Programme description
On 27 February 2008 the European Commission approved the 'Slovenia-Croatia' IPA Cross-border Co-operation Programme for the period 2007-2013, which is adopted under and co-financed by the cross-border co-operation component of the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA). After the accession of Croatia to the European Union in 2013, the programme was transferred into a cross-border co-operation programme financed entirely by the European Regional and Development Fund. The modified programme was approved on 17 December 2013.
The programme involves Community support for 15 Slovenian and Croatian regions that lie along their common border (In Slovenia: Pomurska, Podravska, Savinjska, Spodnjeposavska, Jugovzhodna Slovenija, Notranjsko-kraška and Obalno-kraška, Osrednjeslovenska; in Croatia: Međimurje, Varaždin, Krapina-Zagorje, Zagreb, Karlovac, Primorje-Gorski Kotar and Istria). Two areas may take part in projects as an adjacent area, i.e. receiving a maximum of 20% of the funding allocated to the programme (in Slovenia: Osrednjeslovenska; in Croatia: City of Zagreb).
The purpose and aim of the EU investment
The area’s most important common resource is the natural heritage within the Danube-Drava area and the rural nature of the surroundings on both sides of the border. This offers potential for eco-activity and rural tourism as a possible source of economic development.
The main aims for the period 2007-2013 are:A) To enable inhabitants and the economy in the cross-border area to exploit the potential
of the EU market;
B) To enable local and regional actors to address cross-border challenges jointly with their
cross-border counterparts;
C) To overcome regional development disadvantages caused by national borders by joint
cross-border actions;
D) To support development and promotion of the cross-border area and of a common
identity;
E) To invest in people, combat social exclusion and create favourable living conditions
2. The expected impact of the investment
A series of indicators have been selected to measure and monitor the progress and success in the implementation of the programme. Results will be measured in terms of number of projects in the field of preservation of natural and cultural resources, new cross-border jobs, joint planning by local authorities, number of joint project in environmental protection, etc.
3. Priority axes
In order to achieve its specific and global objectives, the programme works on two main thematic priorities, with a third priority dedicated to the programme’s management (‘technical assistance’ priority). The Slovenia-Croatia Cross-border Co-operation Programme 2007-2013 is subdivided into the following priority actions:
Priority 1 – Economic and social development [approximately 50% of total funding]focuses on the support to entrepreneurship, as well as on the improvement of tourism, rural development, and cultural and social exchanges..
Priority 2 – Sustainable management of natural resources [approximately 40% of total funding]focuses on supporting cooperation in the field of environment, natural resources protection and sustainable development, in particular protection of the environment and preservation and revitalization of natural assets of the cross-border area.
Priority 3: Technical assistance [approximately 10% of total funding]There is also provision for technical assistance in order to implement the programme. Financial support is available to cover administration, monitoring, evaluation and control.
Financial information
Breakdown of finances by priority axis
| Priority Axis | EU Investment | National Public Contribution | Total Public Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economic and social development | 21.798.518,00 | 3.846.798,00 | 25.645.316,00 |
| Sustainable management of natural resources | 18.903.820,00 | 3.335.987,00 | 22.239.807,00 |
| Technical Assistance | 4.072.572,00 | 718.690,00 | 4.791.262,00 |
| Total | 44.774.910,00 | 7.901.475,00 | 52.676.385,00 |