Ministry of Regional Development and Tourism

1. Romania-Bulgaria Cross-Border Cooperation Operational Programme
2007-2013
Joint Approval Committee, Bucharest, 2-3 April 2007
ROMANIA – BULGARIA
CROSS BORDER
COOPERATION
PROGRAMME
- 2007-2013 -

2. EC recommendations on
OP Strategic Section
• Technical meeting with DG Regio and Bulgarian
partners, Brussels, January 23, 2007
• Technical meeting with DG Regio and Bulgarian
partners, Sofia, February 28, 2007
• Interact Workshop for the New European
Territorial Cooperation Romania-Bulgaria
Programme, Sofia, March 1, 2007

3. Section of OP
Recommendation revised
accordingly
Insert general/thematic maps in the document Ch. 2 (pg. 12-34)
to present the programme area and illustrate the
issues treated in the description of the current
situation of the border area
Focus the presentation on the Danube River, Ch. 2 (pg. 14-30;
that should have a central, strategical role in the 36)
OP
End each section of the description of the Ch. 2 (pg. 12-47)
current situation should end with trends and
conclusions
Strenghten the CBC relevance and cooperation Ch. 2 (pg. 12-47),
criteria requested for projects Ch. 3 (pg. 47-54)

4. Section of OP
Recommendation revised
accordingly
PA 1- Accesibility - to put more emphasis on Ch. 4.1 (pg.
Danube River and ferry transport 64-65)
PA 2- Environmnent – to target primarily on Ch 4.2 (pg. 69-71)
flooding
PA3 – Econ. and social development:
– a clearer definition of KA1 (regional identity Ch 4.3 (pg. 72-74)
and image)
- change the title of KA3 (labour market) and Ch. 4.3 (pg.
extend it it to include joint education and 75-77)
creation of needed skills
Indicators system proposed – to be revised Ch. 5 (pg. 85-90)

5. Section of OP
Recommendation revised
accordingly
Change of the title of the OP to Romania – Cover page, Ch.
Bulgaria Cross Border Cooperation Programme 1 (pg. 7)
2007-2013
Insert comments concerning raiway transport in Ch. 2.8 (pg. 27)
the eligible area
Insert Codes for the priority theme dimension, Ch. 4.1 (pg. 65.
Codes for the form of finance dimension, 66), Ch. 4.2 (pg.
Codes for the territorial dimension 68, 70), Ch. 4.3
(pg. 73, 76, 77),
Ch. 4.4 (pg. 79),
Ch. 4.5 (pg.
80-84)

6. Programme eligible area

7. Programme Area
Border length: 609.1 km
(470 km - Danube River, 139.1 km - land)
Eligible areas:
– NUTS III areas on border: counties of Mehedinti,
Dolj, Olt, Teleorman, Giurgiu, Calarasi, Constanta, and
districts of Vidin, Montana, Vratsa, Pleven, Veliko Tarnovo,
Ruse, Silistra, Dobrich
– an adjoining area: district Razgrad (Art. 21(1) ERDF
Reg)
Total Area: 71,929.6 sq.km (54.66%- Ro, 45.34%- Bg)
Population: 5,104,508 inhabitants (64%-Ro,36%-Bg)

8. Programme objective
and budget
STRATEGIC GOAL:
To bring together the people, communities and
economies of the border area to participate in
the joint development of a cooperative area,
using its human, natural and environmental
resources and advantages
Total Budget: Eur 256 million (current prices),
of which EUR 218 mil. ERDF

9. Programme strategy
centred around 2 key directions:
• Improving the key conditions of cooperation
through addressing the most important
obstacles;
• Supporting the co-operation initiatives of
various actors in the cross border area.
= A coherent and effective response to the
obstacles and weaknesses, relying on the
strengths and opportunities identified by the
SWOT analysis

10. Programme specific objectives
1. Improved access to transport infrastructure within
the eligible area to facilitate the mobility of goods and
people
2. Improved availability and dissemination of
information on joint opportunities within the border
area;
3. Sustainability of the intrinsic value of the area’s
natural resources by prudent exploitation and
effective protection of the fragile environment.
4. Sustainable economic development of the border
area by joint initiatives to identify and enhance
comparative advantages, and reduce disadvantages.
5. Social and cultural coherence strengthened by
cooperative actions between people and communities.

11. Programme priority axes
1. Accessibility
Improved mobility and access to
transport, information and
4. Technical assistance
communication infrastructure
2. Environment
Prudent exploitation and protection of
the intrinsic quality and value of the
area’s outstanding natural resources
3. Economic & Social Development
Economic and Social Development by
joint identification and enhancement of
the area’s comparative advantages

12. Priority Axis 1:
Accessibility
Main Objectives
· To improve cross border mobility through improving
existing conditions and developing new facilities for
transport in the eligible area.
· To enable efficient regular exchange of information and
data of cross border relevance

13. Priority Axis 1:
Accessibility
1. Improvements to land and
river cross border transport
facilities
Key-Areas
2. Development of information
and communications
networks and services within
the cross border area
Budget: 37% of the resources allocated to the
Programme

14. 1. 1. improve river and road transport
infrastructure having cross border
impact
- Construction, rehabilitation, widening of cross-border (segments
of) roads connecting settlements alongside the border to the
crossing points and/or small remote villages with main road, which
leads to the border;
- Improvement/restoration/construction of (segments of) roads
linking to the national/international systems as well as to economic
sites and tourist centres of cross border interest;
- Improvement/restoration/construction of ferry crossing points and
associated passenger, freight and vehicle infrastructure, equipment
and facilities, incl. construction of facilities that will assure the
access of disabled persons;
- Promotion of joint regular public transport systems and common
management systems to border crossings and zones of
interoperability, harmonisation of, and provision of bi-lingual
information on cross-border timetables and routes

15. 1.2. improve the public river and
roads cross border transport
services
- Investments to secure reliable and regular operation of ferryboats and
associated infrastructure;
Improvements to the safety of cross border transit and local traffic;
- Support to cross border traffic related services and supplies (bilingual
information services about traffic conditions, electronic sign posts; public
transport co-ordination measures, especially related to improving
intermodality, etc.);
- Cross border policy coordination among competent traffic decision
makers / bodies;
- Joint research studies, investigations and planning of environmentally
friendly transport initiatives and innovative solutions to resolve
bottlenecks (pilot projects, strategies, etc.);

16. 2.1. Supporting the development of
cross-border ICT based information
resources, cooperation and networking
• Joint investment in low cost ICT communications infrastructure
with cross border impact;
• Development of cross border connections, information and
communications networks and services.

17. 2.2. Extending community access to
cross border information and
communication
- Upgrading existing facilities to enable linkages between communities and
public services which promote co-operation on a cross-border and wider
international basis;
- Joint training programmes at schools and community centres aimed at
increasing IT understanding and use in cross border related activities;
- Bilingual community access programmes (in schools, libraries, public
places) in the area of IT for connecting within CB communication network;
- Bilingual cross border local information provision, promoting on-line use by
community groups, encouraging posting of local events and encouraging
people to get involved in cross border area community through ICT;
- Preparation of joint studies, surveys and research to identify priority areas
for improved communications by joint initiatives, including analysis of IT
infrastructure;
-Joint ICT awareness seminars/conferences/courses, dissemination of best
practice and exchange of experience; regular briefings in the local
newspapers; Setting up regular programmes in local TV/radio.

18. Priority axis 2:
Environment
Main Objectives
• To ensure effective protection and use of the area’s
natural assets by coordinated joint management
systems.
• To increase area’s awareness on the environmental
protection and management
• To protect local population, businesses, environment
and infrastructure from the potentially disastrous
consequences of natural and man-made crises, by
joint preventative actions and emergency response
services throughout the border area.

19. Priority axis 2:
Environment
1. Development of joint
management systems for
environmental protection
Key-Areas
2. Development of joint
infrastructure and services to
mitigate the impact of natural
and man-made crises,
including joint emergency
response services
Budget: 35% of the resources allocated to the
Programme

20. 1.1. improve nature protection and
conservation of cross border environment
−Cooperation between the existing institutional frameworks (e.g.
environment protection agencies, administrations of the protected areas) for
the protection of the shared natural environment, a cross border integrated
approach and networking;
- Development of the joint/correlated management plans for protected
areas;
- Improvements/setting up infrastructure in protected areas (e.g. places for
vistors);
Joint action-based solutions for safeguarding biodiversity;
- Support to establishment of area wide environmental monitoring centres
and laboratories, and facilitating cooperation between existing agencies and
institutions;

21. 1.2. improve the cross border public
awareness on environmental
management and protection
• Joint public awareness campaigns for environmental protection
and nature-friendly behaviour: joint conferences, workshops,
exhibitions, bi/multi-lingual promotional literature;
• Promotion and management of joint cross border information
campaigns focused on protecting the area’s fragile
environment, including cross-border and international
workshops on environmental risk prevention.;
• Joint bilingual training programmes on biodiversity
conservation and environment protection.

22. 2.1. Joint natural and technological
risk joint prevention
- Cooperation of existing institutional frameworks to harmonise activities in
the field of: Danube River flood prevention, water, air and soil quality
protection, contamination issues; Establishment of joint management
structures and technical systems to strengthen co-operation between
existing institutional frameworks and harmonise activities concerning
natural and technological risk joint prevention
· Implementation of integrated cross border flood prevention and
management systems, development of retention areas; Implementing joint
works for flood prevention;
· Cooperation of existing institutional frameworks to harmonise activities
and implement joint measures in the field of Black Sea shore protection and
rehabilitation;
· Elaboration of joint detailed maps, data bases indicating natural and
technological risks, and land use for regional planning authorities/
environmental agencies/ emergency services; Elaboration and distribution
of bilingual maps, information sheets and brochures about flood prevention
and environmental protection, including joint bi-lingual internet sites.

23. 2.2. Joint early warning and
emergency response activities
- Creation and/or harmonising of joint flood forecast signalling
systems;
- Purchasing common equipment for measuring/monitoring
environmental parameters, e.g. emission levels, water purity,
analysis of soil and water samples etc., and joint assessment of
results;
- Elaboration of studies and plans for joint disaster early warning,
control and emergency management, emphasising the sharing of
best practices; preparation of joint emergency and disaster
management plans;
- Investment in the development of small-scale regional level
cross-border infrastructure in the fields of emergency
preparedness;

24. 2.2. Joint early warning and emergency
response activities (cont)
- Support for the implementation of joint projects to forecast
possible crises (meteorological services, river level monitoring,
coastal climate monitoring);
- Cooperation among health-care service providers: joint
purchase and use of medical equipment, planning of joint
research infrastructure, establishment of on-line network for
emergency actions; creation of joint portfolio of health services
in emergency situations;
- Creation of joint structures for urgent, unexpected situations that
requires fast reaction/interventions;
- Joint studies and planning, including development of
communication links, joint monitoring, preventive interventions;
- Joint training (including bilingual skills) for staff involved in fast
responding to emergency/risk actions.

25. Priority axis 3: Economic
and Soc. Development
Main Objectives
• To develop cross border business infrastructure and
services
• To promote the image of the cross border area inside
and outside its boundaries
• To support development of joint integrated tourism
products based on the comparative advantages of the
cross border area
• To stimulate cross border cooperation between
universities, research institutes and businesses

26. Priority axis 3: Economic
and Soc. Development
Main objectives (cont)
• To support the cross border sharing of information on
employment opportunities
• To develop cross border training services for
employment, in connection with the integrated market
needs
• To develop cross border linkages and exchanges
between education/training centres
• To strengthen social and cultural coherence and co-
operation among local people and communities in the
programme area

27. Priority axis 3: Econ. and
Soc. Development
1. Support for cross border business
cooperation and promotion of regional
image and identity
Key-Areas 2. Cooperation on human resources
development – joint development of skills
and knowledge
3. People-to-people actions
Budget: 22% of the resources allocated to the Programme

28. 1.1 Support for cross border
business infrastructure development
and promotion of cooperation
• Construction/rehabilitation/extension of business infrastructure
facilities (joint logistical centres, trade centres, business
incubators) directly serving the development of cross border
business and trade;
• Refurbishment of existing business infrastructure facilities
directly serving the development of cross-border business and
trade;
• Establishment of centres for exchange of information on cross
border economic cooperation;
• Support for cross border information services for SMEs (web-
based information, newsletters, etc.).

29. 1.2 General networking to promote
foreign investment and a positive
regional identity and image
• Organisation of cross-border business events, facilitating the meeting
of small and medium sized businesses (sectoral conferences, trade
fairs, study tours, forums for searching partners and dissemination of
information on the cross border cooperation results and projects);
• Joint workshops and seminars setting out the climate for creating
robust networks for economic cooperation, identifying key issues and
challenges for successful cooperation;
• Developing information networks for the promotion and
communication of the area’s image;
• Multi-media promotion of area’s positive regional characteristics
derived from surveys;
• Elaboration of strategies for managing the challenges of developing
CB networks, network development capacity building and strategic
partnership building.

30. 1.3. Promotion of cross border
tourist networks and diversification of
existing cross-border tourist services
• Support in creating, upgrading and improving tourist
attractions;
• Support to establishment of cross border tourist development
agency to coordinate and publicise the region’s tourist facilities
and potential;
• Support to development of integrated tourism facilities,
products and services;
• Regional studies to identify advantageous tourist products and
target markets;
• Development and upgrade of facilities and infrastructure which
enables a co-ordinated activation of cross border leisure
activities;

31. 1.3. Promotion of cross border tourist
networks and diversification of existing
cross-border tourist services (cont)
• Promotion and development of public cross-border infrastructure
for tourism e.g. historic tourist roads, roads (including scenic
routes) within tourism areas, roads providing access to these
areas, walking and cycle paths, facilities for adventure tourism;
• Establishment of joint bilingual tourist information systems;
• Development of cross border bilingual tourist information signs;
• Establishment of common systems linking Danube/Black Sea
tourism service providers;.
• Elaboration of research studies and data collection to support
tourism and creative industries development, e.g. feasibility
studies, mapping and environmental impact studies.

32. 1.4. Promotion of cross border co-
operation between universities, research
institutes and businesses in the field of
R&D and innov.
• Cooperation of universities, research institutes and SMEs in the
field of R&D and innovation, development of joint scholarship
programmes to researchers;
• Implementation of joint research projects, dissemination of
information of the R&D results;
• Preparation of research studies for identifying market gaps,
market opportunities and joint high value added products,
processes and services and dissemination of results within the
cross border area;
• Studies or surveys to identify positive advantages of the border
area, emphasising its European dimension, research studies;

33. 1.4. Promotion of cross border co-operation
between universities, research institutes and
businesses in the field of R&D and innov. (cont)
• Studies on area’s development trends and opportunities and their
exploitation for common benefit (e.g. themes of general economic
development in the context of intensified transport on the
European transport corridors that cross the border area);
• Creation of a joint information base for the area collecting,
identifying and publishing opportunities, contacts for activities of
a cross border character;
• Transfer of know how and experience to identify best CBC socio-
economic project ideas;
• Feasibility studies and elaboration of joint master plans and
schemes, ensuring the necessary plan basis for territorial
development;
• Creation of general marketing strategy for setting up and
representing of positive regional identity and image.

34. 1.5. Joint marketing and promotion of
cross border products
• Cross border marketing initiatives to promote joint products,
services and places of common interest;
• Joint promotions for regional products and services at trade
fairs;.
• Creation of trade directories listing products and services in
the area.

35. 2.1. Support for a cross border
sharing of information on
employment opportunities
• Development of cross-border approach to targeting structural
unemployment;
• Cooperation in employment services to establishing networks
among institutions operating in the labour market for the
provision and dissemination of information;
• Initiatives to reconcile differences between legal requirements
by cross-border labour markets, economic and social systems
(establishment of joint labour market monitoring and
information system, elaboration of databases, exchange of
information, experiences, best practices);

36. 2.2. Development of specific
training services for employment,
in connection with the integrated
market needs
• Support to the development of training and educational
facilities of education institutions and vocational schools,
directly serving cross-border co-operation in human resource
development;
• Elaboration and delivery of specialised training programmes at
vocational schools in sectors where lack of specific skills were
identified;
• Training for early school leavers, for people with special
needs, for example women returning to work
• Bilingual education

37. 2.3. Development of cross border
linkages and exchanges between
education/training centres
• Creation of special networks for knowledge, best practices
transfer among education institutions to develop skills needed
for future employment;
• Support for cross-border co-operation of higher education
institutions in the fields of joint curricula development,
exchange of courses, training programmes, in relation to future
employment opportunities;
• Cooperation between universities/training centres, such as
changes between teachers, development of joint courses

38. 3.1 Support for development of civil
society and local communities
• Small-scale collaborative projects and pilot actions between
local organisations;
• Organisation of joint conferences, seminars and workshops in
different fields;
• Actions to promote spread of good practice from “poles of
excellence” to less developed areas in the border regions.
3.2. Improvement of local governance
• Co-operation between public administration bodies on themes of
mutual interest, including harmonisation of local services,
exchange programmes for administrative staff.

39. 3.3. Increase of cultural, health and
sporting exchange
• Organisation of joint innovative and sustainable events in the field of
culture, sports, youth, health, science, education;
• Protection of the national culture and protection of cultural inheritance
and diversity along the border through supporting cross-border
cooperation of cultural institutions (museums and theatres, libraries,
community cultural centres) and events;
• Development of common cross-border undertakings in the area of
education, sport and culture;
• Co-operation in cross border leisure activities.
3.4. Enhance of social and cultural
integration of border area
• Renewal and maintenance of the regional cultural traditions;
• Support of creating common products of culture and traditional crafts.

40. Priority axis 4:
Technical assistance
Main Objectives
• To enhance the quality and coherence of actions under the
Programme
• To provide assurance to Member States authorities and the
European Commission that the assistance is properly
managed, monitored and accounted for
• To secure the best and most effective use of the assistance
through effective and efficient implementation
• To ensure that the assistance is published in a manner that
raises awareness and aids the development of the
Programme; supports equality of access to the assistance
and informs all audience of the Programme’s achievements

41. Priority axis 4:
Technical assistance
1. Support for the implementation
and overall management of the OP
Key-Areas
2. Support to the communication
and evaluation of the OP
Budget: 6% of the ERDF resources allocated to the
Programme

42. Thank you for your attention !
Ministry of European Integration -
Directorate for Territorial Cooperation
with EU Member States
Cristina COLODEICIUC
Phone: + 4021 311 41 91 – ext. 1967
+ 40 749 196 144
e-mail cristina.colodeiciuc@dr.mie.ro