Brussels, 18/04/2001 (Agence Europe) - On 17 April, the European Commission approved two Interreg III programmes in favour of the development of cross border cooperation between border regions of the Scandinavian countries. These programmes cover the 2000-2006 period and will be financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The first, doted with a Community financial contribution of EUR 24 million, concerns the region of Kvarken-Mittskandia that extends from Norway to Finland via Sweden. This financing should attract additional investments of EUR 24 million from the State and EUR 3 million for private sources. Moreover, Norway will contribute an aid of EUR 6 million, which will increase the budget to EUR 57 million. The second programme concerns the maritime regions of the Skargarden islands, which constitute a bridge between Finland and Sweden. They will benefit from a Community contribution of EUR 8.6 million and will mobilise EUR 9.8 million in national public/private contributions.
The Kvarken-Mittskandia programme will provide an aid to the regions of Vasterbotten, in Sweden, Ostrobothnie and Northern Ostrobothnie, in Finland, and Helgeland in Norway. Due to its peripheral location, the region of Kvarken-Mittskandia must tackle economic difficulties such as the lagging in the development of certain areas that only reach 20% of the EU average. However, this is one of the least populated regions of the EU. The programme aims to create a cross border region benefiting from good communications, active cooperation and solid cohesion by supporting actions centred around the following two axis: 1. Common functions - infrastructure, communications, competences (EU contribution: EUR 16.55 million); 2. Common values - environment, culture and tourism (EU contribution: EUR 5.45 million). It foresees a global priority axis concerning sustainable development, job creation and equal opportunities. These aims are an increase of 55% in the number of workers undertaking a daily commute from one country to another, or a aid to maintain or create between 250 and 300 jobs, an increase of 50% in the number of companies and organisations member of cross border networks, the introduction of education and research networks in the region and the four fold increase in the number of company networks and commercial networks. The administrative council of the Vasterbotten committee is responsible for its management.
The implementation of the Skargarden programme is based in two priorities, to which is added a core of technical assistance. In the aim of emphasising the value of tourism and to reinvigorate the territory's economy, the first axis aims to favour marketing and industrial development, vital conditions for the creation of companies and jobs (EU contribution: EUR 6.1 million). The second axis aims to resolve the problems presented by the sensitivity of the environment and the development of society in the islands (EU contribution: EUR 1.75 million). The management authority for the programme is Alands Landskapstyrelse.
The implementation of the two programmes will be ensured by the creation of a partnership between the national and regional authorities concerned as well as with various local organisations, including the economic and social partners and environmental organisations.