Brussels, 22/02/2002 (Agence Europe) - On Friday, the European Commission gave the go-ahead to the launch of an Interreg III programme for the northern periphery of Europe (Finland, Scotland, Sweden, Norway, the Faeroe Islands and Greenland) to the tune of EUR 50 million (EUR 21.3 million of which in EU funding and EUR 29 million from national governments, the private sector and non-EU countries). The programme covers the Highlands and Islands in Scotland, the Objective 1 regions and adjacent coastal areas in Norrbotten, Västerbotten, Västernorrlanda and Gävleborg in Sweden and the Objective 1 regions and adjacent areas in Kesti-Suomi, Pohjois-Pohjanmaa and Keski-Pohjanmaa in Finland.
The partners of the programme have set a series of targes, including 20% of projects for young people, 20% directly involving SMEs and half of all projects with partners from more than 3 countries. Iceland and norwth-west Russia may also participate. The piorities are communications (EU funding EUR 4.9 million); economic development (EUR 8.5 mil in EU funding) and community development (in response to increasing centralisation) (EUR 6.4 mil in EU funding). Another EUR 1.5 mil is being provided for technical assistance.