Transnational cooperation with the participation of Poland is implemented under two European Territorial Cooperation programmes:
-
Baltic Sea Region Programme
apart from Poland it is participated by: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Lithuania, Latvia, Germany (selected regions), Sweden and 3 non-EU countries: Belarus (selected regions), Norway and Russia (selected regions);
-
Central Europe Programme
apart from Poland it is participated by: Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany (selected regions), Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary, Italy (selected regions), Ukraine (selected regions).
This will replace the following transnational cooperation programmes: INTERRREG III B BSR and INTERREG III B CADSES, implemented under the Community Initiative INTERREG III
The allocation awarded to Poland for transnational cooperation under the European Territorial Cooperation is EUR 119.234 million.
The major priorities of cooperation implemented under individual transnational cooperation operational programmes cover:
1. Support to innovation by:
-
international knowledge transfer,
-
development and implementation of transnational innovation strategies,
-
facilitating cooperation between science and research institutions and production sector,
-
establishment of cooperation network between SMEs and virtual clusters,
-
cooperation between entrepreneurship incubators,
-
establishment of cooperation network between science and research institutions and higher education institutions,
-
ensuring conditions for advancement of knowledge through setting up transnational training networks within the field of lifelong learning and higher education,
-
developing strategies and action plans concerning connections between human resources development and knowledge development,
-
development of transnational strategies of demographic changes management,
-
ensuring cooperation between training institutions and labour offices,
-
actions aimed at improving access of SMEs to ICT.
2. Improving access to area of programming and within this area by:
-
development of communication solutions for the metropolitan, urban, rural and remote areas,
-
support to activities within the field of ensuring multi-modal transport,
-
increasing the quality and attractiveness of public transport in urban areas,
-
use of advanced technological solutions for managing traffic,
-
increased access to information and services (e-learning, e-government, e-business),
-
development of strategies aimed at increasing safety and security of transport.
3. Increasing attractiveness and competitiveness of cities and regions by:
-
drawing up integrated strategies for urban areas development and regional development,
-
enabling lasting cooperation of metropolitan areas,
-
establishment of polycentric structures,
-
preparation of a urban areas support strategy within the frameworks of shared use of infrastructure, use of services and recreational facilities,
-
reducing negative impact of demographic and social changes on development of urban areas and regional development, the use of cultural heritage to increase the attractiveness of cities and regions, including through cooperation between culture and art institutions.
4. Sensible use and management of natural environment by:
-
increasing (water, air, soil) purity,
-
activities aimed at reducing the risk and effects of natural disasters and disasters caused by men,
-
preparation of joint projects in the field of conservation and management of protected areas,
-
support to environment friendly technologies,
-
development of plans for regeneration of post-industrial areas,
-
use of renewable energy sources,
-
use of alternative energy sources in transport, etc.
The potential Beneficiaries of the transnational cooperation programmes cover:
-
entities taking part in spatial development policy implementation at national, regional and local level,
-
local and regional authorities,
-
institutions engaged in regional development, as well as urban and rural areas development, environmental protection, transport, technologies and innovations,
-
social and economic partners,
-
NGOs,
-
regional development agencies,
-
other agencies involved in promotion of entrepreneurship, innovativeness, etc.