3. Priority axesThe Operational Programme is structured along three thematic objectives: accessibility to infrastructures and services, digital convergence and entrepreneurship, and sustainable development and quality of life. For each set of objectives, three sets of thematic priority axes are designed for each of the three regions covered by the programme. A fourth set of priority axes contains the budgets for technical assistance for implementation of the three thematic axes in each of the three regions. The Operational Programme “Central Macedonia – Western Macedonia – Eastern Macedonia & Thrace” is structured along the following priority axes : Accessibility to infrastructures and services in Central Macedonia [approximately 12.7 % of total amount of funding] Specific objectives of this priority axis include: - the creation of a balanced and polycentric network of urban centres, which is linked to the Trans-European Networks (TENs) through an integrated transport system;
- improved accessibility of the region to the national transport network.
Accessibility to infrastructures and services in Western Macedonia [approximately 2.8 % of total amount of funding] The priority aims to improve accessibility and transport safety of the region through the inter-regional road network by carrying out new transport projects designed to connect the region of Western Macedonia with other Greek regions. This will strengthen the role of urban centres and will support opening up the region to its neighbouring Balkan countries. Accessibility to infrastructures and services in Eastern Macedonia & Thrace [approximately 7.9 % of total amount of funding] Specific objectives of this priority axis include: - improvement of the access to the region's industrial zones, ports, isolated areas and mountainous areas;
- improvement of the port infrastructure of Alexandroupolis and Kavala;
- completion of the railway system and connection of the system with industrial zones and ports;
- reinforcement of fisheries activities through related infrastructure.
Digital convergence and entrepreneurship in Central Macedonia [approximately 19.4 % of total amount of funding] The objective of this priority axis is to strengthen entrepreneurship and promote environmentally friendly energy sources in an effort to produce high added-value products and services in sectors that integrate knowledge, innovation and environmental concern (notably in the health, education, trade, tourism sector as well as other activities in the tertiary sector). Funding of this priority will also boost the contribution made by information and communication technology (ICT) to the regional economy and inhabitants of the region. Digital convergence and entrepreneurship in Western Macedonia [approximately 3.6 % of total amount of funding] The priority aims to promote the use of ICT by enterprises and citizens with a view to improving productivity in the regional economy and the quality of services provided to citizens. Digital convergence and entrepreneurship in Eastern Macedonia & Thrace [approximately 0.6 % of total amount of funding] Specific objectives of this priority axis include: - promoting investments in trade and services in specific zones and sectors that are threatened by economic restructuring, for specific groups of the population as well as for specific tourist activities (e.g. agrotourism);
- promoting alternative energy resources and rational management of energy resources.
Sustainable growth and quality of life in Central Macedonia [approximately 33.5 % of total amount of funding] This priority axis will promote the protection, improvement and sustainable use of the environment, notably as regards rational management of solid, liquid and hazardous waste. Other objectives include sustainable development of culture and tourism as well as modernisation of primary and secondary healthcare facilities and education infrastructures. Sustainable growth and quality of life in Western Macedonia [approximately 9.1 % of total amount of funding] This priority aims at multi-thematic intervention in the environmental, spatial planning and urban and rural development fields (notably in the areas of health, social welfare and education infrastructures). Sustainable growth and quality of life in Eastern Macedonia & Thrace [approximately 9.1 % of total amount of funding] This priority aims at the protection and rational management of the environment in an effort to ensure the health of the region’s population by improving the quality of education infrastructures and by promoting culture as a factor for the region’s economic development. Technical assistance in the regions of Central Macedonia and Western Macedonia [approximately 1.1 % of total amount of funding] The priority will focus on supporting those who benefit from co-funded actions in the regions of Central Macedonia and Western Macedonia. Technical assistance in the region of Eastern Macedonia & Thrace [approximately 0.4 % of total amount of funding] The priority will focus on supporting those who benefit from co-funded actions in the regions of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace. | 
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