1. Slovak Rural Areas and the EU Aid Jela Tvrdoňová, Nitra, 15.8.2007

2. What means „rural areas“ in Slovakia No official definition No official definitionBut 85% of total area of SR (cadasters) 85% of total area of SR (cadasters) 48% of population SR 48% of population SR 95,2% communities – which are not defined as cities. 95,2% communities – which are not defined as cities. Out of total number 2883 it is 2.745 communities Out of total number 2883 it is 2.745 communities

3. Were Slovak Rural Areas ready for the Pre-accession and Structural EU Aid? Pre-Accession Aid – slow take offlack of trust, information and necessary skills, in spite of that the Interest has grown gradually as follows: PHARE: (mainly CBC) – 204 projects out of total number 664 projects, in the volume of 55% of the total request 26.509.911 EUR SAPARD: 889 projects (without Measure food processing and technical assistance) in the volume 173.384.000 EUR

4. Pre-Accession Aid In total within the frame of Pre- accession Aid Slovak rural areas requested 64% of projects in total volume 221 Mil EUR (81% of financial request), Out of this request the majority of projects were submitted in SAPARD Program (the most of it were investments in agriculture holdings (40% of the total request for Pre- accession funds

5. Pre-Accession Aid Comparission of submitted projects in rural and non-rural areas – Pre-accession Funds

6. Pre-Accession Aid Financial requests of applicants from rural and non-rural areas – Pre-accession Aid (in EUR)

7. Were Slovak rural areas ready to absorp the EU Structural Aid? Structural Aid – increase of request, more information, and courage, some of applicants were applying to more programs,: JPD 2 BA – 37 out of total number of 71 projects, financial request 23.609.048 EUR, that means 42,3% Interreg III A – 68 out of 243 projects, total request – 12.232.243 EUR, that means 22% of the total request

8. Were Slovak rural areas ready to absorb the EU Structural Aid? Operational program – basic infrastructure OPZI – part of the Ministry of Regional Dev. – 1819 projects of the total number of 2485, in the financial request 377.646.080 EUR, that means 46% of the total request The majority of projects in the Measure – Renovation and development of villages (1128 v 1.kole), school infrastructure (502) and cultural infrastructure (166)

9. Were Slovak rural areas ready to absorb the EU Structural Aid? Plan of Rural development /PRV – Ministry of Agric. MP SR – 993 projects ( except of Measures food processing and TA) in the financial volume186.995.000 EUR Sector operational program for Agriculture AN Rural Development SOP PRV – the same MoA – 2.345 projects (except of Measures food processing and TA) in the requested volume 589.613.000 EUR

10. Structural funds In total within the frame of above mentioned instruments rural areas requested 77% projects in total financial volume 1.202 mil. EUR (69% from the total sum) from Structural funds

11. Structural funds Comparission of number of submitted projects to after accession EZ funds among rural and non-rural territories in the SR

12. Structural funds Financial request of applicants from rural and non-rural territories of the SR for Structural Funds ( EUR)

13. Were Slovak rural areas ready for Pre- accession and Accession Aid of the EU? It is possible to conclude: Rural areas requested from Pre-accession and Accession Instruments 1.423 Mil. EUR Rural areas requested from Pre-accession and Accession Instruments 1.423 Mil. EUR The most popular Measures were investment measures, on the other side so called soft measures supporting social or educational projects were much less popular The most popular Measures were investment measures, on the other side so called soft measures supporting social or educational projects were much less popular For one village the financial request represented 0,5 MEUR in average For one village the financial request represented 0,5 MEUR in average From the point of view of ratio of rural population to the total number of inhabitants (48,9%), the financial request of rural dwellers was – 66,2% out of total request 2.147.240.365 EUR, in number of projects it was 72% of the total amount of submitted projects From the point of view of ratio of rural population to the total number of inhabitants (48,9%), the financial request of rural dwellers was – 66,2% out of total request 2.147.240.365 EUR, in number of projects it was 72% of the total amount of submitted projects

14. New program period New approach towards policies New vocabulary, new understanding, new competences (Lisabon a Goteborg) Underlining of social pillar in bigger extent. Enfaces on partnerships and integrated approach in rural development Enfaces on the strategic approach in programming

15. Are Slovak rural areas ready for the new period? 14 public debates across Slovakia, more than 300 organizations participating Know rural areas „how to make“ projects? Know rural areas „how to make“ projects? Know rural areas what they need? Know rural areas what they need?  Integrated development and high quality strategic documents  Development of SME, economic diversification, ecological agriculture  modern infrastructure  Technologies for alternative energy sources  effective education and civil activities

16. Are Slovak rural areas ready for the new period? Does it know own solutions? Does it know own solutions? Economy, entrepreneurship  Micro-grants and micro-loans, incubators, advisory service for SMEs  Diversification for not only farmers  Finalization of production based on local resources, innovations and technologies  Land of unknown owners for villages Infrastructure  Small scale infrastructure  Internet  Housing Renewal

17. Are Slovak rural areas ready for the new period? Does it know own solutions? Does it know own solutions?Environment  ecological and bio-agriculture  Utilization and growing of alternative energy sources  Waste separation, composting  landscaping Integrated development  Definition of rural areas  Territorial planning, strategic planning  Communication among stakeholders  Support of local managers

18. Are Slovak rural areas ready for the new period? Does it know own solutions? Does it know own solutions? Human resources  Entrepreneurial and managerial skills and language skills  Training and education interconnected with practice  Civil activities Program of rural development 2007-2013  The support of partnerships and creation of local development strategies  Leader – integrated approach – involvement of all subjects  PRD – flexibil instrument enabling individual approach of using public funds

19. Are Slovak rural areas ready for the new period? Are RA able to approach development using the strategic instruments in partnerships? Are RA able to approach development using the strategic instruments in partnerships? Are regional self-government ready to help? Are regional self-government ready to help? Are RA ready for LEADER approach? Are RA ready for LEADER approach?

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21. Contact jelatvrdonova@yahoo.co.uk 0915709531