1. March 2007, Smolyan Angelos SANOPOULOS, Euroconsultants SA CROSS BORDER COOPERATION Bulgaria-Greece 2007-13 Experiences, Framework and New Operational Programme

2. Contents Cohesion policy 2007-2013 Regional Policy Objectives 1, 2 and 3 Structural Funds in Greece 2000-2013 Interreg IIIA BG/GR 2000-2006 The new ERDF regulation OP CBC BG/GR 2007-13 The EXINT Database

3. The framework for cohesion policy 2007-2013 Cohesion Policy thematic and geographical concentration, basic infrastructures, human capital, and research and innovation, including access to and strategic use of information and communication technologies. Up to the Member States to decide on the policy mix, However the contribution to the growth and jobs agenda is essential.

4. 3 new objectives 3 Objectives for the Structural Funds Convergence (new Objective One) Regional Competitiveness and Employment (new Objective 2) European Territorial Cooperation (new Community Initiatives)

5. Objective 1 Convergence Objective 1 (78% of the budget) key objective is to stimulate growth potential to maintain and achieve high growth rates basic infrastructure, Provision of services to enterprises, particularly SMEs; Improve access to finance; Promote RTD and innovation; Developing human resources; promoting the penetration, dissemination and take-up of ICTs.

6. Objective 2 Regional competitiveness and employment Objective 2 (18% of the budget) Objective is to anticipate and promote economic change by improving the competitiveness and attractiveness of EU regions through investments in knowledge economy, entrepreneurship, and research, university-enterprise cooperation and innovation; access to transport and ICT, energy, and health; environment and risk prevention; reinforcing participation in the labour market; and promoting social inclusion and sustainable communities.

7. Objective 3 territorial cooperation Objective 3 (4% of the budget) Objective is to promote stronger integration of the territory of the Union, in all its dimensions; reduces the “barrier effects” through cross-border cooperation; exchange of best practices; shared development strategies of the territories; networking of the key stakeholders; European added value.

8. Structural Funds 2000-2013

9. Structural Funds in Greece 2000-2013

10. Eligible Regions in Greece 2000-2013

11. The Governance Issue The issue of governance has different dimensions: Quality, performance of the public sector and the success of public policies; Capacity of Member States in managing and implementing the cohesion policy; Capacities of project holders to develop and implement high- quality projects; Quality of the partnership between all stakeholders

12. Interreg IIIA BG/GR 2000-2006 A short outline: approved by the European Commission in 2001; Total Budget of 250 MEURO ERDF, 150 MEURO PHARE Coordination of PHARE-CBC and ERDF; large number and diversity of the potential final beneficiaries

13. Interreg IIIA BG/GR 2000-2006

14. Performance until the 31/12/2005: 1. Cross-border infrastructure: 105 MEURO (68,15%); 2. Economic development and promotion of employment 0 EUR (0%) 3. Quality of life /environment / culture 5 MEURO (10,65%)

15. The New ERDF Regulation Thematic priorities for Objective 3, CBC: entrepreneurship, in particular the development of SMEs, tourism, culture, and cross-border trade; joint protection and management of natural and cultural resources as well as the prevention of natural and technological risks; links between urban and rural areas; reducing isolation through improved access to transport, information and communication networks and services, and cross-border water, waste and energy systems and facilities; collaboration, capacity and joint use of infrastructures in particular in sectors such as health, culture, tourism and education. legal and administrative cooperation, the integration of cross-border labour markets, local employment initiatives, gender equality and equal opportunities, training and social inclusion, and sharing of human resources and facilities for R&TD.

16. The New ERDF Regulation Joint Programmes: single managing authority; single certification authority (receiving and making payments to the Lead Beneficiary); single audit authority; joint technical secretariat; representatives from both states in the monitoring committee.

17. The New ERDF Regulation Joint Projects: include beneficiaries from at least two countries, which shall cooperate in at least two of the following ways for each operation: Joint development, joint implementation, joint staffing, and joint financing.

18. The New ERDF Regulation Responsibility of the lead partner: For each operation, a lead beneficiary; lay down the arrangements for its relations with the beneficiaries participating; responsible for implementing the entire operation; ensure proper expenditure; check validation by the auditors; responsible for transferring the ERDF contribution to the beneficiaries participating in the operation.

19. The New ERDF Regulation Reporting and Reimbursement: Pre-financing principle; Validation by auditor; ERDF co-financing; National Financing; Reimbursement; Reimbursement cycles and cash flow.

20. OP CBC BG/GR 2007-13 Process: Joint Task Force (MRDPW and MoF) Drafting Team; Ex-ante evaluation and Environmental Assessment; Public presentation (12.02.07); Submission to the Commission; Consultation and decision.

21. OP CBC BG/GR 2007-13 Objectives: To Promote the Cross-Border Area by Ensuring Regional Cohesion and Enhancing Competitiveness; A.Strengthening the Attractiveness of the Area by Upgrading the Quality of Life & Improving Accessibility Structures B.Enhancing Competitiveness by promoting entrepreneurship, establishing networks of cooperation and investing on human resources.

22. OP CBC BG/GR 2007-13 Priority Axis 1: Quality of Life – Upgrading and Management of Environmental & Cultural Assets, Health & Social Issues for the improvement of Quality of Life in the cross-border area and the welfare of its residents. Priority Axis 2: Accessibility – Improving the transport and communication networks and ensuring an easy and safe circulation of goods, services and people in the cross-border area. Priority Axis 3: Competitiveness & Human Resources - Stimulating entrepreneurship, investing in human capital and promoting research and innovation so as to increase competitiveness and boost the economic and social development of the cross-border area. Priority Axis 4: Technical Assistance – Aiming at supporting the overall management and smooth implementation of the Programme.

23. OP CBC BG/GR 2007-13 Priority 1, objectives: protect and promote the rich and diverse natural resources of the area as a vehicle for balanced and economic development promote cooperation in the cross-border area as regards common water management, waste management and risk management against natural and anthropogenic disasters promote and protect cultural assets and create cultural links in the cross-border area establish cooperation on health and social protection issues

24. OP CBC BG/GR 2007-13 Priority 1, AoI: Area of Intervention 1.1: Protection, Management & Promotion of the Environmental Resources; Area of Intervention 1.2: Protection, Management & Promotion of the Cultural Resources; Area of Intervention 1.3: Cooperation and Networking on Health and Social Welfare Issues.

25. OP CBC BG/GR 2007-13 Priority 2, objectives : improve the road and railway networks as a means of social and economic development of the cross-border area ease the safe and undisturbed mobility of goods, services and people in the cross-border area coordinate infrastructure initiatives at the cross-border area so as to boost its economic activity and ensure balanced spatial development.

26. OP CBC BG/GR 2007-13 Priority 2, AoI: Area of Intervention 2.1: Development of the road & railway network; Area of Intervention 2.2: Improvement of Cross Border Mobility.

27. OP CBC BG/GR 2007-13 Priority 3, objectives : use the restructuring of the economy as an opportunity for economic and spatial sustainable development invest on human capital as one of the most valuable resources of the cross-border area for promoting its economic activities stimulate entrepreneurship and integrate ICT and new technologies to all economic sectors as a vehicle for economic and social cohesion network research and economic activities so as to integrate innovation in the productive sectors of the economy foresee proactive initiatives as regards the open labor market to be faced by the cross-border area in a two-years time period

28. OP CBC BG/GR 2007-13 Priority 3, AoI: Area of Intervention 3.1: Support and Valorization of Human Resources – Support of Preparatory Actions in view of the Open Labor Market; Area of Intervention 3.2: Encouragement of Entrepreneurship & Actions that Cope with the Restructuring of the Economy; Area of Intervention 3.3: Promotion of Cooperation between research, technological and academic institutions and business organizations.

29. OP CBC BG/GR 2007-13 Budget: Total ERDF: 120 MEURO Priority Axis 1: 46% Priority Axis 2: 24% Priority Axis 3: 24% Priority Axis 4: 6%

30. OP CBC BG/GR 2007-13