SEE Annual Conference The benefits of transnational cooperation: the case of Croatia 14-15 15 OCTOBER 2009 Hotel Holiday Inn, Sarajevo Ministry of Regional Development, Forestry and Water Management
Content A Regional Overview of SEE countries and Croatian economy History of development of Interreg/Territorial co-operation in Croatia IPA and Transnational co-operation 2007-2013 Initial lesson for Croatia Conclusion
Income level of SEE countries is still lower than in the EU-27 GDP per capita at PPP in % of EU-27 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 2000 2007 Slovenia Czech Republic Slovakia Hungary Poland Romania Bulgaria Croatia Serbia Turkey Montenegro FYR Macedonia Bosnia & Herzegovina Albania Source: wiiw.
Clear improvements of the institutional framework EBRD T ransition Indicators (overall transition score) 4.50 4.00 3.50 3.00 2.50 2.00 1.50 1.00 0.50 0.00 2007 1997 Hungary Czech Republic Poland Slovakia Bulgaria Romania Slovenia Croatia FYR Macedonia Albania Serbia BiH Montenegro Source: EBRD.
Competitive Advantages of SEE Countries Continuously improving infrastructure supports trade with the EU markets Geographical location, closeness to the enlarged EU EU accession process Progress in transnational and regional cooperation and integration
Where is Croatia now? Candidate Country - Accesion negotiations for EU membership started on 3rd October 2005
GDP per capita, average EU 27=100
The economic policy objectives of Croatia Maintaining a stable macroeconomic environment Raising the level of competitiveness Accelerating economic growth Creation of a knowledge-based society In line with priorities set in the Accession Partnership
The Croatian Economy in 2009 Croatia has experienced solid growth rates over the last few years The global economic crisis is now starting to take its toll Despite the recent period of growth, Croatia is facing serious competitiveness challenges
Croatia s Competitiveness Agenda Action Priorities Address corruption and weaknesses in political and legal institutions Ensure the sustainability of public finances Reform the rules and regulations for business Open up local markets to competition Create attractive conditions for foreign investors Strengthen the higher education system, financial markets, and airport/port infrastructure Use clusters as an organizing principle for upgrading workforce skills, infrastructure, and FDI attraction Support Croatian regions in their competitiveness efforts Strengthen economic cooperation in South-East Europe
The Neighborhood Southeastern Europe Economic coordination among neighboring countries can significantly enhance competitiveness
History of development of Interreg/territorial cooperation in Croatia EU Instruments in Croatia EU Instruments in Croatian Neighbouring Countries CARDS 2000-2005 CROSS-BORDER CO-OPERATION INSTRUMENTS 2000-2004 PHARE 2005-2006 CARDS CBC PHARE CBC INTERREG III Hungary Italy Slovenia Hungary Italy Slovenia ERDF 2004-2006 2004-2005 ISPA 2005-06 SAPARD 2006 IPA 2007-20?? ERDF 20??-2013 OBJECTIVE 3 IPA CBC Italy Serbia & Montenegro CARDS CBC Bosnia & Herzegovina OBJECTIVE 3 Hungary IPA CBC Serbia & Montenegro Bosnia & Herzegovina Slovenia Hungary Italy Slovenia Serbia & Montenegro CARDS 2005-2006 ERDF 2007-2013 IPA 2007-2013 2005-2006 2007-20?? 20??-2013 FROM INTERREG III TO EUROPEAN TERRITORIAL CO-OPERATION Bosnia & Herzegovina
INTERREG IIIB - CADSES A zone with amazing diversity due to the large number of participating countries A programme with great complexity 4 calls Tangible results
INTERREG III B CADSES Neighbourhood Programme 2000-2006 Partners per country
Participation of Croatian partners in CADSES 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Prioritet 1 PROSTORNI RAZVOJ Prioritet 2 TRANSPORTNI SISTEMI Prioritet 3 PRIRODNA I KULTURNA BAŠTINA Prioritet 4 ZAŠTITA OKOLIŠA I UPRAVLJANJE RESURSIMA
Example of project: TEC-PARK.NET business co-operation between technological parks in Central Europe (A, I, H, Slo, Cro) Partners in Croatia: Tehnološki Park Zagreb d.o.o. Tehnološko-inovacijski centar Rijeka d.o.o. Total value of the project: 1.250.000
Transnational program SEE Croatia is one of 16 countries
What is new in transnational cooperation? Higher profile programmes Concrete projects with some investments Networking, plans and studies acceptable only if they prepare for concrete projects Some strategic projects, involving both regional and national authorities - may be inserted into the Programming document Not only open calls but also focused/thematic calls for projects
4 priority themes 1. Water management 2. Natural risk prevention 3. Improving accessibility 4. Creation of scientific and technological networks
External Borders of the EU New Policy context Neighbourhood & further enlargement Co-operation on borders with third countries financed through ENPI (European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument) Co-operation on borders with (potential) candidate countries financed through IPA (Instrument for Pre-Accession)
Involvement of non nonmember states It is the most crucial element of the SEES Programme Harmonization of IPA (Instrument for Pre Pre- Accession) funds with ERDF Application of the 10% rule for external partner countries
A little explanation of IPA (Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance) Integrating the 3 current pre-accession instruments + Turkey instrument plus pre-accession assistance for non-ccs (cf. CARDS) ca. 11.5 billion (2007-13) Institutional Building (IB) and preparation for EU fund management Component I: IB and TA Component II: Cross-border cooperation Component III, IV and V: fund-oriented III: Regional development (ERDF and CF) IV: Human resource development (ESF) V: Rural Development
IPA II component - Croatia 2007 2008 2009 UKUPN O RH OSTALI RH OSTALI RH OSTALI SLO - RH 1.721 1.721 2.940 2.940 3.207 3.207 15.736 HU - RH 1.405 1.405 2.400 2.400 2.618 2.618 12.846 JADRANSKI PROGRAM* 3.922 17.400 6.698 17.400 7.306 17.400 70.126 RH - BIH 1.000 1.000 1.000 1.000 1.000 1.000 6.000 RH - CG 400 500 400 500 400 500 2.700 RH - RS 800 1.000 800 1.000 800 1.000 5.400 SEE 400 31.918 400 29.689 400 29.565 92.372 MEDITERAN 53 28.627 106 25.959 160 25.993 80.898 UKUPNO: 9.701 83.571 14.744 80.888 15.891 81.283 286.078
SEE and Croatia Croatian financial allocation 2007-2009: 1,2 mil EUR Contact point in Croatia: MRDFWM Directorate for integrated regional development The result of 1st call: 9 projects
Initial Lessons Transnational co-operation is not easy! Challenging at all levels: programming, implementation, project level Transnational is much harder to justify than cross-border co-operation 2007-2013 budget outcome reflects this reality A clear need to move forward, to change, to develop How? 4 key elements of added value: content, management, programme relationship and visibility
Content Direction of travel is already evident: move away from the pure studies and evaluation approach Need to continue progression: think strategic! Need to fix co-operation within the geography of the programme less interregional-type co-operation Develop multi-country solutions to multicountry problems in a regional context!
Programme Management Critical element of transnational cooperation Management relationships must be close, well-structured, and with mutual confidence
Programme Relationships Relationships between countries equally important Vital to build solid relationships and committee level, and among national contact points Those involved must work for the good of the programme, not the good of their country Positive advances inside CADSES in recent years already evident in programme preparation for the next period
Visibility The key issue binding the other elements together Political awareness Getting the message out about the importance of transnational co-operation Raising awareness and profile of transnational actions and explaining the successes to the right people
Conclusions Added value of transnational co-operation is not in doubt! No other approach has this much co-operation with this much funding Huge areas of potential in relation to programme content New programme have a direct link to the integration of non-member States and enlargement Possibilities for building links into convergence and competitiveness programmes
Thank you for your attention! Mr.sc. Marija Rajaković marija.rajakovic rajakovic@mrrsvg.hr