
€ million ERDF equivalent
€ million match funding
Total programme budget (incl. match funding): €90 million

4. Programme Area Regions in 9 programme partner countries
EU Member States:
Finland
Ireland
Northern Ireland
Scotland
Sweden
Non Member States:
Faroe Islands
Greenland
Iceland
Norway
Finland
Itä-Suomi, Pohjois-Suomi
Keski-Suomi
Ireland *
Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Galway, Mayo, Clare, Limerick, Cork, Kerry
Northern Ireland*
East of Northern Ireland, North of Northern Ireland, West and South of Northern Ireland
Sweden
Mellersta Norrland, Övre Norrland (only the 4 northern most counties Norrbotten, Vasterbotten, Jamtland and Vasternorrland)
Scotland
Highlands & Islands
Dumfries & Galloway*
North East Moray*
Faroe Islands
Entire territory
Iceland
Greenland
Norway
Finnmark, Troms, Nordland, Nord-Trøndelag, Sør-Trøndelag, Møre og Romsdal*, Sogn og Fjordane*, Hordaland*, Rogaland*, Svalbard*

5. Geographical Flexibility
Projects should always involve partners from within programme area BUT:
Up to 10% of programme funds may be used to finance expenditure incurred by partners located in adjacent regions in Russia and Canada.
Up to 20% of ERDF may be used to finance expenditure incurred by partners located outside the programme area but inside the European Union, and up to 20% of Norwegian funds may be used to finance expenditure incurred by Norwegian partners located outside the eligible programme area in Norway.
Use of geographical flexibility must be justified in the application
The criteria shall be applied as an exception
Only when it delivers a significant contribution to the benefit of the programme area that is not otherwise available.

6. 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

7. 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

8. Joint Transnational Strategy
Programme response to the area’s strengths and weaknesses
Vision:
Regions working innovatively together to help communities to develop the potential of Europe’s Northern Periphery, and to achieve a sustainable and high quality future, and so make a distinctive contribution to a more dynamic EU.
Vision to be realised by implementing the strategic objectives for each priority
Takes into account Lisbon and Gothenburg Agendas
Lisbon Agenda
Re-launched in Feb 2005 with aim of “delivering stronger, lasting growth and creating more and better jobs”
3 areas of action:
making Europe a more attractive place to invest and work
knowledge and innovation for growth
creating more and better jobs
Gothenburg Agenda
Agenda recognises “that in the long term, economic growth, social cohesion and environmental protection must go hand in hand”
Renewed Gothenburg Agenda has 7 key issues that are thought to pose the biggest challenges to sustainable development in Europe:
Climate change and clean energy
Sustainable transport
Sustainable Consumption and Production
Public health threats
Better management of natural resources
Social inclusion, demography and migration
Fighting global poverty
Horizontal principles:
Equal opportunities
Sustainable development
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
Sustainable Development
development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs

9. Priority 1 Promoting innovation and competitiveness in remote and peripheral areas
i. Innovation, networks and competitiveness
ii. Accessibility
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
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

10. Priority 2 Sustainable development of natural and community resources
i. Environment as an asset in the periphery
ii. Urban-rural development and promotion of heritage
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
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

11. 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
>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 Iceland, Faroe Islands and Norway. For Greenland 60%.
Preparatory Projects
Purpose → to generate high-quality main project applications, mobilise well-balanced partnerships and facilitate the development of joint project plans
Min requirement to have 2 contributing partners from 2 countries, an idea that addresses the programme priorities and eligible public match funding in place
Purpose of preparatory projects
· Assist with building suitable and well-balanced partnerships
· Facilitate the development of joint project plans that correspond to the objectives of the
programme
· Commit partners to their contribution to the project
· Reduce the risks associated with developing a main project application
Minimum requirements
· An eligible project idea
· 2 contributing partners from 2 countries
· Eligible match funding in place
· Completion of the specific preparatory project application form
Main Projects
Purpose → to implement a project idea that focuses on addressing the objectives and priorities of the Programme.
Min requirement to have 3 participating partners from 3 programme partner countries, one of which must be a member state, and to have eligible public match funding in place.

12. Current programme status – “ A Snap shot”
Overview
Where are we today?
Programme commitment level
Preparatory projects (seed money projects)

13. Programme Status – Programme commitment level
To date:
31 main projects and 25 preparatory project approved
In total 69% of programme budget available after the 5th call for main project applications
Programme partner country
Allocated to date
Total available in €
Member State ERDF
72% €
Priority 1
63% €
Priority 2
75% €
Faroe Islands
70% €
Greenland
50% €
Iceland
95% €
Norway
51% €

14. Preparatory projects
The NPP 2007 – 2013 Programme Monitoring Committee delegated authority to the Programme secretariat to approve preparatory projects and make funding decisions.
The Programme Secretariat has assessed 60 and approved 25 preparatory projects
Committed funds preparatory projects: € (Remaining € )
A call for preparatory projects from June 10th 2010 addressing project themes identified in gaps in the programme (and 6 themes currently partly covered).
In preparation for the Sixth Call, the definition of products and services has widened and alternative wording has been provided for a number of themes to facilitate a better understanding.

15. Contact Details – Programme Secretariat
Northern Periphery Programme Secretariat
Strandgade 91, 4. sal
DK-1401 Copenhagen K, DENMARK Fax:
Niclas Forsling – Head of Secretariat
Tel , mobile ,
Christopher Parker – Programme Manger for Project Development Support
Tel , mobile ,
Kirsti Mijnhijmer – Programme Manager for Information & Communication
Tel ,
Rachel Burn – Project Officer
Tel ,

16. Contact Details – Regional Contact Points
Norway
Sweden
Mr Tommy Nilsen Landsdelsutvalget Sjøgata 3 N Bodø Tel.: Fax: Website:
Mr Bernt Vedin Region Västerbotten Norrlandsgatan 13, Box 443 S Umeå Tel.: Fax: Website:

17. Contact Details – Regional Contact Points
Republic of Ireland
Northern Ireland
Mr Michael O'Brien BMW Regional Assembly The Square Ballaghaderreen County Roscommon Tel.: Fax: Website:
Ms Teresa Lennon SEUPB, EU House 6 Cromac Place Belfast BT7 2JB Tel.: Website:

18. Contact Details – Regional Contact Points
Finland
Iceland
Ms Paula Mikkola Regional Council of Lapland P.O. Box 8056 FIN Rovaniemi Finland Tel.: Mobile: Fax: Website:
Mr Þórarinn V. Sólmundarson Institute of Regional Development in Iceland Ártorg 1 IS Sauðárkrókur Tel.: Fax Website:

19. Contact Details – Regional Contact Points
Faroe Islands
Scotland
Mr Jakup Sørensen NORA (Nordisk Atlantsamarbejde) Bryggjubakki 12 Box 259 FO-110 Tórshavn Tel: Mob: Fax Website:
Ms Denise Pirie Highlands & Islands Enterprise Cowan House, Inverness Retail & Business Park IV2 7GF Inverness Tel: Website:

20. Contact Details – Regional Contact Points
Greenland
Mr Jan Mørch Pedersen Greenland Tourism and Business Council Hans Egedesvej 29 PO Box Nuuk Tel: Fax: Website:

21. For further information, please visit: www. northernperiphery
For further information, please visit: Thank you for listening!