Grensoverschrijdend programma voor samenwerking Hongarije-Slowakije 2007-13 (en)

• 1. 

  “Hungary-Slovak Republic Cross-border Cooperation Programme” – Operational Programme under the European Territorial Cooperation Objective, co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
• 2. 

  Overview

On 20 December 2007, the European Commission approved a Cross-border Cooperation Programme between Hungary and the Slovak Republic for the period 2007-13. The Operational Programme involves Community support as part of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) for specific Hungarian and Slovak regions that lie along their common border: the Hungarian regions of Gy?r-Moson-Sopron, Komárom-Esztergom, Pest, Nógrád, Heves, Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén, Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg and Budapest and Slovak regions Bratislavský kraj, Trnavský kraj, Nitriansky kraj, Banskobystrický kraj and Košický kraj.

The Operational Programme falls within the framework laid out for the European Territorial Cooperation Objective and has a total budget of around €208 million. Community investment through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) amounts to some €176 million, which represents approximately 2.0% of the total EU investment earmarked for the European Territorial Cooperation Objective under the Cohesion Policy 2007-13.

• 3. 

  Aim and purpose of the programme

The overall strategic goal of the Programme is to increase the level of economic and social integration in the Hungarian-Slovak border area by strengthening economic competitiveness, increasing social and cultural coherence among people and communities, improving accessibility and communication as well as protecting natural assets.

• 4. 

  Expected impact of investments

The main impacts expected include:

improved cross-border connections;

enhanced joint management of public services and resources;

more business start-ups and tourism products; and

local communities more motivated to engage in cross-border cooperation to improve

the region’s attractiveness.

A series of indicators will be used to evaluate the Programme’s impact on the population, the environment and the economic wealth of the region. Specific targets include 250 000 people benefiting from improved infrastructure (cycle paths, bridges and roads), 650 women taking part in joint training and education activities, and 5000 people benefiting from renewable energy.

• 5. 

  Priorities

The Operational Programme is structured along the following priorities:

Priority 1: Economy and Society [approximately 41.0% of total funding]

This priority aims to develop cross-border business cooperation by supporting business infrastructure facilities. The focus is also on developing human relations in the field of research, technological development and innovation, supporting the joint use of human resources in education and the labour market, and initiating people-to-people actions. Joint projects in the tourism and healthcare sectors as well as the development of networks and partnerships will also be encouraged.

Priority 2: Environment, Nature Protection and Accessibility [approximately 53.0% of total funding]

The objective of this priority aims to encourage joint actions designed to protect the natural environment. One of the key focuses is to develop the transport infrastructure, including road constructions, border-crossing facilities across rivers and public transport. The communication infrastructure will also benefit from support in an effort to improve information flows.

Priority 3: Technical Assistance [approximately 6.0% of total funding]

Technical assistance will be provided for implementing the Programme. Financial support is also available and will cover administration, monitoring, evaluation and control.

• 6. 

  Managing Authority: National Development Agency – Budapest, Hungary

Contact details:

Szalóki Flórián

National Development Agency

1133 Budapest

Pozsonyi út 56

Hungary

Telephone: +36 1 441 7411

Fax:+36 1 441 7212

E-mail: szaloki.florian@meh.hu

Website:

http://www.meh.hu/english

http://www.nfu.hu/

• 7. 

  Title: “Hungary-Slovak Republic Cross-border Cooperation Programme”

Type of intervention: Operational Programme

CCI No.: 2007CB163PO068

No. of decision: C/2007/6488

Final approval date: 20/12/2007

• 8. 

  Breakdown of financing by priority (in euros)