The Government granted 20.5 million euros for neighbouring area cooperation this year
Press release 49/2008
14 February, 2008
On Thursday, 14 February the Government approved the plan for the use of appropriations for neighbouring area cooperation in 2008. A total of about 22.5 million euros has been reserved for neighbouring area cooperation this year; this sum is divided so that the share of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs is about 20.5 million euros and that of other ministries about 2 million euros.
Finland’s neighbouring area cooperation focuses on North-West Russia, especially the City of St. Petersburg, Leningrad Region, the Republic of Karelia and the Murmansk Region. Neighbouring area cooperation strives to promote economic cooperation, strengthening of civil society, environment protection and nuclear safety, and reform of administration and legislation. In addition, cooperation combats threats associated with infectious diseases, drugs and organised crime. Each year more than 200 projects are carried out with neighbouring area cooperation funds.
Most of the projects are bilateral. Cooperation is also implemented with international financial institutions and organisations. During the current year, 1.5 million euros in neighbouring cooperation funds will be allocated to the Northern Dimension Environmental Partnership (NDEP) Support Fund, for environment projects to be carried out in North-West Russia. Finland’s funding in the years 2002–2009 totals 18 million euros.
In 2008, neighbouring area cooperation funds will provide support for several Northern Dimension Partnership in Public Health and Social Well-being (NDPHS) projects, among others, for preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS. In addition to the appropriations granted for the plan, Finland is prepared to provide a total of 1.5 million euros in financing for NDPHS projects in 2008–2009; applications for financing such projects can be submitted via the NDPHS website at www.ndphs.org/?pipeline.
A sum of about 19.4 million euros has been allocated for projects carried out in Russia. As to regional distribution, the appropriations for neighbouring area cooperation are distributed so that approximately 7.6 million euros go for projects implemented in more than one area of North-West Russia. Four target areas, i.e. St. Petersburg, Leningrad Region, the Republic of Karelia and Murmansk Region, account for the majority of these projects. In addition, there are some projects in the Komi Republic, Pskov Region and Tver Region.
The following appropriations, in total about 5.6 million euros, are for projects focusing on only one area of Russia: St. Petersburg, about 1.9 million euros; Murmansk Region, about 1 million euros; Leningrad Region, about 1.3 million euros; the Republic of Karelia, about 1.1 million euros; and other areas, about 0.3 million euros. The sum of approximately 3.9 million euros has been allocated for projects carried out at the Russian Federation level. In addition, some 2.3 million euros have been allocated to projects in Russia which promote economic cooperation.
Projects arranged by Finnish civil society organisations in neighbouring areas were granted 1.5 million euros. Projects to launch and develop operations of small and medium-sized Finnish enterprises in North-West Russia were granted 0.6 million euros in support.
Neighbouring area cooperation is undergoing reform during the current year, in accordance with policy lines agreed by the Government.
Additional information: Head of Unit Petri Salo, tel. +358 9 1605 5625 and Chief Administrator Minni Hyrkkänen, tel. +358 1605 5610, Unit of Cooperation with Neighbouring Areas