2017 Berlin

Mutual Interest – Mutual Benefit: Cooperating with North-West Russian Regions - Showcasing Examples from Interreg Baltic Sea Region

Time:        13th June, 15.15 - 16.45    
Venue:      Rathenau-Saal

Description:
Baltic Sea cooperation with the North-West regions of the Russian Federation works if all partners involved are aware of the benefit. Interreg Baltic Sea Region will demonstrate how to engage Russian partners in specific project work. In cooperation with HA Neighbours and Russian partners, we will focus on EUSBSR flagship projects on improved transport concepts and a cleaner and safer Baltic Sea.

Speakers, panellists, moderator:

• Anna Popova, Deputy Director of the Department for development of interregional and cross-border cooperation of the Ministry of economic development of the Russian Federation, opening address
• Alla Ivanova, Acting Minister – Head of the Agency for International Affairs and Regional Cooperation of the Kaliningrad Region
• Natalia Goleva, Head of the external economic relations department, State Committee of the Pskov Region for Economic Development and Investment Policy
• Irina Karelina, Director, Leontief Centre (Secretariat of the Russian national sub-committee – matchmaker for project partner search)
• Susanne Scherrer, Interreg Baltic Sea Region, moderator.

Organiser(s) & contact details:

• Interreg Baltic Sea Region Managing Authority/Joint Secretariat (MA/JS); Susanne Scherrer; Elena Kolosova, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  +49 381 45484-5281   

Elaboration:
We will show that on topics of common concern, Baltic Sea cooperation with Russian regions can be successful if all partners involved are aware of its benefit. Pushing big politics aside, Interreg Baltic Sea Region will show how to engage Russian regions in specific project work. There is a growing understanding that the development potential of Russian regions needs to be uncovered and better utilised for the benefit of the whole Baltic Sea region.

The EUSBSR recognised that we need to bring together motivated and responsible people from all over the Baltic Sea region if we want to advance development. The Horizontal Action (HA) Neighbours is working to connect such people from EU member states and neighbouring countries, especially from the North-West Russian regions.

Are we sufficiently aware about the real needs and wants from North-West Russian regions for Baltic Sea cooperation? Do we know enough about their development priorities, and do we have the tools to translate them into joint project work? Representatives from Kaliningrad and Pskov regional administrations will present features of their regions. They will explain what they prefer to collaborate on with partners from the countries around the Baltic Sea. How to promote cooperation across the Baltic Sea, and where to find interested partners from Russia? The Secretariat to the Russian sub-committee of Interreg Baltic Sea Region will present examples of their activities and services.

Improved transport links and a cleaner and safer Baltic Sea are clearly some of the topics of common concern. Interreg Baltic Sea Region provides support and financing to numerous EUSBSR flagship projects of those areas, including IWAMA (PA Nutri) and DAIMON (PA Hazards). The project GREEN CRUISE PORT is cooperating with partners from Kaliningrad. We will ask representatives of these projects what they are doing, what outcomes they are striving for, and what they expect from the participation of Russian partners in joint work.

At the same time, these projects are good examples of combining different funding sources. The Russian organisations involved in DAIMON was granted funding from the Swedish Institute.

From 2017 onwards, Interreg Baltic Sea Region will be able to offer financing to Russian organisations. EUR 4.4 million of Russian national funds will be combined with another EUR 4.4 million of EU funding after the EU and Russia sign a financing agreement. Cooperation with Russian regions will thus be built on solid grounds.

Interreg Baltic Sea Region Managing Authority/Joint Secretariat will facilitate the workshop.

Cooperating with North-West Russian regions is part of the solution to a more innovative, better accessible and sustainable Baltic Sea region.

Interreg Baltic Sea Region is an EU funding programme that facilitates transnational cooperation. Partners from countries around the Baltic Sea work together in transnational projects to address common key challenges and opportunities.