European Union provides EUR 23 648 491 to assist Cross-Border Cooperation projects in Estonia – Latvia – Russia border regions

The Ministry of Regional Development and Local Government of Republic of Latvia has launched the 1st Call for Proposals of the Estonia – Latvia – Russia Cross Border Cooperation Programme 2007-2013. Available EU funding for the 1st Call is 23 648 491 EUR. The deadline for submission of project proposals is 29 November 2010.

The Programme financially supports joint development activities for the improvement of the region’s competitiveness by utilising its potential and beneficial location on the cross roads between the EU and Russian Federation. The Programme has three priorities:
1. Socio-economic development,
2. Common challenges,
3. Promotion of people to people cooperation.

Eligible areas of the Programme are following:
· Estonia: Kirde-Eesti, Lõuna-Eesti, Kesk-Eesti; adjoining area: Põhja-Eesti,
· Latvia: Latgale, Vidzeme; adjoining areas: Riga City and Pieriga,
· Russia: Leningrad region, Pskov region, St.-Petersburg City.

Eligible partners for the projects are national, regional and local public authorities; associations; public equivalent bodies; NGOs; educational organisations, small and medium enterprises (only under the Priority 1).

There are several partnership requirements for the project proposals:
· each project shall involve at least two project partners,
· at least one project partner shall be located in the Programme area of Estonia and/or Latvia,
· at least one project partner shall be located in the Programme area in Russian Federation,
· public and non-governmental organizations have to ensure at least 10% co-financing for the project,
· SMEs have to provide at least 50% co-financing for the project,
· SMEs can participate in the project under Priority 1 only,
· the partnership is based on the Lead Partner principle.

The Application Form, Guidelines for Grant Applicants and all other relevant documents (e.g. Programme Document, Programme Manual, relevant EU Legislation) are available in the Programme web-site: http://www.etslatrus.eu .

The Programme is financed from the ERDF and European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument funding and implemented by the open calls for project proposals. The EU funding for the Programme is 47 million EUR which is supplemented by the funding from Programme member states Estonia, Latvia and Russia.

Dace Dravnice

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