First newsletter of the Italy-Tunisia Programme available online

You will find the short presentation of the 13 projects approved after the first call, information on the ongoing calls and the coming one as well as on the EU proposals regarding the next neighbourhood policy instrument. To download it, please click here.

Latvia-Lithuania-Belarus E-letter January 2012

The 10^th short E-letter of the ENPI CBC programme Latvia-Lithuania-Belarus - "Our Story" is now available for download here.

2011 Annual Brochure of the Joint Operational Programme “Black Sea Basin 2007 – 2013” is published

We are pleased to announce that the 2011 Annual Brochure of the Joint Operational Programme "Black Sea Basin 2007 - 2013" has been published. The brochure contains information on the progress registered in implementation of the Programme in 2011 as well as brief information on the Projects under Implementation. It can be downloaded from the Programme website.

Additional €26.4 million allocated to CBC Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme

The ENPI CBC Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme will benefit from an additional €26.4 million granted by the European Commission following the mid-term evaluation of the ENPI cross-border component, bringing the total budget of the programme to €200 million. For more information, please, visit ENPI-website.

December 2011 Newsletter for the Estonia-Latvia-Russia Programme

To download the newsletter, please click here.

Registrations to the Mediterranean Sea Basin events for the second call for standard projects

The Joint Managing Authority launched the registrations for the events organised in the framework of the second call for standard projects. The 10 events will offer ample opportunities for interested actors to get familiar with rules of the call, ask questions on the Application Pack, meet other organizations and share project ideas. All events are open to the participation of interested people from the whole cooperation area.

To register, please click here.

Conference announcing the second call for standard projects under the ENPI CBC Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme

On 20 December 2011, the Government of the Province of Barcelona, together with the Government of Catalonia, organised a conference announcing the launch of the second call for standard projects within the framework of the ENPI CBC Med Programme. 130 participants were present and came mainly from local and regional administrations, universities, research organisations, SMEs, and other public and private actors based in the territory. The conference was held in cooperation with the ENPI CBC Med Branch office for the Western Mediterranean in Valencia. Eduardo Lázaro, the Branch Coordinator, presented the call, introducing its main features and characteristics. Albert Sorrosal, RCBI expert in training for applicants, beneficiaries and partners gave the audience some advice on applying to such programmes. The conference was closed with a Q&A session.

Training workshop for Belarusian partners and lead partners of Baltic Sea Region projects

The training for Belarusian partners and lead partners of projects with Belarusian participation from the 2nd to the 4th calls for proposals takes place in Minsk on 21-22 February. To register for the workshop please visit the Programme website. You can also download here the agendas for two days (English and Russian), the invitation (English and Russian) and practical information (English and Russian).

ENPI budget of the Black Sea Basin Programme increased up to 25.7m Euro

The Joint Managing Authority of the Black Sea Basin programme announced in December 2011 that the European Commission decided to increase the financial allocation of the ENPI budget of the Programme with 1.499.726 Euro, making the current total allocation raise to 25.696.516 Euro ENPI funds. This increase is expected to lead to the selection of more projects in the current evaluation process.

Join the ENPI CBC Med mailing list

Do not hesitate to sign up to the programme mailing list to receive the latest news about the ENPI CBC Med Programme. Please click here to be included on the list.  

The list of signed contracts for standard projects under Italy-Tunisia now available

The Italy-Tunisia JMA published on the Programme website the list of contracts signed following the first call for strategic projects. 12 of the 13 contracts were signed on 7 November 2011; the last one was signed on 30 November 2011.

Latvia-Lithuania-Belarus November 2011 E-letter now available

The 9^th E-letter of the ENPI CBC Programme Latvia-Lithuania-Belarus "Our Story" is now available. Please click here to download it.

Estonia-Latvia-Russia November 2011 Fact Sheet

The Programme's November 2011 Fact Sheet has been published. It reflects on most important events within the Annual Conference of the Programme, which was held on 16 November in Saint-Petersburg. Please click here to download the Fact Sheet.

Information Officer vacancy with the Lithuania-Poland-Russia ENPI CBC Programme

The Centre of European Projects is searching for a candidate to Joint Technical Secretariat within the Lithuania-Poland-Russia  ENPI Cross-border Cooperation Programme 2007-2013 for the position of Information Officer. For more details, please click here.

Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme Newsletter

Joint Management Authority of the Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme has launched the first edition of its newsletter ENPI News Live, a new tool aimed at diffusing the state of play, results and opportunities of the Programme. For more information, please, visit the Programme website.

Practical guide to Belarus national requirements for implementing ENPI CBC projects now available

Comprehensive information on the national requirements and procedures to be followed in Belarus when implementing projects financed under the Poland-Belarus-Ukraine and Latvia-Lithuania-Belarus ENPI CBC Programmes and the Baltic Sea Region Programme is now available.

Called ENPI CBC Project Implementation in Belarus - A Guide to National Requirements in Belarus relevant for the implementation of projects financed under ENPI CBC Programmes, the guide was produced by RCBI and draws on the practical experience of national governmental bodies, regional and local authorities and NGOs in project implementation and financial management in Belarus.

This Guide will be particularly useful for ENPI CBC project Beneficiaries and Partners in Belarus. However it will also be helpful for ENPI CBC programme managers, ENPI CBC project Partners from outside Belarus and potential Applicants/Partners from inside and outside Belarus who need to understand what is required to implement projects in Belarus. Although designed for projects under ENPI CBC programmes, the Guide may also have information relevant for other international technical assistance programmes in Belarus.

Click here to download the Guide.

150 participants at Estonia-Latvia-Russia annual conference on 16 November 2011

150 participants gathered for the Estonia-Latvia-Russia Annual Conference and Contact Forum, Strategic Cooperation - United by Borders. Of these, around 80 took part in the Partner Search Point organized by the Regional Capacity Building Initiative. During the Conference, three Grant Contracts selected under the 1st call Projects were signed.

Click here for more information and for downloading the presentations.

Electronic Bulletin now available from the Romania-Ukraine-Republic of Moldova Programme

The Electronic Bulletin regarding to the launching of the second call for proposals under Joint Operational Programme Romania - Ukraine- Republic of Moldova 2007 - 2013 is now available here. The Guidelines for grant applicants can be found on the programme website.

Final version of RCBI ENPI CBC Project Implementation Manual avaialble - 27 October 2011

RCBI's Project Implementation Manual (PIM) - a guide for organisations implementing ENPI CBC projects in all participating countries -  is now available.

The PIM aims to give Beneficiaries and Partners a better understanding of the ENPI CBC rules and procedures so they can better launch and implement their projects. It will also be useful for potential applicants and partners wanting to know about the implementation process.

The PIM is a generic manual and each programme has its own specific rules. Use the RCBI PIM as a guide but please follow the actual requirements outlined in your grant contract and the specific rules for the programme which has financed your project.

Click here for the RCBI Project Implementation Manual or on the links below for the annexes (all in PDF). Programme staff wanting a 'Word' version, please contact info@rcbi.info.

Annex A - Simplified example of budget and planning
Annex B - Internal control checklist
Annex C - Accounting system checklist
Annex D - Bank reconciliation template
Annex E - Cashflows reconciliation template
Annex F - Model of timesheet
Annex G - Financial reporting checklist
Annex H - Procurement checklist
Annex I - Documentation checklist

Estonia-Latvia-Russia Programme Conference organised on 16 November 2011

The Annual Conference and Contact Forum Strategic Cooperation - United by borders is held in Saint-Petersburg on 16 November 2011. For more information, please click here.

First projects of the Estonia-Latvia-Russia 1st Call for Proposals approved by the Joint Monitoring Committee are approaching contracting

During the 4th meeting of the Estonia-Latvia-Russia Programme Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC), held on 20-21 June 2011 in Jurmala, the JMC approved 25 project applications, submitted within the 1st Call for Proposals. Till now for 6 projects the conditions set by the JMC have been fulfilled and they are finally approved. These projects will be processed for signing the Grant Contract with the Joint Managing Authority.

As informed before, information on the 1st Call for Proposals beneficiaries will be published gradually, after contract with each beneficiary is signed. List of all accepted projects and beneficiaries will be available for the public after contracts with all beneficiaries are signed.

First coordination meeting for Mediterranean Sea Basin docu-mags project - JOUSSOUR

The first coordination meeting of the JOUSSOUR project, co-funded by the European in the framework of the Mediterranean Sea Basin ENPI CBC Programme and managed by the Autonomous Region of Sardinia (Italy), took place on 14 October 2011 at the ASBU (Arab States Broadcasting) headquarters in Tunis.

The project will co-produce 12 docu-mags realized by young professionals from the Euro-Mediterranean region for both television and web with the aim of enhancing audiovisual cooperation and informing the general public of the environmental challenges existing in the Mediterranean cross-border regions.

This multicultural project is coordinated by the Permanent Conference of the Mediterranean Audiovisual Operators (COPEAM) and regroups the following partners:

• ASBU- Arab States Broadcasting (Tunisia)
• Public Broadcasting Services Limited (Malta)
• RAI-Radiotelevisione Italiana / RAI Educational (Italy)
• EBU - European Broadcasting (Associated Partner)

The project has a 24-month duration and a total budget of €497,044 of which €447,290 (90%) is funded by the MSB programme. Click here for more information.

Baltic Sea Region October newsletter available now

The October issue of the newsletter from the Baltic Sea Region Programme comes with the following highlights:

• Six new projects approved by the Monitoring Committee
• Joint ETC conference - a successful start for future cooperation
• Programme funds almost exhausted

For the newsletter, click here.

Latvia-Lithuania-Belarus ENPI CBC Programme E-letter

The 8^th E-letter of the ENPI CBC programme Latvia-Lithuania-Belarus "Our Story" is now available. Please click here to download it.

A Photographer's Handbook: One picture can say more than a thousand words

Photographs are a very effective means through which EU-funded projects can visualise their activities. They can show actions, people, successes, outcomes etc. And apart from the obvious accompaniment to press releases and for publications, they can be used in different ways, from an exhibition, to a calendar, to a slide-show on a website. But their angle and quality should be effective. 

To help photographers take good photos of projects, the ENPI Info Centre has produced a Photographer's Handbook, in English, French, Arabic and Russian. To download it, please visist the ENPI Info Center website.

Please complete a survey on Partner Country participation in ENPI CBC programmes

RCBI is making a survey of ENPI CBC applicants, partners and beneficiaries from the EU's neighbouring countries and Russia following the calls for proposals by all programmes.

If you are an applicant, partner or beneficiary from one of the counties listed below, please will you fill in the questionnaire and return it to info@rcbi.info or +380 322 354 866 by 5 October 2011. If possible, please complete the form in English or French.

The information you give us will be taken into account when planning support for subsequent calls for proposals and the new programmes from 2014. All information will be treated as anonymous.

The EU neighbouring countries currently participating in ENPI CBC include: Armenia, Belarus, Egypt, Georgia, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Rep of Moldova, Palestinian Authority, Russia, Tunisia and Ukraine.

Click on the following languages to download the questionnaire: English, Russian, Arabic, French.

The administrative check is ongoing for Mediterranean Sea Basin strategic projects

The administrative check of the Concept Notes submitted within the Mediterranean Sea Basin call for strategic projects is ongoing. An acknowledgement of receipt was sent by email to the legal representative and contact person (only if indicated in the Concept Note) of each applicant organisation.

For any further information, please visit the Programme website.

Signature of 9 grant contracts for the Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme

The Joint Managing Authority of the Mediterranean Sea Basin ENPI CBC Programme is pleased to announce that 9 contracts, awarded under the first call for standard projects, have been signed with grant Beneficiaries.

The negotiation phase with the other selected projects is proceeding. 

For more information, please visit the Programme website.  

First Grant Contract signed on 1 September for Latvia-Lithuania-Belarus ENPI CBC Programme

The Joint Managing Authority of the Latvia-Lithuania-Belarus ENPI CBC programme signed the 1st Grant Contract of the programme on 1 September 2011.

The project aims at strengthening the security in the border-control points on the Lithuanian-Belarusian border through installing the equipment needed for the check of electronic travel documents and the personal identification of biometric data. Also, the entry-exit control system will be improved. The budget of the project is over 1.6 mln. Euro.

The Grant Contracts with the remaining 17 projects approved for EU funding during the 1st Call for Proposals are in process of preparation for signature.

For more information, please visit the Programme website.

Latvia-Lithuania-Belarus ENPI CBC Programme E-letter published in September 2011

The 7^th E-letter of the ENPI CBC programme Latvia-Lithuania-Belarus "Our Story" is now available.

Please click here to download it.

E-support now available online for Black Sea Basin applicants and partners

Are you completing an application for funding under the Black Sea Basin ENPI CBC programme or are you a partner in an application? Online help is now available 24/7 for applicants and partners in all countries participating in the Black Sea Basin programme.

The e-support for ENPI CBC project identification and development covers topics such as filling in an application form, completing the project budget and finding ENPI CBC partners. Project management and implementation support for beneficiaries and partners is coming soon.

To access the e-support, click here. On the Home page, create a new account with a username and password. Please only create one account. When you are logged in, click on Project Identification and Development in the bar at the top of the page to access the e-support modules.

South-East Finland-Russia CBC projects approved for funding under second Call for Proposals

The Joint Monitoring Committee approved 20 projects and allocated €13,2 Mio for the cross border cooperation development including all three priorities of the South-East Finland-Russia ENPI CBC Programme. The final results of the selection process will be forwarded to the Grant Applicants in the beginning of October 2011.

For more information, please visit the Programme website.

Fifth Newsletter of the Black Sea Basin Programme published in July 2011

The Fifth Newsletter of the Black Sea Basin ENPI CBC Programme 2007-2013 is now available. Highlights include the current status of the programme, information on the events for the second call for proposals, information on the new Joint Technical Secretariat, useful programme tools and upcoming events.

You can download the newsletter here.

Follow-up project management training workshop held for Hungary-Slovakia-Romania-Ukraine beneficiaries and partners

A first follow-up project management training workshop was organised in May 2011 by RCBI, jointly with the JTS and JMA, for Hungary-Slovakia-Romania-Ukraine ENPI CBC Programme beneficiaries and partners awarded projects under the programme first call for proposals. The event was held 6 months after the delivery of an initial training at the start of the implementation of the projects in November 2010.

More than 200 beneficiaries and partners from all four participating countries took part in the event held in Uzhgorod, Ukraine. The objective of the training was to support the project managers in their financial management in view of the approaching first report to the programme bodies.

More information and presentations of the training are available on the programme website.

6th E-letter of the ENPI CBC programme Latvia-Lithuania-Belarus available now

To download the E-letter, please click here.

Contracting Procedure concluded for the first Call of the South-East Finland-Russia programme

The contracting procedure of the first Call for Proposals has been concluded in July 2011. Altogether 12 projects were funded of which the publication list is available below.

Please click here to download the Publication List.

Poland-Belarus-Ukraine JTS seeks two project managers - deadline 5 August 2011

The Center of European Projects is searching for candidates for two positions with the Joint Technical Secretariat for the Poland-Belarus-Ukraine  ENPI Cross-border Cooperation Programme 2007-2013. The postions are Project Manager responsible for Programming and Financial Project Management and Project Manager responsible for Programming and Project Management. 

For more infromation, click here.

Poland-Belarus-Ukraine Call for Assessors - deadline 16 August 2011

On behalf of the Ministry of Regional Development of Poland acting as the Joint Managing Authority for the Cross-border Cooperation Programme Poland-Belarus-Ukraine 2007-2013, the Joint Technical Secretariat (hereinafter JTS) of the Programme, is launching the Call for Assessors.

The purpose of the Call is to identify and qualified and experienced professionals to join the Programme's Pool of Assessors to be set up for project assessment.

The Assessors selected within the framework of this Call will be involved in the assessment process for the project applications submitted under the Cross-border Cooperation Programme Poland-Belarus-Ukraine 2007-2013. Please note that assessors selected before (in 2010), do not have to apply again.

The deadline for submission of applications is 16 August 2011.
For more info, please click here.

RCBI Information Workshop held in Israel for the Mediterranean Sea Basin Call for Strategic Projects

Around 50 participants attended the RCBI Information Workshop on the Call for Strategic Projects for  the Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme held on 13 June 2011 in Tel Aviv, Israel. The event had the presence of representatives of the JMA, the Antenna in Aqaba, the National Contact Point and the EU Delegation.

There was a presentation on the results of the first call for proposals, with special emphasis on the success of Israeli applicants and partners, as well as a detailed presentation on the coming call for proposals and how to find partners and build a good proposal.

Second newsletter of the Estonia-Latvia-Russia ENPI CBC Programme available on-line now

The newsletter is available for download here.

The main topics in the newsletter include:

• More than 200 project applications received during the 1st Call for Proposals
• Steps forward in the projects evaluation 
• Large Scale Projects
• New Branch Offices are open in Russia
• How to build up efficient partnership?
• The Programme languages dictionary
• Meet the JTS team!

Baltic Sea Region Programme Newsletter June 2011

To download the Baltic Sea Region Programme newsletter for June 2011, please click here 

Highlights:

• Eight new Baltic Sea Region cooperation projects
• Joint Transnational Cooperation conference website online
• Energy cluster to start up

The ENPI CBC MED Programme is looking for assessors in charge of projects evaluation

The Joint Managing Authority of the ENPI CBC Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme has launched a call for expression of interest for the set up of a roster of technical experts (assessors) in charge of the evaluation of project proposals. The roster is valid only for the ongoing call for strategic projects which focus on the 6 following topics:
 

• Agro-food industry
• Sustainable tourism
• Integrated Coastal Zone Management
• Water management
• Waste treatment and recycling 
• Solar energy

 

The deadline for sending applications is set on 1 July 2011.

All the necessary information on the call for experts are available on the Programme website.

Vacancy for a Project Manager with Estonian language

Vacancy for a Project Manager with Estonian language for the Estonia-Latvia-Russia ENPI CBC Programme

For more information, please visit the Programme website.

Contracting of the fist call concluded for Karelia ENPI CBC Programme

The contracting of the first call for proposals has been concluded in May 2011. Altogether 11 projects, of which eight has a Finnish and three a Russian lead partner and all falling under the theme, Cross-border solutions for sustainable spatial, economic and environmental development, of the first call were funded. The sum made available for the call, 4.8 million EUR, was fully contracted.

To read more, please visit the Programme website. 

Information events held for the call for proposals for strategic projects of the Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme

More than 60 participants attended two information events for the call for proposals for strategic projects of the Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme, held in Amman (Jordan) on 9 May and in Ramallah (Palestinian Authority) on 11 May 2011.

Representatives from JMA and the Antenna in Aqaba with the collaboration of RCBI experts presented the main features of the call for proposals.

The programme has developed an innovative Concept Note in Acrobat Reader that will reduce eventual mistakes in filling in the form which might have led to a rejection in the administrative phase.

The participants had a presentation on the support mechanisms for partner finding and on the 6 topics of the present call. The topics are: agro-food, sustainable tourism, integrated coastal zone management, waste management, water management and solar energy.

Latvia-Lithuania-Belarus ENPI CBC Programme E-letter published in May 2011

The 5^th E-letter of the ENPI CBC programme Latvia-Lithuania-Belarus "Our Story" is now available.

Please click here to download it.

Consultation paper on the future of ENPI CBC Programmes

Following the request of the European Commission and of the European External Action Service, INTERACT ENPI project is launching a consultation excercise on the future of ENPI CBC.

The purpose of this consultation round is to provide the European Commission and the EEAS with recommendations, based on the experience of practitioners, in view preparations for the new draft ENPI II Regulation. For this purpose, INTERACT ENPI and an expert group have prepared a consultation paper/questionnaire which will be sent to all relevant ENPI CBC stakeholders at the beginning of May. The deadline for completing this questionnaire will be 10 June 2011.

You can see the consultation paper here.

Launch of the official website for the Italy-Tunisia ENPI CBC Programme

The Joint Managing Authority of the Italy-Tunisia ENPI CBC Programme is glad to inform that the official website is now online. Please visit http://www.italietunisie.eu/ for more information.

Requests for funding near €100 million under Hungary-Slovakia-Romania-Ukraine ENPI CBC call for proposals

Evaluation process of 260 projects submitted under the second Call for Proposals of the Hungary-Slovakia-Romania-Ukraine ENPI CBC Programme 2007-2013 is still ongoing. The total amount of financing requested by applicants in the submitted project proposals approaches 100 million EUR, which is seven times more than the available ENPI allocation within the first Call.

To read more, please visit the Programme website.

CBC project offers expertise to promote Belarus city of Grodno as 'city-museum'

An international conference on how best to promote Grodno, in Belarus was recently held in the city. The two-day seminar, which involved experts from Poland, Lithuania, Norway and Latvia and included a city study tour and workshops, was organised by the Trans in Form (TiF) project, part of the EU-funded Baltic Sea Region Programme 2007-2013.

Poland-Belarus-Ukraine: First ENPI CBC Large Scale Project agreement signed on 19 April 2011

Agreement on co-financing the construction of a border checkpoint at Polowce-Pieszczatka was signed today within the framework of the Poland-Belarus-Ukraine ENPI CBC programme 2007-2013. A new modern border checkpoint for light and heavy vehicles and buses will be built contributing to enhanced security and strengthened borders.

This is the first agreement signed on co-financing a large-scale cross-border project within the framework of ENPI CBC. 

Click here for more information.

The Baltic Sea Region Programme seeking a Project Officer for the Rostock office by 30 May 2011

The Joint Technical Secretariat of the Baltic Sea Region Programme is looking for a Project Officer with several years of relevant professional experience. The new colleague will support the implementation of transnational projects, in particular the monitoring of projects' implementation. The job can be started as soon as possible and will end on 31 December 2013. Deadline for sending applications is 30 May 2011.

For more information click here to download the job announcement.

€2,900,275 additional ENPI funding allocated to the Black Sea Basin ENPI CBC Programme in March 2011

The Joint Managing Authority of the Black Sea Basin ENPI CBC Programme 2007-2013 is pleased to announce that in March 2011 the European Commission agreed to allocate an additional €2,900, 275 to the ENPI budget of the Programme bringing the ENPI budget allocation to €24,196,790.

Click here for more information.

Mediterranean Sea Basin JMC to discuss call for Strategic Projects on 13-14 April 2011

The fourth meeting of the Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC) will be held in Marseille on 13 and 14 April. Among others, the JMC will be called to discuss the Terms of Reference and the Application Pack of the coming call for strategic projects.

According to the Annual Work Programme for Grants published on the programme website on 30 March 2011, the call for strategic projects should be launched in May and will focus on Priorities 1 and 2 including the 6 following topics:

Priority 1

• Agro-food industry
• Sustainable tourism based on the preservation and enhancement of cultural and natural heritage
• Integrated coastal management including maritime safety

Priority 2

• Waste treatment and recycling
• Water management
• Solar energy

The call will be a two-step procedure structured as follows:
1. Concept note
2. Full Application Form (to be asked only to those preselected concept notes).

Facebook: let's meet in the EU Eastern Neighbourhood in Russian

The ENPI Info Centre gets social in Russian. You can now join the new Facebook Page in Russian, become a "fan", repost your favourite news on your profile, post comments, ask any question and join the conversation with other readers.

If you are not familiar with social networks, don't worry, all information and news in Russian will continue to be fully displayed on the ENPI Info Centre website.

‘Like' us in Russian on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/enpi.eu

Tender for project evaluation services for Estonia-Latvia-Russia open until 28 March 2011

The open tender for External Expert Services for Evaluation of Project Applications to Estonia-Latvia-Russia Cross Border Cooperation Programme 2007-2013 within European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument has been announced. The deadline for the submission of applications is 28 March 2011.

More information can be found on the programme website.

Kolarctic information seminars organised in March and April 2011

Information seminars on 2nd call for proposals will be organized during March-April 2011 in Finland, Sweden, Norway and Russia, as detailed below. The seminars will start at about 9-10 local time and end at 15-16. More information, please visit the programme website.

Murmansk - 28 March 2011

Haparanda - 29 March 2011

Luleå - 30 March 2011
Bodö - 4 April 2011

Kemijärvi - 4 April 2011
Tromsö - 5 April 2011
Saariselkä / Ivalo - 5 April 2011
Hammerfest - 7 April 2011

Archangelsk - 12 April 2011

Naryan Mar - 14 April 2011

Latvia-Lithuania-Belarus announces 162 applications in the second call for proposals in March 2011

162 applications were received during the 2^nd Call for Proposals for the Latvia-Lithuania-Belarus ENPI CBC Programme, requesting a total amount of €75 million of EU funds. 112 applications have Lithuanian organisations as applicants (lead partners), 36 applications were submitted by Latvian applicants and 14 applications came from Belarusian applicants.

For more details on the applications, please click here.

Two more Estonia-Latvia-Russia Branch Offices operational since March 2011

Two more Branch Offices of the Joint Technical Secretariat of the Estonia-Latvia-Russia programme are operational in Russia since March 2011. The newly opened Branch Offices are located in St. Petersburg and Pskov. For more information on the offices, click here.

Poland-Belarus-Ukraine Programme newsletter available now online

To download "The Crossborderer Winter 2010/2011" edition of the Poland-Belarus-Ukraine ENPI CBC Programme newsletter, please click here.

March issue of the Baltic Sea Region Programme newsletter available online

The March issue of the newsletter from the Baltic Sea Region Programme includes the following highlights:

• Cluster initiative on energy launched
• Joint conference of all Transnational Cooperation programmes, September 2011
• 4th call for projects open until 31 March

To download the newsletter, please click here.

Romania-Ukraine-Rep. of Moldova is recruiting JTS staff - deadline 18 March 2011

The Regional Office for Cross Border Cooperation is searching for candidates to fill in the positions of: 3 Monitoring/Implementation Officers, 1 IT and MIS - ETC Expert, 1 Assistant Manager and 1 Financial and Technical Assistance Officer.  Deadline for submission of applications is 18 March 2011.

For  more details please click here.

The Latvia-Lithuania-Belarus ENPI CBC Programme asks for help in assessing its communication - 25 February 2011

The Latvia-Lithuania-Belarus ENPI CBC Programme is assessing its communication activities that it uses in order to reach its objectives. Could you please spend 5 minutes to assess this? This way you will help to improve the future communication and impact of the Programme.

For the questionnaire please click here.

Briefing on ENPI CBC programmes for Russian officials held on 27 January 2011

A capacity building briefing on ENPI CBC programmes for the representatives of the Russian federal and regional level authorities was held on 27 January 2011 in the premises of the Ministry of Regional Development of the Russian Federation, Moscow. 

The event was organized by RCBI in close collaboration with the Russian Ministry of Regional Development, INTERACT ENPI and in consultation with the ENPI CBC programmes, with the objective to provide the officials with better understanding on ENPI CBC, what it aims to achieve and how it is managed.

Please click here to download the materials.

Black Sea Basin: comments requested on draft Application Pack by 18 February 2011

The draft Application Package for Grant Applicants for the second Call for Proposals has been published for public consultation. You can send comments and observations until the 18th of February 2011 at the following e-mail address: blacksea-cbc@mdrt.ro.

For more details please click here. 

Lithuania-Poland-Russia ENPI CBC Programme Annual Work Plan for 2011 online since 7 February 2011

The document "Work Plan of the Joint Managing Authority" contains priorities and measures of the Programme, basic rules on eligibility, indicative information on the number and sums foreseen for the calls for proposals in year 2011.

For more details and the document please click here.

Recruitment of a project manager for the Joint Technical Secretariat in Riga - 28 January 2011

The Estonia-Latvia-Russia Cross Border Cooperation Programme is looking for a Project Manager with the specific focus on large scale infrastructure projects for work at the Joint Technical Secretariat in Riga, Latvia.  Deadline for applying is 17.00 hours, Monday, 7 March 2011.

For more details please click here.

Four project preparation workshops were held in Belarus 17-21 January 2011 for the Latvia-Lithuania-Belarus 2nd call for proposals

Latest Black Sea Basin newsletter now available on line

The fourth Black Sea Basin ENPI CBC programme newsletter is now available on the programme website. Highlights include the annual conference, RCBI support, programme progress, and info on the EU strategy for the Black Sea and Romania's BSEC chairmanship-in-office.  Click here to read more.

Latvia-Lithuania-Belarus ENPI CBC Programme Newsletter

To download the Latvia-Lithuania-Belarus ENPI CBC Programme newsletter, please click here.

Launching of the public procurement procedure for experts for the functioning of the Joint Technical Secretariat of the Black Sea Basin Programme

The public procurement procedure for selecting the experts for the JTS has been launched. Please check the News section on the programme website for more information.

Lead Applicant Seminar for the Baltic Sea Region Programme

The Baltic Sea Region Programme opened the 4th call for project applications from 1 December 2010 till 31 March 2011. In order to learn how to get funding from the Programme the Lead Applicants or those who work on project ideas and plan to apply for funds are encouraged to participate in the Lead Applicant seminar. The event will take place in Riga/Latvia on 19-20 January 2011.

The 4th call is restricted to flagship projects and selected specific topics - please check the announcement note here. Therefore the main target group of the Lead Applicant seminar are applicants whose project idea comply with the focus of the 4th call.

The first day of the seminar will help the Lead Applicants to prepare an application and provide answers to open questions. The individual project consultations will be offered on the second day.

You will find the invitation & practical information, agenda and the project idea form here.

Register for the seminar online here. Deadline for registering for the seminar is 7 January 2011. For more information please contact Ms Alke Voß, Communication Officer av@eu.baltic.net.

Project management training for Hungary-Slovakia-Romania-Ukraine Programme

A first project management training workshop was organised by RCBI, jointly with the JTS and JMA, for Hungary-Slovakia-Romania-Ukraine ENPI CBC Programme beneficiaries and partners awarded projects under the programme first call for proposals.

More than 150 beneficiaries and partners from all four participating countries took part in the event held in Uzhgorod, Ukraine in November 2010. The objective of the training was to develop a better understanding of what is needed to successfully launch and implement ENPI CBC projects.

More information and presentations of the training are available on the programme website.

Estonia-Latvia-Russia ENPI CBC Programme 1st Call for Proposals of the Programme closed on 29 November 2010

Submission of project proposals for the 1st Call for Proposals for the Estonia-Latvia-Russia ENPI CBC Programme 2007-2013 closed on 29 November 2010. Available EU funding for the 1st Call Grant Applications is €23,648,491. For more details please click here.

Black Sea Basin ENPI CBC Programme 2007-2013 annual conference held in Thessaloniki on 25 November 2010

More than 150 people from the eight countries participating in the Programme took part in the Black Sea Basin ENPI CBC Programme Annual Conference combined with a Partner Search Forum in Thessaloniki, Greece on 25 November 2010. For more details click here.

Estonia-Latvia-Russia ENPI CBC Programme Call for External Assessors

The open tender for External Expert Services for Evaluation of Project Applications to Estonia-Latvia-Russia Cross Border Cooperation Programme 2007-2013 within European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument has been announced.  The deadline for the submission of applications is 13 December 2010. Read more!

Joint Monitoring Committee of the Poland-Belarus-Ukraine ENPI CBC Programme decided to approve the list of 21 projects

During its 3rd meeting which took place on 23-24 November 2010, the Joint Monitoring Committee of the Poland-Belarus-Ukraine ENPI CBC Programme decided to approve the list of 21 projects which shall be funded within the 1st Call for Proposals. Total funds exceed budget allocated for the 1st Call.

The Joint Technical Secretariat shall contact directly all the Applicants to transfer details concerning their applications. Read more!

Estonia-Latvia-Russia ENPI CBC Programme 1st Newsletter now available on-line

The 1st Newsletter of the Estonia- Latvia- Russia ENPI CBC Programme is available on-line now. Read more!

Project preparation workshop held in Petrozavodsk for Karelia ENPI CBC Programme

78 potential applicants and partners from Russia took part in a workshop on preparing project application for the Karelia ENPI CBC programme. The workshop was held in Petrozavodsk, Russia on 2 November 2010. For materials delivered at the event, please click here.

RCBI information events for Kolarctic ENPI CBC Programme

RCBI has held project planning and management training in Russia during November. The materials presented the events can be downloaded by clicking on the links below (part of the slides are in Russian).

From project idea to project proposal.pdf (471.0 kB) 

Logical framework.pdf (1225.0 kB)

Project budget.pdf (215.0 kB)

Project partners.pdf (277.0 kB)

September 2010 INTERACT Newsletter

The September 2010 INTERACT Newsletter celebrating 20 years of Territorial Cooperation is now available for download here.

Three branch offices operational for the Romania-Ukraine-Republic of Moldova ENPI CBC Programme

Three branch offices  of the Joint Technical Secretariat are now operation following signatures on service contracts with the Regional Office for Cross Border Cooperation in Suceava.

The branch offices are located in Chisinau, Odessa and Chernivtsi. Their main purpose is to publicise the programme and give reliable information to the potential applicants and beneficiaries located in all participating countries regarding funding opportunities. Click here for more information and contact details for the Branch Offices.

Partner agreement signed in Uzhgorod at the Partner Forum of the Hungary-Slovakia-Romania-Ukraine Programme

A Partner Forum of the Hungary-Slovakia-Romania-Ukraine programme was held on 29^th July in Uzhgorod (Ukraine). The event aimed at supporting potential applicants and partners in the exchange of project ideas and building partnerships for the second call for proposals that had recently opened (it was open until 26^th October 2010).

The event was a success with almost 200 participants and showed a big interest and motivation to participate in the programme by potential applicants and partners of the four participating countries. The event allowed the set up of an important number of partnerships for the joint application of project proposals. On top of the participants present at the event, around 40 projects ideas were received by e-mail or prepared during the event. There was at least 1 partner agreement, signed at the Forum.

The list with contact details of all participants, together with the project ideas, will be soon available on the programme's web site.

Lithuania-Poland-Russia project preparation workshops held in July 2010 in Kaliningrad and Gusev

Two RCBI Project preparation workshops for the 1^st call for proposals of the Lithuania-Poland-Russia ENPI CBC Programme were successfully carried out Kaliningrad (28th July, 110 participants) and Gusev (29th July, 36 participants).

This Programme had the highest sum of funding among all other ENPI CBC Programmes and attracts special attention to its results from both EU and Russian sides. The feedback from the participants and representatives of Kaliningrad oblast on the added value of the event is very high and it proves the absolute necessity of the follow-up information event to take place before the deadline for applications submission.

More information about this event (photos, presentations) can be found at the programme's web page.

Latvia-Lithuania- Belarus ENPI CBC programme regional trainings for potential applicants and partners in November and December

With the launch of the 2nd Call for Proposals on 4  November, seminars are planned to be held in all Programme regions. Click here for the preliminary schedule for the seminars.

Invitation to the 2nd Poland-Belarus-Ukraine ENPI CBC Programme Partner Search Forum

The Joint Technical Secretariat of the Poland-Belarus-Ukraine ENPI Cross-border Cooperation Programme 2007-2013 is inviting potential applicants and partners to take part in the 2nd Partner Search Forum in Lviv on 14 December 2010. Click here for more information.

Assistance for finding partners in Belarus for the Latvia-Lithuania-Belarus Programme

Should you be interested in finding partners in Belarus, please contact the Tacis National Coordinating Unit in Belarus.

Contact person: Ms. Iryna Bylina, e-mail: irynabylina@tut.by, tel. +375 17 200 67 48.

Karelia ENPI CBC Programme Call for Proposals postponed

The Joint Monitoring Committee of the Karelia ENPI programme decided on its meeting on 11th November to postpone the opening of the call for proposals for the tourism related projects. The Monitoring Committee will decide about the opening of the call once it has made a decision about budgeting of the large scale projects. In practice the call will not be opened before February 2011. Click here for more details.

First South-East Finland-Russia ENPI CBC projects approved

The South-East Finland-Russia ENPI CBC Joint Monitoring Committee approved 12 projects and allocated €9.8m for cross border cooperation development covering all three priorities of the Programme. The final results of the selection process will be notified to the Grant Applicants in December. The JMC also approved the launch of the second open call from 17 January 2011 to 15 April 2011.

Read more in the Press release dated 15 November 2010.

Joint Monitoring Committee of the Black Sea Basin ENPI CBC programme approves the list of projects to be financed

The Joint Monitoring Committee of the Black Sea Basin ENPI CBC programme (JMC) approved the list of projects to be financed at their meeting held in Bucharest on 3-4 November 2010. The final results of the selection process are expected to be communicated to Applicants by the end of this month. The Joint Monitoring Committee also decided to increase the amount of the ENPI funds allocated to the first call from €3,311,369 EUR to €5,873,760.

For more details please click here.

More news: The Black Sea Basin ENPI CBC programme 2010 Annual Conference will be held in Thessaloniki, Greece on 25 November 2010. For more information, please click here.

The ENPI CBC Med Programme is looking for a financial officer

The ENPI CBC Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme is looking for a financial officer within the Joint Technical Secretariat. Deadline for sending applications is set on 22 November 2010. All relevant information can be found here.

Call for Assessors for the Lithuania-Poland-Russia ENPI CBC Programme

The Joint Technical Secretariat of the Cross-border Cooperation Programme Lithuania-Poland-Russia 2007-2013, on behalf of the Joint Managing Authority, has launched the Call for Assessors.

The purpose of the Call is to identify and select qualified and experienced professionals to join the Programme's Pool of Assessors to be set up for project assessment. The deadline for submitting the applications is 30 November 2010, as evidenced by the date of dispatch, the postmark or the date of the deposit slip. 

The relevant information concerning the Call is published on the Programme website. 

Black Sea Basin Joint Operational Programme Annual Conference in Thessaloniki, Greece, on 25 November 2010

If you are interested in finding out the last developments in the implementation of  the  Black Sea Basin Joint Operational Programme and to discuss about future cooperation in the area, you are invited to attend the Programme Annual Conference in Thessaloniki, Greece, on  25 November 2010.

The Conference is adressed to the potential beneficiaries (representatives of national, regional and local authorities, non-Governmental Organisations, researchers and academics), as well as to the representatives of mass media, of the European Commission and other stakeholders active in the Black Sea Basin.

For more information please check the Programme website.

The Joint Technical Secretariat Branch Office of the Poland-Belarus-Ukraine opened in Lviv

The Joint Technical Secretariat Branch Office of the Poland-Belarus-Ukraine ENPI CBC Programme opened in Lviv on 28 September 2010. Please click here to download a special edition of the Programme newsletter, which was published especially for this occasion.

Lithuania-Poland-Russia ENPI CBC PROGRAMME ANNUAL CONFERENCE - 12 OCTOBER 2010

The Joint Technical Secretariat of the ENPI Cross Border Cooperation Programme Lithuania-Poland-Russia 2007-2013 is organising the Programme Annual Conference which will be held in Sopot, Poland (place of venue TBC), on 12 October 2010.

The main aim of the conference is to inform potential beneficiaries and general public about the current stage of the Programme implementation: the first call for proposals and planned Programme activities. In order to apply for the Annual Conference please fill registration form in and send it to e-mail address: malgorzata.pieczonka@cpe.gov.pl. Deadline for sending registration form is 29 September 2010.

For more information please check website of the Programme.

Estonia-Latvia-Russia ENPI CBC Programme information seminars dedicated to the first call for proposals

320 Russian potential applicants and partners received information from the JMA and JTS of the Estonia-Latvia-Russia ENPI CBC Programme 2007-2013 and from the RCBI project regarding the first call for proposals of the programme. The seminars took place on 15 September in St. Petersburg, on 16 September 2010 for the Leningrad oblast and on 17 September 2010 in Pskov.

RCBI follow-up information workshop for the Lithuania-Poland-Russia programme clarifies technical issues for 83 Russian participants in Kaliningrad

83 Russian potential applicants and partners received support from RCBI experts in Kaliningrad on 17 August 2010. This open event aimed to answer the concrete questions and difficulties participants faced in filling in the application form (in particular log frame and budget) when submitting proposals for the Lithuania-Poland-Russia ENPI CBC programme. Participants were also reminded of the programme website official Q/A section!

The Baltic Sea Region Programme newsletter, September 2010

Highlights of the September issue:

• Nine new Baltic Sea cooperation projects selected on 16 September
• Finland's President Tarja Halonen will open the Baltic Sea Region Programme conference "The power of the Baltic Sea macro-region" in Jyväskylä, 30 November - 1 December. Registration started
• Featured project: Eco-Region

You can download the full version of the Newsletter here.

Vacancy with the Lithuania-Poland-Russia Joint Technical Secretariat

The Joint Technical Secretariat of the ENPI CBC Programme Lithuania-Poland-Russia is seeking a Project Manager responsible for Programming and Project Management as well as a Project Manager responsible for Programming and Financial Project Management.

The deadline for submission of applications is 30 September 2010.

The relevant information is published on the Programme website.

RECRUITMENT BY THE JOINT TECHNICAL SECRETARIAT FOR THE POLAND-BELARUS-UKRAINE ENPI CBC PROGRAMME

The Joint Technical Secretariat of the Cross-border Cooperation Programme Poland-Belarus-Ukraine 2007-2013 is recruiting a Project Manager responsible for Programming and Financial Project Management. 
 

Applications must be submitted before 24 September 2010. For more information, please download the announcement by clicking on the link above.

The Cross-Border Cooperation: The Russian Federation, The European Union and Norway 4th annual conference

The fourth annual conference will be held in St Petersburg on 21-22 September 2010.

Please click here for more information.

Partner Search Forum for the Latvia-Lithuania-Belarus ENPI CBC Programme

The second Partner Search Forum of the Latvia-Lithuania-Belarus ENPI CBC Programme is planned to be organised in Latgale region of Latvia on 4 November 2010.

Further information and registration forms will be available soon on the Programme website.

Good attendance at 4 successful Hungary-Slovakia-Romania-Ukraine Information-Project preparation events despite bad weather

On 20-23 July 2010, four information events were held together by RCBI and the JTS of Hungary-Slovakia-Romania-Ukraine ENPI CBC Programme. For the first time, the information events were organised not only in the regional centres for eligible regions, like Uzhgorod and Ivano-Frankivsk, but also in the district centres of Yaremcha and Rakhiv.

Despite the bad weather conditions, 222 representatives of eligible and adjacent regions (Ivano-Frankivska, Zakarpatska and Chernivetska oblasts) participated in the events. Paticipants, including decision makers, were mostly interested in the information part of the events and people actually working on the project preparation, who actively participated both in the information and in the practical part, focussed on developing project strategies to address identified problems.

Recruitment by the Joint Technical Secretariat for the Poland-Belarus-Ukraine ENPI CBC Programme

The Joint Technical Secretariat of the Cross-border Cooperation Programme Poland-Belarus-Ukraine 2007-2013 is recruiting a Project Manager responsible for Programming and Project Management and an Office Administrator.

Applications must be submitted before 3 September 2010. For more information, please download the announcements by clicking on the links above.

Mediterranean Sea Basin ENPI CBC Programme recruits 4 thematic experts

In the framework of the definition of the Terms of Reference for the first call for proposals on strategic projects, the Mediterranean Sea Basin ENPI CBC Programme recruits 4 thematic experts in the fields of Integrated coastal management; Waste treatment and recycling; Water management; and Solar energy.

The deadline for sending the applications has been extended until Friday, 20 August 2010.

For more information, please visit also the Programme website.

Looking for partners? Partner search forum for Hungary-Slovakia-Romania-Ukraine CBC Programme

Still searching for suitable partners? Potential applicants for ENPI cross-border cooperation projects under the Hungary-Slovakia-Romania-Ukraine ENPI CBC Programme are being invited to a partner search forum to be held in Uzhgorod, Ukraine on 29 July.

To read more, click here.

Five ENPI CBC programmes ratified by the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation

On 16 July the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation ratified the five ENPI CBC programmes, Kolarctic, Karelia, SE Finland-Russia, Estonia-Latvia-Russia and Lithuania-Poland-Russia. The five programmes were ratified in one Bill jointly presented by Maxim Travnikov, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Regional Development and Alexander Kozlovsky, Deputy Chairman of the Committee of International Affairs.  For more information on the ratification (in Russian), click here.

The law was adopted by the Council of Federation of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation on Monday 19 July 2010 and will come into force following signature by President Medvedev and official publication. For more details (in Russian), click here.

New cross-border projects launched with Ukrainian partners

Three new cross-border projects funded by the EU under the Hungary-Slovakia-Romania-Ukraine ENPI CBC programme will tackle infant mortality, create a cross-border industrial park and contribute to the development of biomass energy.

To read more, click here.

The Joint Managing Authority for the Italy-Tunisia ENPI CBC Programme launches a call for assessors

The Joint Managing Authority for the Italy-Tunisia ENPI CBC Programme is launching a call for assessors to identify and select a pool of qualified and experienced professionals and thus to ensure a proper technical and quality evaluation of the proposals submitted under this Programme.

The deadline for sending applications is 30 August 2010. Additional information or clarifications can be obtained from e-mail: bartolo.vienna@regione.sicilia.it; italiatunisia@regione.sicilia.it.
 
The documentation can be downloaded here.

Baltic COMPASS project approved by Belarusian government

The Belarusian authorities have approved the Baltic COMPASS project, funded by the EU through its Cross-Border Cooperation Baltic Sea Region Programme. A press release from the Programme said this was the first project among eight with Belarusian partners, selected in the second call for proposals, that had successfully gone through the internal approval procedure in Belarus.

To read more please click here.

Signature of the first ENPI Grant Contracts

On Wednesday 14 July 2010 the first grant contracts within the ENPI CBC Programmes will be signed in Chust, Ukraine for Hungary-Slovakia-Romania-Ukraine Programme. For more information, click here.

More information on the ceremony of the signature and pictures about it can be found here. 

Project Idea Café and Annual Conference for the Baltic Sea Region Programme

The Joint Techical Secretariat of the Baltic Sea Region Programme invites you to the Project Idea Café and the 18th BSSSC Annual Conference in Tallinn, Estonia on 12-14 October 2010. You can find more practical information at the conference website.

The Baltic Sea Region Programme newsletter, June 2010

The highlights of June issue are:

• Ten new projects selected
• Interviews with project partners: Finnish Environment Institute and Maritime Institute in Gdansk
• Project: BalticClimate
• Programme conference in Jyväskylä
• Project Idea Café in Tallinn

You can find full version of the Newsletter on the Programme website. 

Call for Assessors for the Black Sea Basin ENPI CBC Programme

The Joint Managing Authority for the Joint Operational Programme Black Sea 2007-2013 is launching a Call for Assessors in order to identify and select qualified and experienced professionals for establishing a pool of assessors and thus to ensure a proper technical and quality evaluation of the proposals submitted under this Programme.

The deadline for receiving applications is the 20 May 2010 at 13:30 hours, at the headquarters of the Romanian Ministry of Regional Development and Tourism in Bucharest.

Additional information or clarifications may be requested from:

Ms. Dana Onofrei, counselor, Operational Department, Joint Managing Authority, email: dana.onofrei@mdrt.ro

Mr. Leonard Enescu, counselor, Public Procurement Department, email: leonard.enescu@mdrt.ro

The deadline for receiving requests for clarification from potential applicants is 12 May 2010 at 12:00 and the deadline for receiving answers to clarification requests is 14 May 2010. The answers to clarification requests shall be published on the programme's website at www.blacksea-cbc.net/ and on the SEAP website www.e-licitatie.ro/ at Notices/Contract notices (no.99303/03 May 2010), section documentation and clarifications for the notice of the call.

Please click here for downloading the award documentation.

Third issue of the Latvia-Lithuania-Belarus ENPI CBC Programme E-letter

The third issue of the E-letter of the Latvia-Lithuania-Belarus Cross-border Cooperation Programme within the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument 2007-2013 is now available. Please click here to download it.

Vacancy for a Finance Officer at the Joint Technical Secretariat's Rostock office - closure date 31 May 2010

Baltic Sea Region Programme secretariat is looking for a new colleague supporting the preparation and implementation of transnational projects, in particular the monitoring of financial reports. The job can be started as soon as possible. The new colleague will be employed to replace one of the Finance Officers being on parental leave, so the contract will end on 31 December 2011. The candidate shall have a relevant university degree and proven experience with administration of EU-funded programmes.Candidates are requested to send their CV, a Motivation Letter and their expectation towards the annual gross salary by e-mail to info@eu.baltic.net. All documents shall be submitted in English language.

Closing date is Friday, 31 May 2010.

For more information see eu.baltic.net/Vacancies.937.html.

Poland-Belarus-Ukraine ENPI CBC Programme Newsletter, No. 2 of April 2010

In this issue:

- First results of the First Call
- 3 in 1: Partner Search Forum, Launching Conference and the 2nd Joint Monitoring Committee in Lviv
- Summary of Annual Work Programme of the Joint Managing Authority in year 2010
- Trainings in Ukraine and Belarus
- New contact list of the Joint Technical Secretariat

Please click here to get full newsletter from the Programme web-site.

Information on the schedule and indicative amounts to be made available for the 2010 Calls for Proposals

Information on the schedule and indicative amounts to be made available for the 2010 Calls for Proposals have been published in the Annual Work Programme for Grants on the programme websites. Click on the name of the ENPI CBC programme below to go to the relevant website.

Kolarctic
Karelia
South-East Finland/Russia
Latvia/Lithuania/Belarus
Hungary/Slovakia/Romania/Ukraine
Italy/Tunisia
Black Sea Basin
Mediterranean Sea Basin

Baltic Sea Region Programme newsletter, March 2010

The highlights of this newsletter issue are:
- 61 applications received in the 3rd call
- Interview with the Member of European Parliament Wojciech Olejniczak on macro-regional strategy
- Strategic project: TransBaltic
- Review on the latest Programme events

To download the newsletter please go to the Programme website.

Call for Proposals closed for the Karelia ENPI CBC Programme

The first phase of the first call for proposals of the Karelia ENPI CBC Programme closed on 17 March 2010. Within the deadline 52 concept notes were submitted to the JMA. For more details, please visit the Programme website.

Second issue of the E-letter of the Latvia-Lithuania-Belarus ENPI CBC Programme

Please click here to download the 2^nd issue of the E-letter of the Latvia-Lithuania-Belarus Cross-Border Cooperation Programme within the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument 2007-2013.

If you want to be on the recipients' list, please, send an e-mail to giedrius.surplys@enpi-cbc.eu stating "News, please" in the "Subject" field. You can also subscribe for the news on http://www.enpi-cbc.eu/ (Subscribe for news). 

Inside this issue: 

- Deadline of the 1st Call for Proposals and What's Next

- Brochure "How Neighbours Were Creating History"

- 1st Round Trainings

- 2nd Round Trainings: JTS Information Days and RCBI Information Days 

- Questions and Answers Guiding Table

- Last Tips

- EuropeAid News

- Competition - Prophet of the Programme!!!

Partner Search and Project Idea Database available now on the Hungary-Slovakia-Romania-Ukraine ENPI CBC Programme website

The Partner Search section is intended to give potential Applicants/Partners the opportunity to publish a short description of their project idea on the official website of the Hungary-Slovakia-Romania-Ukraine ENPI CBC Programme with the aim of finding new partners.

The database is searchable online via specifying the kind of organizations you are looking for by country/region, type of organisation, priority and measure. Shortly after the submission of a project idea, the JTS team will send you a notification of the successful registration and inclusion of your project idea into the database.

Please keep in mind that the project ideas displayed on the Partner Search section have not been assessed by the Programme managing structures. The Joint Managing Authority/Joint Technical Secretariat is not responsible for their content and does not guarantee for their eligibility. The database is only for information and contact purposes, to allow you to develop your project before submitting to the JTS.

Besides, please note that this publication does not substitute in any case the official submission of projects for any opened Calls for Proposals.

If you would like to be included in the database or to make a search, please click here.

BSR Information and Partner Forum Minsk, 18 February 2010

Presentations by Belarus project partners successful in the Baltic Sea Region's first and second calls for proposals was one of the most popular sessions at the BSR Information and Partner Forum conducted by RCBI and the Programme JTS in Minsk on 18 February 2010.

Almost 200 people took part in the event including some representatives from Estonia, Germany, Latvia and Lithuania. Participants received information on the programme and the third call for proposals, had their questions answered by the JTS representatives, exchanged project ideas and found partners.

Click here for the materials presented at the event or visit the Belarus page on the BSR website.

Information event in Petrosavodsk for the launch of the Karelia programme

A wide audience from the eligible regions in Russia were informed about the launch of the Karelia ENPI CBC programme and the first call for proposals at an event in Petrozavodsk on 11 February 2010.

The event was attended by more than 170 people representing all target groups covered by the programme priorities and eligible to be project partners. Materials delivered at the event are available on the programme website (in Russian).

Partner Forum for the Poland-Belarus-Ukraine programme gathered over 220 participants in Lviv, Ukraine

More than 220 potential applicants and partners from Belarus, Poland and Ukraine gathered in Lviv on 26 January 2010 to exchange project ideas and discuss project proposals, in the framework of the current call for proposals open until 1 March 2010.

Over 100 project ideas were presented and discussed during the event, and many partnerships were initiated. Participants also had a chance to ask questions and receive clarifications from the Poland-Belarus-Ukraine ENPI CBC programme Joint Technical Secretariat. Answers are being published on the programme website www.pl-by-ua.eu.

Information events organised by Kolarctic, Karelia and South-East Finland Russia Programmes

Over the coming month, three programmes will organise events to support the calls for proposals. Please click below to see the relevant Programme web pages.

Kolarctic ENPI CBC

Kirkenes, Norway, 18 January 2010

Saariselän tunturihotelli, Saariselkä, Finland, 19 January 2010  

Kaupungintalo, Kemijärvi, Finland, 20 January 2010

Folkets Hus, Kiruna, Sweden, 20 January 2010

Scandic Hotel, Luleå, Sweden, 21 January 2010

Sverigefinska folkhögskolan (Swefi institute), Haparanda, Sweden, 26 January 2010

Murmansk, Russia, 26 January 2010

Arkhangelsk, Russia, 2 March 2010
Naryan-Mar, Russia, 4 March 2010
 

Karelia ENPI CBC

Oulu, Finland, 4 February 2010

Kajaani, Finland, 9 February 2010

Joensuu, Finland, 10 February 2010

Petroskoi, Russia, 11 February 2010

 

South-East Finland-Russia

Lappeenranta, Finland, 21 January 2010

Kouvola, Finland, 22 January 2010

Mikkeli, Finland, 26 January 2010

St. Petersburg, Russia, 4 and 5 February 2010

Second Black Sea Basin Programme Newsletter now available

The Joint Managing Authority of the Joint Operational Programme Black Sea 2007-2013 has published the second newsletter with the following headlines:

-Good bye 2009!
-Welcome 2010!
-INTERACT's contribution
-RCBI's contribution

Click here to download the newsletter.

Financing Agreements signed in December 2009

On 16 December, Belarus signed the Financing Agreements for the two trilateral Programmes it is participating to, namely Latvia-Lithuania-Belarus and Poland-Belarus-Ukraine.

Ukraine also signed the Financing Agreements for all the CBC ENPI Programmes - Poland-Belarus-Ukraine, Romania-Ukraine-Moldova, Hungary-Slovakia-Romania-Ukraine and Black Sea Basin - on 24 December 2009, while Azerbaijan signed for the Black Sea Basin ENPI CBC Programme also in December.

Successful Partner Forum for the Italy-Tunisia Programme

A Partner Forum organised by RCBI for potential applicants and partners from the Italy-Tunisia ENPI CBC programme was held in Tunis on 21 December. The event also launched in Tunisia the first call for proposals, which will be open until 1 February 2010.

The event was a success with almost 200 participants who showed a great interest and motivation to participate in the programme. In addition to those present, around 40 projects ideas were received by e-mail from other potential applicants from Tunisia and Italy.

Many new partnerships were formed, not only between partners from Tunisia and Italy but also between two or more organisations from Tunisia. In some cases draft partnership agreements were drawn up and work plans made for developing and submitting project proposals. Project ideas presented at the event, with the corresponding contact details, are currently available on the programme website. 

First issue of the E-letter of the Latvia-Lithuania-Belarus ENPI CBC Programme

The first issue of the E-letter of the Latvia-Lithuania-Belarus Cross-border Cooperation Programme within the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument 2007-2013 was launched. This E-letter is issued once every three months.
 

Periodical E-shots will be sent once there are important news related to the Programme.
 

If you want to be on the recipients' list, please, send an e-mail to giedrius.surplys@enpi-cbc.eu stating "News, please" in the "Subject" field. You can also subscribe for the news on http://www.enpi-cbc.eu/ Subscribe for News section.

Inside this issue:

- Announcement of the 1st Call for Proposals
- Trainings foreseen
- Everyday information, assistance and equal treatment

- Partner search

Launching event for the Italy-Tunisia ENPI CBC Programme

The launching event of the Italy-Tunisia programme was held last 24 November in Trapani (Sicily, Italy). The event was also the launching in Italy of the first call for proposals, which will be open until 1 February 2010.

The event was a success and showed a big interest and motivation to participate in the programme by Italian potential applicants and partners. JMA announced that a Partner Forum organised by RCBI will be held in Tunis by mid-December, where both Italian and Tunisian institutions will have the opportunity to agree partnerships for proposals.

European Neighbourhood Policy in action: launch of cross-border co-operation programmes with Russia

The EU and Russia have signed Financing Agreements for five cross-border co-operation programmes (CBC) at the EU-Russia Summit in Stockholm on 18 November.

Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner and the Russian Minister for Regional Development, Viktor Basargin, signed the agreements, which are central to the implementation of cooperation programmes between the border regions of the European Union and Russia. 

To read more visit: http://www.enpi-info.eu/maineast.php?id_type=1&id=20096&lang_id=450

December issue of the newsletter from the Baltic Sea Region Programme 2007-2013

The December issue comes with the following highlights:

- Quo Vadis, Programme?

- Third call for project applications open from 4 January till 22 March 2010

- Project: JOSEFIN - Joint SME Finance for Innovation

- Enlarged DEEP user group met in Vienna

To download the newsletter, please go to http://eu.baltic.net/Baltic_Sea_Programme_newsletter_December_2009.9539.html.

Fifth ENPI CBC bulletin

Please click here to download the fifth ENPI CBC newsletter with information about the state of play of all ENPI CBC programmes.

High Interest in the Italy-Tunisia Programme by Tunisian Potential Applicants and Partners

RCBI and the Tunisian National Contact Point (NCP) organised three Follow-up Information Events for the Italy-Tunisia Programme on 27 and 28 October and 17 November 2009. The events were held in Tunis, Nabeul and Tabarka, as a continuation of the Project Preparation Events held in the same locations on 6, 8 and 9 October. Around 105 persons attended the events, which consisted in open workshops for questions from the participants and answers from both the NCP and the RCBI experts.

The events showed a big interest and motivation to participate in the programme by Tunisian potential applicants and partners. The main challenge facing the participants is finding partners in the eligible territories in Sicily (Italy). A launching seminar organised by the Joint Managing Authority will be held in Sicily in the coming weeks and a Partner Forum organised by RCBI will be held in Tunis two weeks later.

Financing Agreement for the Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme

Seven countries have now signed the Financing Agreements with the European Commission and are fully eligible to receive Programme funds: Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, Syria and Tunisia.

Two more Financing Agreements signed for the Mediterranean Sea Basin ENPI CBC Programme

The Palestinian Authority and Lebanon have recently signed the Financing Agreement with the European Commission. Following Syria and Jordan, four countries have signed the Financing Agreements up to now. Negotiations are ongoing with the other Mediterranean Partner Countries participating in the Programme.

According to article 10 of the ENPI CBC Implementing Rules (EC Regulation No 951/2007), Financing Agreements shall be signed by Mediterranean Partner Countries before 31 December 2009 in order to allow subjects belonging to these eligible territories to receive Programme funds.

Baltic Sea Programme newsletter of September 2009

The September issue of the newsletter from the Baltic Sea Region Programme 2007-2013 comes with the following highlights :

- Further 17 projects approved in the 2nd call
- Under the Swedish EU presidency, interview with Ulf Savbäck on the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region
- Project communication plans - lessons learned
- Strategic project: BRISK

To download the newsletter, please follow this link.

Black Sea 2007-2013 News Letter

The Joint Managing Authority of JOP "Black Sea 2007-2013" has published the first newsletter with the following headlines:

- Launching Conference of the Joint Operational Programme “Black Sea 2007-2013”
- First Call for Proposals opened on 30th of June 2009
- Tools available for potential applicants/partners to develop project proposals

Click here to download the newsletter.

Eligibility of international organisations in the Mediterranean Sea Basin ENPI CBC Programme 2007-2013

The JMA informs that a recent decision of the Joint Monitoring Committee specifies the conditions of eligibility of international organisations: they can participate as Applicant or partner but as per the recent decision of the Joint Monitoring Committee, they cannot be taken into account for the fulfillment of the geographical partnership requirement, even though they participate through a local office registered in the eligible territories. A partnership should thus be composed of a minimum of three entities - different from international organizations - which represent three different countries, including at least one EU Mediterranean Country and one Mediterranean Partner Country.

The Guidelines for Applicants have been modified accordingly (section 3.1.2). For more information, please check the programme website.

Programme Management Q&A now available on EuropeAid's ENPI CBC website

The EC have published the first set of ENPI CBC Questions and Answers on the Cross-Border Cooperation within the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI) website.

You will find them on the right-hand side of the page under the FAQ option in the menu: "Frequentely Asked Questions".

The Q&A are mainly addressed to Managing Authorities. Information related to specific programmes will be available on the relevant programme websites.  Click here to visit the site.

Signature of Financing Agreements with the EC for the Black Sea Basin and Romania-Ukraine-Republic of Moldova Programmes

Moldova becomes the third partner country to conclude the Financing Agreement with the European Commission, after Armenia and Georgia. The signature of the Financing Agreement allows Moldova to fully take part at the Black Sea Basin Programme 2007-2013. Armenia signed in May and Georgia in August. The remaining Partner Countries have until the end of 2009 to conclude their Financing Agreements with the EC.  

The Republic of Moldova has also signed the Financing Agreement with the EC for the Romania-Ukraine-Republic of Moldova ENPI CBC Programme.

Mediterranean Sea Basin ENPI CBC Programme Partner Countries sign Financing Agreements with the EC

After Syria, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is the second country to sign a Financing Agreement with the European Commission and the Joint Managing Authority, allowing for the participation of beneficiaries from these countries to the different calls that will be launched under the ENPI CBC Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme.

Information events for the Romania-Ukraine-Republic of Moldova Programme

The Joint Technical Secretariat of the Romania-Ukraine-Republic of Moldova Joint Operational Programme 2007-2013, in cooperation with the Joint Managing Authority, organises in July 2009 information events in the three participant countries. See the calendar of events.

For additional information please contact:
Regional Cross Border Cooperation Office Suceava
Mrs Ingrid Bucsa
Info.ro-ua-md@brctsuceava.ro
Regional Cross Border Cooperation Office Iasi
Mr Sebastian Costea
Info.ro-ua-md@brctiasi.ro

First Mediterranean Sea Basin RCBI Project Preparation workshops held in Palestine, Israel, Jordan and Egypt

Following the information events that were held at the end of last year, RCBI organised the first Project Preparation Workshops for the Mediterranean Sea Basin ENPI CBC Programme in Ramallah, Tel Aviv, Madaba, Aqaba, Alexandria and Port Said in May 2009. 

As the first call for proposals is expected any moment now the workshops focused on the application package, how to fill this in, how to develop the logframe and the budget as well as on how to find partners and develop sustainable partnerships. Similar events in Lebanon, Syria and Tunisia will follow soon. 

For the agenda and materials presented at the Project Preparation Workshops, click on the location of the event above.

Follow-up information sessions focussed on the application package and forming partnerships will be held in July/August 2009.

Specific Partner Search Forums are also expected in July 2009 in Jordan and in Tunisia.

BSR June Newsletter is now available

The June issue of the newsletter from the Baltic Sea Region Programme 2007-2013 is now available online.

Highlights include:

- Five transport projects approved in the 2nd call

- The EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region - a common vision for development

- State aid & extension stage

- Strategic project: Bioenergy promotion

Click here to download the newsletter.

News from the Baltic Sea Region Programme

Find out about the closing of the BSR second call for proposal in the latest BSR newsletter which is now online. Topics covered include:

- 85 applications received in the 2nd call
- Project duties after approval
- How to designate a first level controller
- Strategic project: EfficienSea

Click to download the newsletter or go to the Programme website. 

Newcomers to CBC cooperation introduced to the Black Sea Basin ENPI CBC Programme

Regions new to cross border co-operation were among the locations for eight RCBI Information events for the Black Sea Basin held in Armenia, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine in late January early February 2009.

One event was held in Georgia, two in each of Armenia and Moldova and three in Ukraine. A further event is expected to be held later in Poti, Georgia.

As well as receiving information about the programme and the coming call for proposals, participants had the opportunity to start identifying which of their regional needs matched the programme priorities.

A hot topic at the event was how to find partners or how organisations can be found by EU partners. Participants were encouraged to register themselves as partners in the RCBI partners database and to search for partners on the BSB Programme website.

Click on the dates below for the agenda and materials presented at each event.

Georgia:

Tbilisi: 29 January 2009

Ukraine:

Donetsk: 2 February 2009

Sevastopol: 3 February 2009

Kherson: 5 February 2009

Armenia

Yerevan: 5 February 2009

Gyumri: 6 February 2009

Moldova:

Chisinau: 10 February 2009

Edinets: 11 February 2009

Lots of Interest in Ukraine in the HSRU ENPI CBC Programme

There is a lot of interest in Ukraine for the Hungary-Slovakia-Romania-Ukraine ENPI CBC Programme. The number of participants at recent RCBI Information Events exceeded organisers' expectation. Events were held in regions eligible for the programme, Ivano-Frankivsk on 26 January and Uzhgorod on 27 January 2009 and included participants from Chernivtsy which is an adjoining region.

The events were attended by representatives of the Programme Management from Hungary and the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine which acts as the National Contact Point for the ENPI CBC programmes.

Participants received information on the Programme and the coming Call for Proposals and interactive sessions gave them the opportunity to clarify issues directly with the programme management.

RCBI Project Preparation events will be held in the same regions as soon as the Call for Proposal is announced.

Click on the dates below for the agenda and materials presented at each event.

26 January, Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine

27 January, Uzhgorod, Ukraine

Review of BSR Programme Conference 2008 now available

The review of the Baltic Sea Region Programme Conference 2008 held in Tallin on 26 November 2008 is now available on the BSR website. The review includes selected photos, quotes from the speakers and summaries of the panel discussions.

MSB's Second Joint Monitoring Committee approves Application Pack for first call

The entire Application Pack, containing the text of the call for proposals, application form, budget, guidelines for applicants, grant contract and related annexes, was approved by representatives from 14 Mediterranean Member States and Partner Countries in Aqaba at the Mediterranean Sea Basin's second Joint Monitoring Committee on 14-16 February 2009.

As a result of this work, the first Call for Proposals is now expected at the end of February 2009.

For more information click here. 

Four programmes held their first JMC Meetings in November and December 2008

Four Programmes held their first Joint Monitoring Committee meetings in November and December 2008. They are the Mediterranean Sea Basin (5-6 November) Black Sea Basin, Romania-Ukraine-Moldova and Hungary-Slovakia-Romania-Ukraine (16, 17 and 19 December respectively) Programmes. In general, the JMC meetings approved work programmes and work plans, the TA budget, the JMC rules of procedure and the communication plans.

Second JMC, to approve the Application Packs, are expected for each programme in January and February 2009.

BSR INTERREG III B Programme and the BSR Programme 2007-2013 Newsletter November 2008

The latest Baltic Sea Region Programme newsletter has been published. It is the last newsletter for the Baltic Sea Region INTERREG III B Programme, and it puts the spotlight on the achievements of the Programme which will close at the end of this year.

Highlights in the newsletter include:

- 24 projects approved in the 1st call

- How to design a successful transnational project: lessons learned

- 2nd call & support to the applicants

- BSR INTERREG III B Programme achievements

- Programme calendar

For the newsletter and more information about the Baltic Sea Region Programme 2007-2013 and the 2nd call for project applications (19 January - 31 March 2009) please visit the Programme website.

First Mediterranean Sea Basin RCBI Information Events held in six Mediterranean Partner countries

The first RCBI information events for the Mediterranean Sea Basin ENPI CBC Programme first call for proposals have been held in Jordan, Israel, the Palestinian Authority territories, Lebanon, Syria and Egypt. Local eligible actors at the events were able to learn about ENPI CBC, the Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme, the coming call for proposals and finding partners.

Events were held in Amman, Jordan - 16 November; Al Aqaba, Jordan - 18 November; Tel Aviv, Israel - 19 November; Ramallah in the Palestinian Authority territories - 20 November 2008; Beirut, Lebanon - 25 November; Lattakia, Syria - 27 November; Ismailiyah, Egypt - 1 December; Alexandria, Egypt - 3 December 2008.

For the agenda and materials presented at the information events, click on the location of the event above.

A further event is planned for Tunis in Tunisia.

Follow-up project preparation workshop will be held in all these locations in January and February 2009 after the call for proposals is launched.

All JMA staff together for the first time at RCBI training in Bucharest

Almost all JMA staff who manage the Romania-Ukraine-Republic of Moldova (Ro-Ua-Md) and the Black Sea Basin ENPI CBC Programmes, some of them newly appointed, came together for the first time at a two-day, demand driven, specific RCBI JMA training in Bucharest on 11-12 November 2008.

 

Participants included members of the Black Sea Basin and Ro-Ua-Md JMA, the Ro-Ua-Md JTS Branch Offices and those responsible for the National Control System for both programmes including representatives from the Romanian Internal Audit Directorate, Payments Directorate, Legal Department and the Economic and Financial Department.

 

Examples of "audit trails" and risk analyses, monitoring at programme level , management of irregularities, management structures, management of TA funds, organisation of the first JMC, financial flows EC - JMA and what can and cannot be told to potential applicants were some of the issues addressed.

Click here for the agenda and materials presented at the event.

Delegates from 13 countries briefed prior to the Mediterranean Sea Basin first Joint Monitoring Committee meeting

Representatives from 13 countries took part in a briefing delivered by RCBI in Cagliari, Italy on 4 November prior to the Mediterranean Sea Basin first Joint Monitoring Committee meeting held on 6-7 November. People from EU Mediterranean Countries and Mediterranean Partner Countries took part in the event which covered topics such as, the aims of the first JMC meeting, the roles of each programme management structure, the procedures and JMC responsibilities for the first call for proposals and the project selection process.

This first JMC meeting adopted the JMC rules of procedure, approved the Programme Work Plan for 2008-2009 which includes the timing for calls for proposals, and the Communication Plan. The provisional budget was also approved along with the Terms of Reference and recruitment procedures for the Joint Technical Secretariat and Branch Office staff. The draft guidelines for applicants and application form were presented for comment and are expected to be approved at the next JMC to be held in December.

Click here for the agenda and materials for the RCBI briefing.

Kolartic JMA and Branches together for a specialised training in Lulea

Representatives from the branch offices in Murmansk (Russia), Luleå (Sweden) and Vadsø (Norway) as well as JMA staff took part in an RCBI training focused on the organization of calls for proposals, project selection and contracting, and financial management and auditing. The practical and interactive workshop facilitated, in particular, the development of the relevant documents such as the application pack which need to be ready for the first JMC meeting.

The training was delivered by RCBI Key experts Franck Sottou and Karine Leroy on the 16 and 17 October 2008. Click here for the agenda and materials presented at the event.

24 projects approved in first Baltic Sea Region programme Call for Proposals

27 October 2008

The Baltic Sea Region Programme 2007-2013 Monitoring Committee approved 24 transnational cooperation projects at its meeting in Copenhagen on 23-24 October 2008. Around 66.1 Million Euro or 29.8% of the total available EU/Norwegian programme co-financing was allocated. The approved projects involve around 443 project partners from 11 countries in the Baltic Sea area. In total 110 project applications were received in the 1st call which closed on 30 May 2008. Click here for a media release with more details and the list of approved projects.

RCBI supports JMA Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme at start of new phase

After the recent adoption of the Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme (MSB) by the European Commission, this programme is entering a new phase. Soon there will be a first meeting of a Joint Monitoring Committee. Furthermore the JMA has started preparations for the launch of the first Call for Proposal which is expected at the beginning of December.

RCBI took the opportunity to support the Joint Management Authority of the MSB Programme for this new phase. In Cagliari, Sardinia (Italy), where the JMA is based, the complete JMA staff received a two day training workshop on project management structures, financial project management, auditing principles, evaluation and monitoring.

The workshop took place on 24 and 25 September and was delivered by Albert Sorrosal, RCBI Key expert Finance, Management and Control and Pam van de Bunt, RCBI Key expert Project Development and Awareness Raising. Click here for the materials presented during the event.

Specialised training for Joint Management Authorities in Poland

Warsaw 4-5 September 2008

Key national bodies from Belarus, Lithuania, Russia and Ukraine, and all the Polish national bodies involved in the management of the Lithuania-Poland-Russia and Poland-Belarus-Ukraine ENPI CBC Programmes, took part in RCBI specialised training in Warsaw on 4 September 2008. The Kaliningrad Regional Authority was also represented.

More than 30 people took part in the event which explored in depth topics such as the development of guidelines for applicants, and the interface between ENPI CBC and PraG, the guidelines which must be used for implementing projects.

A follow up training was held the next day specifically for 14 staff from the Polish national bodies which have a key role in the management of the two programmes

Training was delivered by RCBI key experts, Franck Sottou, Albert Sorrosal and Veronica Vann in conjunction with representatives from the EC Delegations to Russia and Ukraine, Natalia Zabrodotskaya and Dzmitry Korbut.

Click here for the agenda and materials presented at the event.

ENPI CBC briefing in Tunis

More than 65 national and local officials and representatives from academic institutions and development agencies took part in an ENPI CBC briefing/training in Tunis from 2-4 July 2008. The event was organised by the Ministry of Development and International Cooperation with contributions from RCBI Key experts, Karine Leroy and Albert Sorrosal.

Participants were given information on ENPI CBC, Programme Priorities and management structures, eligible regions, applicants and activities and procedures for applying for funding and project selection. For more information, click here for the agenda and materials presented at the event (in French). 

Consulting Environmental Stakeholders in Belarus

20 people from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection and territorial subdivisions, local authorities, NGOs, and research and scientific institutions took part in a consultation held in Minsk on 19 June 2008 as part of the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of the Latvia-Lithuania-Belarus Programme.

 

The event was also attended by representatives from the Programme Joint Management Authority from the Ministry of Interior, Lithuania.

 

At the event, people commented on the SEA Environmental Report and draft programme. They also received information on ENPI CBC opportunities, and the support available from RCBI.

 

A wide range of comments were received and will be taken into account in the finalisation of the programme.

 

Click here for more information on the Programme.

109 applications received in the Baltic Sea Region first Call for Proposals

109 project applications, requesting €373m in total, were submitted under the Baltic Sea Region Programme first Call for Proposals which closed on 30 May 2008. Of these, 86 applications involved partners from Belarus (14 projects) and/or from Russia (84 projects). More information about the outcomes of the first call, click here for the June issue of the BSR newsletter.

Informing people in Belarus and Russia about the Baltic Sea Region Call for Proposals

Pskov, Novgorod, Minsk, Petrosavodsk, Kaliningrad - March-April 2008

More than 275 people in regional areas of Russia and Belarus were given information on how they can participate in the Baltic Sea Region (BSR) Programme's first call for proposals. Events were held in Pskov, Novgorod, Minsk, Petrosavodsk, and Kaliningrad during March and April 2008. Participants heard about the success of the previous BSR INTERREG III B Neighbourhood Programme, learned about the new BSR programme, and received information on priorities and eligibility requirements for the open Call for Proposals. People were also introduced to RCBI and had the opportunity to ask questions and receive more information in one on one meetings with the BSR Secretariat and RCBI experts.

For information on the BSR Programme and the Call for Proposals, follow the links in the story below.

Photos

Above right: Kaliningrad participants hear about the opportunities under the BSR Programme

Below right: RCBI expert Sergey Balenev at one of several individual meetings in Kaliningrad

Baltic Sea Region Programme 2007 - 2013: New partnership opportunities for Russian and Belorussian regions

St Petersburg - 16-17 April 2008

More than 500 potential beneficiaries and others attended a Baltic Sea Region Programme event held in St Petersburg on 16-17 April 2008 to give information on funding opportunities under an open Call for Proposals. Participants heard about projects funded under the previous programme, received information on the new programme and had the opportunity to receive practical help on developing projects and finding partners. The event ended with a 'Partner Search Cafe' and individual consultations with BSR project managers and RCBI country specific experts, Sergey Balanev and Georgui Baranets.

Click here for the event agenda and presentations.
Click here for the presentation by RCBI Team Leader, Veronica Vann. The presentation includes information on the other programmes in which Russia and Belarus participate.

The Call for Proposals will close on 30 May 2008. Click here for more information on the Call and how to apply. People in Russia and Belarus wanting to ask questions about the opportunities to participate in the Call can contact the Programme secretariat, or the RCBI experts Sergey.Balanev@rcbi.info (Russia) or Georgui Baranets@rcbi.info (Belarus).

Informing and Consulting Stakeholders

Mediterranean Sea Basin ENPI CBC Programme 2007-2013

Cairo - 9 September 2007, Amman - 10 September 2007 and Tel Aviv - 25 November 2007

To see the outcomes of the meetings click on Cairo, Amman or Tel Aviv.

Click here to read the article "EU's commitment to support areas around the Mediterranean with the framework of Cross border Cooperation Programme" in Arabic (Al Rai - The Opinion - page 3, 11 September 2007, Amman, Jordan).

Seminar "The European Union is 50. Integration in the ENP Area. From TACIS to ENPI"

Yerevan - 18-19 November 2007.

CBC featured in a seminar on the ENP held recently in Armenia. Click here for the presentation by Sorina Canea from the JMA Black Sea Basin ENPI CBC Programme, Marianna Puntea from the JTS for the Romania-Moldova NP and Veronica Vann from RCBI.

4th Annual All Russia Forum of Strategic Planning Leaders

St Petersburg - 18-19 October 2007

 

For more information in Russian, please click here.

INTERACT Seminar

ENPI CBC Programme implementation 2007-13

Brussels - 18-19 September 2007

 

A two day conference focused on defining the best management practises for the localised implementation of decentralised programmes in external border cooperation by creating common understanding how the programme and project management can be best implemented. Participatory intensive workshops gave participants the opportunity to have a detail exchange of information on management aspects of ENPI CBC including application of the PraG (the Practical Guide to contract procedures for EC external actions) in the specific context of CBC.

 

Fore more information, please visit also the INTERACT website.

United by Borders

INTERREG IIIA Priorities of the Baltic Sea Region INTERREG III B Neighbourhood Programme

 

Riga - 24-25 September 2007

 

Click here to see the "United by Borders" Programme Conference Newsletter