Future shape of the Programme

Relation to other programmes, strategic documents and regulations proposals

The following subchapter discusses the proposals for the future thematic scope of the future assistance programme similar to South Baltic Programme. In the first part, the relation between the Programme and other strategic documents is analysed. Based on the analysis results, the possible thematic areas for the future Programme were defined. In the second part of the chapter these thematic areas were verified based on the interviews’ results.

The first part of this chapter is based on the results of desk research and answers following research questions:

 How can the Programme contribute to achieving the objectives of Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region in the next financial perspective?

 How could the Programme contribute to implementation of the Strategy Europe 2020 and in which areas?

 To what extent is the Programme compliant with the thematic areas and investment proposals included in the Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on specific provisions concerning the European Regional Development Fund and the Investment for growth and jobs goal and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1080/2006 (2011/0275)12

 What are the differences between the Programme and other ETC programmes covering/ bordering eligible area of the South Baltic Programme? How should it differ in the next financial perspective?

How can the Programme contribute to achieving the objectives of Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region in the next financial perspective?

The EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region was adopted by the European Council on the 26.10.2009. It aims at reinforcing cooperation within this large region in order to face several challenges by working together as well as promoting a more balanced development in the area. In the strategy 3 objectives (previously in 4 pillars) are distinguished. They represent the three key challenges of the Strategy: saving the sea, connecting the region, and increasing prosperity. To achieve those aims in the Strategy there were 15 Priority areas defined. Table 22 presents the priorities of the strategy and their realisation to the activities implemented in the South Baltic Programme. The South Baltic Programme is highly compliant with the Strategy in 5 of the 15 15 priority areas– the supported projects are implementing the objectives of the Strategy (Priority Area 1 - Nutrient inputs to the sea; Priority Area 8 - Entrepreneurship, SMEs and human resources, Priority Area 10 - Energy market, Priority Area 11 - Transport links, Priority Area 12 - Education and youth, Tourism, Culture and Health). In other 4 cases the indicative actions realised within the South Baltic Programme are partly compliant with the Priority areas of the Strategy (Priority Area 2 - Natural zones and biodiversity, Priority Area 3 - Hazardous substances, Priority Area 5 - Climate change, Priority Area 7 - Research and innovation). There are five Priority areas which exceed the thematic scope of the South Baltic Programme. These are:

- Priority Area 4 - Clean shipping

- Priority Area 9 - Agriculture, forestry and fisheries

12

Taking into account changes resulting from the compromise on thematic concentration reached during the Danish PresidencyCOM(2011)

Final Report

- Priority Area 13 - Maritime safety and security - Priority Area 14 - Major emergencies

Final Report

Table 22. Compliance between the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region and The South Baltic Programme

Priority Areas of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region

Compliance

level Measures within the South Baltic Programme

Priority Area 1 - Nutrient inputs to

the sea High

2.1 Management of the Baltic Sea environment

Indicative action: joint cross-border actions aiming at decreasing the outflows of nutrients and pesticides from small and diffuse sources, such as farms, farming land, smaller settlements and private households Priority Area 2 - Natural zones and

biodiversity

Middle

2.1 Management of the Baltic Sea environment

Indicative action: development of strategies and methods for Integrated Coastal Zone Management and sea use planning based on joint cross-border solutions 2.3 Sustainable use of natural and cultural heritage for regional development

Indicative action: development of cross-border strategies for preservation and use of natural and cultural heritage sites, areas, landscapes and traditions for regional development Priority Area 3 - Hazardous

substances Middle

2.1 Management of the Baltic Sea environment

Indicative action: joint cross-border actions to enhance local and regional preparedness and response in case of natural and/or environmental disasters on the Baltic Sea, including cross-border risk management systems and related infrastructure

Priority Area 4 - Clean shipping None

Priority Area 5 - Climate change

Middle 2.2. Energy saving and renewable energy

Indicative action: exchange of knowledge, preparation and implementation of joint action plans on renewable energy sources and energy saving patterns Priority Area 6 - Internal market

Low

1.1 Entrepreneurial development

Indicative action: strengthening of platforms and networks for better liaising between small and medium sized enterprises in the South Baltic Area 1.2 Integration of higher education and labour markets

Indicative action: provision and testing of training programmes for SMEs in their activities on the cross-border labour market in order to improve their communication and inter-culture skills Priority Area 7 - Research and

innovation

Middle

1.1 Entrepreneurial development

Indicative action: enhancement of research networks (universities and R&D institutions) towards their better linkages to enterprises and local and regional governments 2.2 Energy saving and renewable energy

Indicative action: joint research, testing and preparation of small-scale pilot investments in the field of renewable energy belongs to the indicative actions Priority Area 8 - Entrepreneurship,

SMEs and human resources

High

1.1 Entrepreneurial development

Indicative action: joint initiatives of intermediary support structures for SMEs (development agencies, business foundations, chambers of commerce and industry, chambers of crafts, technological parks, business incubators etc.) aimed to improve absorption of innovations and increase of competences in the private sector

1.2: Integration of higher education and labour markets

Indicative action: provision and testing of training programmes for SMEs in their activities on the cross-border labour market in order to improve their communication and inter-culture skills Priority Area 9 - Agriculture,

forestry and fisheries Low

2.3 Sustainable use of natural and cultural heritage for regional development

Indicative action: development of cross-border strategies for preservation and use of natural and cultural heritage sites, areas, landscapes and traditions for regional development

Priority Area 10 - Energy market High 2.2 Energy saving and renewable energy

Priority Area 11 - Transport links High 1.3 Transport accessibility

Priority Area 12 - Education and

youth, Tourism, Culture and Health High

2.3 Sustainable use of natural and cultural heritage for regional development 2.4 Local community initiatives

Priority Area 13 - Maritime safety and security

None

Priority Area 14 - Major

emergencies

None

Priority Area 15 - Cross border crime

None

Final Report

How could the Programme contribute to implementation of the Strategy Europe 2020 and in which areas? The Europe 2020 Strategy for the intelligent and sustainable development was adopted by the Council of Europe on 17.06. 2012. In the Strategy three priorities were defined:

- Smart growth - Sustainable growth - Inclusive growth

As the effect of the priorities implementation 5 targets should be achieved: 1. Employment - 75% of the 20-64 year-olds to be employed

2. R&D - 3% of the EU's GDP to be invested in R&D 3. Climate change / energy:

- greenhouse gas emissions 20% (or even 30%, if the conditions are right) lower than 1990 - 20% of energy from renewables

- 20% increase in energy efficiency 4. Education

- educing school drop-out rates below 10%

- at least 40% of 30-34–year-olds completing third level education

5. Poverty / social exclusion - at least 20 million fewer people in or at risk of poverty and social exclusion As instruments leading to achievement of the stated above targets 7 flagship projects (initiatives) have been established. The compliance between those flagship initiatives and the current scope of the South Baltic Programme was analysed (table 23).

Table 23. Compliance between flagship projects (initiatives) of the Europe 2020 Strategy and The South Baltic Programme

Flagship projects (initiatives) of the Europe 2020 Strategy

Compliance level

Measures within the South Baltic Programme

Smart growth

- Digital agenda for Europe None

- Innovation Union

Middle

1.1 Entrepreneurial development

Indicative action:

enhancement of research networks (universities and R&D institutions) towards their better linkages to enterprises and local and regional governments

2.2 Energy saving and renewable energy Indicative action:

joint research, testing and preparation of small-scale pilot investments in the field of renewable energy

Final Report Indicative actions:

joint actions of labour offices, business organisations, labour unions and educational institutions for the preparation of practical solutions in the field of education and lifelong learning, adaptable to changing requirements of the labour market and its advancing integration in the South Baltic area;

development of practical solutions to improve accessibility of educational centres and availability of new forms of education (e.g. e-learning, exchange courses for researchers) on the integrating labour market in the South Baltic area

Sustainable growth - Resource efficient Europe

High

1.3 Transport accessibility Indicative action:

provision of practical solutions to increase sustainability and quality of passenger transport services in the South Baltic area 2.2 Energy saving and renewable energy

Indicative actions:

exchange of knowledge, preparation and implementation of joint action plans on renewable energy sources and energy saving patterns;

promotion of South Baltic achievements in the field of energy saving and renewable energy on internal and external fora - An industrial policy for the

globalisation era High

1.1 Entrepreneurial development

Inclusive growth

- An agenda for new skills and jobs

High

1.2 Integration of higher education on labour markets Indicative actions:

joint actions of labour market institutions dedicated to an increase of the labour force mobility and to counteract negative processes on the cross-border labour market (e.g. “brain-drain”, youth unemployment, exclusion of gender or age groups, ageing of the population etc.);

provision and testing of training programmes for SMEs in their activities on the cross-border labour market in order to improve their communication and inter-culture skills;

- European platform against poverty

Middle

1.2 Integration of higher education on labour markets Indicative action:

joint actions of labour offices, business organisations, labour unions and educational institutions for the preparation of practical solutions in the field of education and lifelong learning, adaptable

Final Report to changing requirements of the labour market and its advancing integration in the South Baltic area

2.4 Local community initiatives Indicative actions:

joint events increasing involvement of local communities and institutions, administrative structures, media and NGOs, with a particularly focus on young generation and on rural areas in the South Baltic area;

conferences, training seminars and study visits for an exchange of good practice within specific fields of interest, e.g. economic planning, employment, social inclusion, youth policies, rural development, environmental protection, natural and cultural heritage etc.; establishment and development of durable networks between NGOs within specific fields of interest, e.g. social and health care, culture and cultural heritage, environment and natural heritage, youth, local community development etc.;

preparation of pilot and innovative projects focusing on common values, such as good governance, exchange of good practice, promotion of gender equalities etc.; joint actions to create sustainable development conditions in rural and small town communities, including joint cross-border co-operation structures;

Source: own elaboration

Implementation of the South Baltic Programme can contribute to achievement of almost all of the objectives of the Europe 2020 Strategy, though supporting projects concerning thematic areas accordant with the flagship initiatives.

In the current programming period there is a clear connection between 4 flagship initiatives and the measures of the South Baltic Programme. The initiatives Youth on the move and An agenda for new skills and jobs is implemented through the Programme’s measure 1.2 Integration of higher education on labour markets. The objective of this measure is to strengthen liaisons between higher education and labour market institutions of the South Baltic regions. The flagship initiative Resource efficient Europe is partly implemented though the measure 1.3 Transport accessibility, where indicative actions are: provision of practical solutions to increase sustainability and quality of passenger transport services in the South Baltic area, and measure 2.2 Energy saving and renewable energy. Another flagship initiative partly implemented through the projects in the South Baltic is the initiative entitled An industrial policy for the globalisation era. In the South Baltic Programme a similar scope has the measure 1.1 Entrepreneurial development. Two of the three remaining flagship initiatives are indirectly implemented by the projects in the South Baltic Programme. This group includes the initiative Innovation Union, which aims at improvement framework conditions and access to finance for research and innovation. In the South Baltic Programme the research and development institutions can be a potential beneficiary in every type of projects. Moreover enhancement of research networks is previewed in the measure 1.1 and in the measure 2.2. To the indicative actions belongs joint research, testing and preparation of small-scale pilot investments in the field of renewable energy. The flagship measure European platform against poverty can be partially implemented by activities in the measures 1.1, 1.2 and 2.4. In the next programming period actions against poverty and social exclusion could be distinguished as one of the indicative actions in the current measure 2.4. In the

Final Report South Baltic programme there are no activities previewed which will aim at facilitation connection to high- speed internet. Bearing in mind the differentiation of the regional conditions in the South Baltic Programme eligible countries support for such kind of actions would be very differentiated in the Programme area.

To what extent is the Programme compliant with the thematic areas and investment proposals included in the Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on specific provisions concerning the European Regional Development Fund and the Investment for growth and jobs goal and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1080/2006 (2011/0275)?

In the article 5 Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on specific provisions concerning the European Regional Development Fund and the Investment for growth and jobs goal and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1080/2006 (2011/0275) the thematic objectives for the CSF Funds and Common Strategic Framework are defined. There are 11 thematic objectives that should be implemented in order to contribute to the Union strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. In the following list the thematic areas marked with bold are those to which current measures implemented within the framework of the South Baltic Programme are compliant. The thematic areas marked with italic are partly implemented by the South Baltic projects13.

- strengthening research, technological development and innovation;

- enhancing access to, and use and quality of, information and communication technologies;

- enhancing the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises, the agricultural sector (for the EAFRD) and the fisheries and aquaculture sector (for the EMFF);

- supporting the shift towards a low-carbon economy in all sectors;

- promoting climate change adaptation, risk prevention and management;

- protecting the environment and promoting resource efficiency;

- promoting sustainable transport and removing bottlenecks in key network infrastructures;

- promoting employment and supporting labour mobility;

- promoting social inclusion and combating poverty; - investing in education, skills and lifelong learning;

- enhancing institutional capacity and an efficient public administration.

The compliance analyses taking into account also the investment priorities listed in the article 5 is presented in the table 24.

13

Taking into account changes resulting from the compromise on thematic concentration reached during the Danish Presidency COM(2011) 615 final/2, COM(2011) 607 final/2, COM (2011) 614 final, COM (2011) 612 final/2 COM(2011) 611 final/2

Final Report

Table 24. Compliance between the investment priorities and The South Baltic Programme

No. Investment priorities Compliance

level Programme measures and indicative actions

1 strengthening research, technological development and innovation

a enhancing research and innovation (R&I) infrastructure and capacities to develop R&I excellence and promoting centres of

competence, in particular those of European interest;

None

b promoting business investment in innovation and research, and developing links and synergies between enterprises, R&D centres

and higher education, in particular product and service development, technology transfer, social innovation and public service applications, demand stimulation, networking, clusters and open innovation through smart specialisation […] supporting technological and applied research, pilot lines, early product validation actions, advanced manufacturing capabilities and first production in Key Enabling Technologies and diffusion of general purpose technologies;

Middle Measure 1.1 Indicative action:

enhancement of research networks (universities and R&D institutions) towards their better linkages to enterprises and local and regional governments

development of practical solutions increasing application of international research findings in a concrete business environment 2 enhancing access to and use and quality of ICT:

a extending broadband deployment and the roll-out of high-speed networks and supporting the adoption of emerging technologies

and networks for the digital economy;

None

b developing ICT products and services, e-commerce and enhancing demand for ICT; None

c strengthening ICT applications for e-government, e-learning, e-inclusion, e-culture and e-health; None

3 enhancing the competitiveness of SMEs:

a promoting entrepreneurship, in particular by facilitating the economic exploitation of new ideas and fostering the creation of new

firms, including through business incubators;

High Measure 1.1

Indicative action:

joint initiatives of intermediary support structures for SMEs (development agencies, business foundations, chambers of commerce and industry, chambers of crafts, technological parks, business incubators etc.) aimed to improve absorption of innovations and increase of competences in the private sector

b developing and implementing new business models for SMEs, in particular for internationalisation; High Measure 1.1

Indicative actions: strengthening of platforms and networks for better liaising between small and medium sized enterprises in the South Baltic area;

testing and dissemination of best systemic and organisational models for the triple-helix concept

c supporting the creation and the extension of advanced capacities for product and service development; None

d supporting the capacity of SMEs to engage in growth and innovation process; Middle Measure 1.1

Indicative action:

enhancement of research networks (universities and R&D institutions) towards their better linkages to enterprises and local and regional governments

development of practical solutions increasing application of international research findings in a concrete business environment 4 supporting the shift towards a low-carbon economy in all sectors:

a promoting the production and distribution of renewable energy sources; High Measure 2.2

Indicative actions:

Final Report

c supporting energy efficiency and renewable energy use in public infrastructures, including in public buildings and in the housing

sector;

Middle exchange of knowledge, preparation and implementation of joint action plans on renewable energy sources and energy saving patterns;

joint research, testing and preparation of small-scale pilot investments in the field of renewable energy;

promotion of South Baltic achievements in the field of energy saving and renewable energy on internal and external for a;

d developing and implementing smart distribution systems at low and medium voltage levels; None

e promoting low-carbon strategies for all types of territories, in particular urban areas, including the promotion of sustainable urban

mobility and mitigation relevant adaptation measures;

Low

Measure 2.2 Indicative actions:

exchange of knowledge, preparation and implementation of joint action plans on renewable energy sources and energy saving

In document Effectiveness of the South Baltic Cross-border Co-operation Programme ; challenges and aims for the Programme for the time period (Page 57-95)