For the new programming period 2007-2013 a single instrument has been put in place to foster cooperation in regions along both sides of the EU’s external borders (land and maritime borders): the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI). This cooperation framework contains a genuine cross-border cooperation (CBC) component. Complementary funding for this CBC component comes from the new "European Territorial Cooperation" Objective, formerly INTERREG III. This component includes economic and social cohesion as well as external policy objectives.

The new concept of ENPI-CBC has been enthusiastically welcomed by all participating countries, both Member States and partner countries (in Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and the Mediterranean). Thanks to this new harmonised instrument, partners willing to put CBC projects in place may avoid most of the bureaucratic obstacles that used to stand in their way during the previous period (such as funding coming from INTERREG III for partners in Member States and from other instruments for partners in non-Member States). The Strategy Paper 2007-2013 on ENPI-CBC drafted by the Commission in November 2006 sets down 15 ENPI-CBC programmes with total funding of EUR 1,118.434 million for the whole programming period.

The challenge now lies in developing new implementing rules for these CBC programmes, inspired by the decentralised management of the Structural Funds. This implies, for example, finding political and technical solutions for ensuring that a Member State takes over the responsibility for the correct use of EU funds spent in a partner country outside the EU territory. At this stage, shared management systems are being set up. By the end of 2007, each programme will have a Joint Managing Authority (JMA). The JMAs will be located in Member States and will be responsible for signing the grant contracts with the Lead Partners (including Lead Partners on the other side of the border). For each programme, a Joint Task Force (JTF) has also been established to draft the programme documents.

A similar framework is being set up for Candidate Countries (Croatia, Turkey, fYRoM) and Potential Candidate Countries (remaining Western Balkans states). A CBC component is also included in the Instrument for Pre-Accession (IPA). To the IPA section.

Downloads

Links

• FAQ
• ENPI programming process (www.enpi-programming.eu)
• Actors involved in implementing ENPI programmes (www.enpi-programming.eu)
• ENPI country updates - East (www.enpi-programming.eu)
• ENPI country updates - South (www.enpi-programming.eu)
• Other links

INTERACT Contacts

INTERACT Point Vienna/Turku:
- Vienna Office: ip.mt@interact-eu.net
- Turku Office: riitta.ahdan@interact-eu.net


In collaboration with INTERACT Point Valencia:
- Valencia Office: ip.tb@interact.eu.net

Other contacts

European Commission - EuropeAid Cooperation Office – Contacts and Calendar of Events
European Commission – DG Relex website
National Contact Points
EC Aid Programming for ENPI Countries