EC adopts Joint Operational Program Romania-Ukraine-Moldova

The European Commission has adopted the Joint Operational Program Romania-Ukraine-Republic of Moldova ENPI CBC 2007-2013. This is the first cross-border cooperation program at the external borders of the EU financed and implemented under the European Neighborhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI) 2007-2013, Info-Prim Neo reports, citing the official webpage of the program. The eligible area of the Program covers the Romanian counties of Suceava, Botosani, Iasi , Vaslui, Tulcea and Galati; the Ukrainian oblasts of Odessa and Chernivtsi; and the entire territory of the Republic of Moldova. The Joint Operational Program has a total budget of 137,4 m EUR for the programming period, of which the EU's contribution through ENPI is about 126 million EUR, and the national contribution of the partner states is about 11.4 million EUR. The funds are allocated to each priority as specified in the Program and financing contracts will be awarded to the best projects following calls for proposals open to applicants from the partner countries. The program will finance projects supporting economic and social development, environmental protection, investments in transport infrastructure, energy, water supply, as well as social and cultural exchanges, activities of the local communities for the development of the civil society. The projects must have a cross-border nature and must be developed in partnership by organizations from both sides of the borders. In order to be eligible, at least one partner in the project must be Romanian and one from Ukraine/Republic of Moldova. The eligible beneficiaries for this Program are mainly local and regional authorities, non-governmental organizations, non-profit organizations, professional associations, universities, research institutes, educational institutions, etc.