IPA Component 2 – Cross-Border Cooperation Component – CBC
The main objective of the cross-border cooperation component, seen from the aspect of acquiring sustainable knowledge on the use of EU funds, is to prepare the IPA beneficiary countries for the creation of efficient joint Operating Structures, which will create a critical mass of practical experience in the programming and implementation of joint cross-border Operational Programmes. This, in turn, is a necessary condition for the later effective and safe management of the upcoming, far more extensive and comprehensive EU Structural and Cohesion Funds, which are coming in the so-called post-accession phase. From the aspect of the benefits of the border regions themselves (which are also the essential subject of the activities within these Cross-Border Cooperation Programmes themselves), the primary objective of this Component of the IPA Instrument is to foster stability, security and prosperity, especially in the border, often marginalized regions of the neighbouring beneficiary countries. This is in the common interest of the countries concerned, and, among other things, encourages harmonious, balanced and sustainable cross-border development.
The Republic of Macedonia participates in four IPA Cross-Border Cooperation Programmes: two Programmes with EU Member States, respectively, Bulgaria and Greece (which previously took place within the framework of the CARDS Programme), and, respectively, in two Programmes with its neighbouring IPA Beneficiary Countries, namely Albania and Kosovo. The Republic of Macedonia also participates in the Transnational Territorial Cross-Border Cooperation Programme ‘South East Europe 2007-2013’, which has a much wider territorial scope, and is a kind of continuation of the CADSES programme.
IPA Cross-Border Cooperation Programme Macedonia - Bulgaria
The specific objectives of this Programme are: accelerating sustainable economic development in the cross-border region, promoting social cohesion, and developing the attractiveness and quality of life in the cross-border area. The Joint Technical Secretariat of the Programme is located in Kyustendil, and its regional office (so-called Antenna) is in Strumica. The border region includes the southeastern, northeastern and eastern regions on the Macedonian side, and the districts of Blagoevgrad and Kyustendil on the Bulgarian side.
In the course of the implementation of the Programme so far, i.e. in the three Calls for Project Proposals published so far, a total of 53 winning projects have been financed, with a total absorbed amount of approximately 11.53 million Euros of EU funds on both sides. For the Macedonian partners in these 53 projects, a total of approximately 5.72 million Euros of non-refundable EU funds have been allocated so far, which are considered to be absorbed at the national level by this IPA Programme.
IPA Cross-Border Cooperation Programme Macedonia - Greece
Specific objectives of this Programme are: economic development of the border regions; promotion of tourism and transport infrastructure, as well as environmental improvements and people-to-people activities. The Joint Technical Secretariat is located in Thessaloniki, and its regional office is planned to be opened in Bitola. The border region includes the Pelagonija, Vardar, Southeast and Southwest regions on the Macedonian side, and the regions of Lerin, Pella, Serres and Thessaloniki on the southern neighbor side.
In the course of the implementation of the Program so far, i.e. in the four Calls for Project Proposals that have been published so far, a total of 38 winning projects have been financed, with a total absorbed amount of approximately 16.2 million Euros of EU funds on both sides. For the Macedonian partners in these 38 projects, a total of approximately 5.07 million Euros of non-refundable EU funds have been allocated so far, which are considered to be absorbed at the national level by this SVS Program.
IPA Cross-Border Cooperation Programme Macedonia - Albania
Specific objectives of the Programme are: encouraging cross-border economic, environmental and social development through economic development with an emphasis on promoting tourism, sustainable environmental development with an emphasis on the protection, promotion and management of natural resources and ecosystems and social cohesion, and cultural exchange through people-to-people and institutions-to-institutions activities. The Joint Technical Secretariat is located in Struga, and the regional office is in Elbasan. The border region includes the Pelagonia, South-West and Polog regions on the Macedonian side and the regions of Diber, Korça and Elbasan on the Albanian side.
In the course of the implementation of the Programme so far, i.e. in the three Calls for Project Proposals that have been published so far, a total of 41 winning projects have been financed, in a total amount of absorbed funds of approximately 3.64 million Euros EU funds on both sides. For the partners from Macedonia in these 41 projects, a total of approximately 3.47 million Euros in non-refundable EU funds have been allocated so far, which are considered to be absorbed at the national level by this SVS Program.
IPA Cross-Border Cooperation Programme Macedonia – Kosovo
The specific objectives of the Programme are: to promote good neighbourly relations, to foster stability, security and prosperity, through economic development with an emphasis on sustainable development of the environment, protection, promotion and management of natural resources and ecosystems, as well as to encourage harmonious, balanced and sustainable development. The Joint Technical Secretariat is located in Kumanovo, and the regional office is in Gjilan. The border region includes the North-East, Skopje and Polog regions on the Macedonian side, and the Central, Southern and Eastern Economic Regions on the Kosovo side.
Given the fact that this is the youngest Programme of all the CBC Programmes in which the Republic of Macedonia participates, there have been no Calls for Project Proposals so far. It is expected that the First CBC within this Programme will be published towards the end of the third quarter of 2013.
Transnational Programme for Territorial Cross-Border Cooperation ‘South East Europe 2007-2013’ - SEE
The Transnational Programme ‘South East Europe 2007-2013’ - SEE mainly focuses on the following areas: innovation; environment; accessibility; sustainable urban development. Within the global objective of the Programme, transnational partnerships are developed for matters of strategic importance in order to improve the process of territorial, economic and social integration in the EU, and to contribute to cohesion, stability and competitiveness.
In the current course of the implementation of the Programme, i.e. in the four Calls for Project Proposals that have been published so far, project partners from the Republic of Macedonia have also participated in 18 of the winning projects financed by this Programme. For their participation, a total of approximately 1.66 million Euros in non-repayable EU funds have been allocated so far, which are considered to be absorbed at the national level by the Transnational Programme ‘South East Europe 2007-2013’ – SEE.
In the next Programming Period (2014-2020), it is planned that this Programme will undergo changes in terms of some of its parameters, scope and areas of interventions, and it is certain that its name will be changed to reflect the Adriatic-Ionian Macro-Strategy for Regional Cooperation.
Key Documents
Transnational Programme for Territorial Cross-Border Cooperation ‘South East Europe 2007-2013’ – SEE