Projects part financed by the European Union Please read this slide and then remove This presentation provides an outline of the Draft Operational Programme for INTERREG IV for use in consultations organised by stakeholder groups. It is not recommended that the entire presentation is used in one go. The end of each section is indicated by the questions to which we would like responses. You may wish to present each section and then allow time for discussion before moving on to the next section. You can tailor the presentation to meet the needs of the group with which you are consulting.

Projects part financed by the European Union Consultation EU Cross Border Territorial Cooperation ( INTERREG IV ) 2007 – 2013 Northern Ireland, the Border Region of Ireland and Western Scotland

Projects part financed by the European Union INTERREG IV “ supporting strategic cross-border cooperation for a more prosperous region and improving access to services to enhance the quality of life ”

Projects part financed by the European Union INTERREG IV to strengthen and deepen cross-border cooperation by supporting strategic plans and projects which maximise the impact of the funds to support strategic cross-border cooperation for a more prosperous region to improve access to services to enhance the quality of life for those living in the eligible area.

Projects part financed by the European Union Presentation of the region The eligible areas for the Programme are : Three NUTS III areas in Northern Ireland (the North, East, and West and South areas) The NUTS III Border Region of Ireland, (Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Louth, Monaghan and Sligo - the same area as the Border Regional Authority) Regions in Western Scotland (Lochaber, Skye and Lochalsh, Argyll and the Islands, Dumfries and Galloway, and East, North and South Ayrshire)

Projects part financed by the European Union Presentation of the region Productivity and employment: –improved over the last number years, –this positive growth needs to be qualified when compared with national averages; Sectoral employment: –continuing over dependence on agriculture which is facing critical changes, –reliance on traditional manufacturing industries and pressure from low cost producers; –continued overdependence on the public sector for output and employment in Northern Ireland and parts of Western Scotland.

Projects part financed by the European Union Presentation of the region Education: –Northern Ireland and the Border Region have much lower levels of third-level trained population than Western Scotland or Ireland. –the Border Region has higher numbers of students in further education than both Northern Ireland and Western Scotland; Innovation and the knowledge economy: –the eligible area is underperforming in its potential to achieve successful knowledge-based local economies;

Projects part financed by the European Union Presentation of the region Enterprise and entrepreneurship: –levels of enterprise and entrepreneurship in Northern Ireland and Scotland are below average for the UK and Ireland. – lack of cross-border networking between Northern Ireland and Ireland which is potentially hindering economic development; Tourism: –despite high quality landscapes and general growth in tourism sector remains below the national averages;

Projects part financed by the European Union Presentation of the region Infrastructure and communication: –deficiencies in transport infrastructure and connectivity to the European economic heartland –high dependency on landfill with low household recycling rates; Environment: –high quality natural landscapes and coastal environment coming under pressure. Inclusion of Scotland in the Programme presents opportunities to develop and manage natural resource in new ways.

Projects part financed by the European Union Presentation of the region Energy: –utilisation of renewable energy in Northern Ireland, Ireland and Scotland is considerably lower than other EU states; –the natural environment offers unique opportunities to develop wind, wave and biomass renewable energy production Cross-border co-operation: –eligible areas share common features with other peripheral border areas across the European Union –isolated or marginalised communities resulting from long-term impact of militarisation of the border and road closures.

Projects part financed by the European Union INTERREG IIIA has delivered High level of cross-border/transnational engagement: –‘joint’ identification of need, project development and implementation arrangements –transnational programmes have created a culture of cooperation between States; Promoting economic and social development: –important contribution to cross-border economic and social development through support for business, skills training and infrastructure,

Projects part financed by the European Union INTERREG IIIA has delivered Contribution to broader national and EU objectives : –the Lisbon and Gothenburg agendas. –operated more closely within a North-South strategic framework Support for innovation: –innovative ways of overcoming obstacles to cross-border co-operation and addressing needs in border areas.

Projects part financed by the European Union Lessons from INTERREG IIIA The importance of an early start Achieving the correct balance of administrative structures and processes Adopting a more strategic approach to investment: –outcomes may have been spread ‘too thinly’ –strategic investments would increase impact Developmental support for projects can provide added benefits Meetings with implementing bodies provide opportunities for stakeholders to network, share experience build cross-border relations

Projects part financed by the European Union Consultation questions Question 1: What are your views on the description of the region and the main evaluation findings and lessons from the previous Programme as presented in this section of the Operational Programme?

Projects part financed by the European Union Programme strategy Strategic objectives Cooperation for a more prosperous cross-border region: –to diversify and develop the economy by encouraging innovation and competitiveness in enterprise and business development, and promoting tourism Cooperation for a sustainable cross- border region: –to promote cross-border cooperation in policy development and improve access to services and the quality of life for those living in the eligible area.

Projects part financed by the European Union Programme strategy Cross-cutting themes Equality Sustainable Development; Partnership. to ensure the activities are coherent with government policy in Northern Ireland, Ireland and Scotland.

Projects part financed by the European Union Consultation questions Question 2: What are your views on the overall objective and strategic objectives of the Programme? Is this the correct focus for the INTERREG Programme? Question 3: What are your views on the Programme’s approach to the three cross cutting themes and the development of strategic projects?

Projects part financed by the European Union Programme Priorities and Areas of Intervention Priority 1: Cooperation for a more prosperous cross border region Regional cooperation for enterprise –support for significant developments in the North-West area –Business support: assist new and existing businesses to grow nationally and internationally by supporting innovation and creative activities –Investment in business infrastructure: incubator units for business starts, provision of high quality workspace, investments in specific sectors development of business sector education and training –Networking: promoting stronger business and entrepreneurial environment by encouraging cross-border collaboration

Projects part financed by the European Union Programme Priorities and Areas of Intervention Priority 1: Cooperation for a more prosperous cross border region Tourism –support for the development for tourism products that will attract domestic and overseas visitors and improve the performance of the tourism industry –focus on encouraging projects which develop tourism activities and broaden the tourism season. –support for the promotion of the tourism product through tailored marketing

Projects part financed by the European Union Budget Priority 1: Cooperation for a more prosperous cross border region Regional cooperation for enterprise Tourism  €60m - €105m (ERDF funding only) 25% match funding required from other public sources

Projects part financed by the European Union Programme Priorities and Areas of Intervention Priority 2: Cooperation for a sustainable cross-border region Cooperation for development –innovative ways of addressing specific cross- border problems, –delivering services within border areas –promoting sustainable communities through cross-border cooperation and exchange of expertise, information and best practice between public bodies and other relevant stakeholders

Projects part financed by the European Union Programme Priorities and Areas of Intervention Priority 2: Cooperation for a sustainable cross-border region Infrastructure –to support selected cross-border telecommunications, transport, energy, waste and utilities and environment infrastructure projects.

Projects part financed by the European Union Budget Priority 2: Cooperation for a sustainable cross-border region Infrastructure  €75m - €115m (ERDF funding only) 25% match funding required from other public sources

Projects part financed by the European Union Consultation questions Question 4: What are your views on the content of each priority? Question 5: What are you views on the indicative budget proposals? These are presented as a potential range of budgets. In your view, what is the correct funding balance between the two main priorities?

Projects part financed by the European Union Programme implementation Special EU Programmes Body will be the Managing Authority Programme Monitoring Committee Joint Technical Secretariat (SEUPB) will create projects pipeline, assess applications etc Steering Committee(s) on cross-border /partnership basis, including Scotland, to select projects

Projects part financed by the European Union Consultation questions Question 6: What are your views on the proposed implementation arrangements for the INTERREG Programme?

Projects part financed by the European Union Other matters Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) Strategic Economic Assessment (SEA) Any other points you want to make

Projects part financed by the European Union Consultation questions Question 7: Do you have any views on the identified Equality Impact of the Programme? Question 8: Do you have any views on the likely environmental and sustainable development impacts of the Programme? Question 9: Are there any other comments or observations you would like to make about the INTERREG Operational Programme?

Projects part financed by the European Union The closing date for submissions to this consultation is 30 April 2007