EU co-operation with the NIS in S&T

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Energy, environment and sustainable development

TACIS: grant finance for know-how transfer

The EU's TACIS programme (Technical Assistance for the Commonwealth of Independent States) was launched in 1991. Its main aim was to speed up the process of economic reform and transition to democracy under way in the NIS, by helping the countries make the necessary structural changes.

Capital	Ashkhabad
Territory	488,100 sq. km
Population	4.8 million
GDP per capita (1998)	$421
Official language	Turkmen and Russian
Currency	manat
PCA	Signed in May 1998, not yet in force

The programme provides grant finance for the transfer of know-how to the NIS and Mongolia. It is the largest programme of its kind in the region, and works closely with the NIS partners to determine allocation of funds. This ensures the funding is relevant to each country's own reform policies and priorities, and TACIS also co-ordinates its activities with other donors and international organisations.

The know-how comes from a wide range of EU public and private organisations, which allow experience of market economies and democracies to be combined with local expertise. It is delivered by giving policy advice, consultancy teams, studies and training, by reforming legal and regulatory frameworks, institutions and organisations, and by setting up partnerships, networks, twinnings and pilot projects.

Fostering relations and impact

The TACIS programme also has the major role of supporting the implementation of the Partnership and Co-operation Agreements (PCAs) between the EU and the NIS (see 'EU - NIS strategic co-operation'). These PCAs are diverse, reflecting the differences between the various NIS, but each establishes a strong and comprehensive political and economic relationship between the EU and the NIS.

Since its inception, TACIS has launched some 3 500 projects in the NIS, with a funding of 4.2 billion euro at the end of 1999.

Important sectors include the upgrading of nuclear installations and environmental protection, the restructuring of enterprises, private sector development, the reform of public administration, agriculture, energy and transport.

However, the TACIS programme has evolved, and modified its focus for the coming years (2000-2006) through a new Council regulation, to be implemented in the framework of national, multilateral and other programmes comprising indicative and action programmes, with a global estimated sum of 3 billion euro for the NIS.

The new priorities for assistance are greater concentration on fewer and larger projects to achieve maximum impact, clearly differentiated country programmes, and support for the objectives of the PCAs.

For contact co-ordinates.

TACIS and S&T

NIS scientists and engineers can participate, on request, in consortia, headed by EU organisations whose project proposals are approved by the European Commission and the relevant NIS authorities for different project 'Terms of Reference'. Projects usually help to introduce systems and policies to enable the research infrastructure to act as a catalyst for national and regional economic development. They also provide an innovation support structure for the growing private sector and SMEs.

For instance, with reference to the Russian Federation, the following TACIS S&T-innovation related projects have been approved and implemented:

- Development of Science and Technology in the Market Economy (project finished)

- Assistance to the Foundation for Innovative SMEs in the Russian Federation (project finished)

- Innovation Centres and Scientific Cities (ongoing project at mid-July 2000).

Another TACIS programme is the 'Bistro' facility which is designed to respond quickly to requests for support on small-scale projects meeting local needs in Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, Armenia and Kazakhstan. As a rule, projects last no more than nine months and are funded up to 100 000 euro. Bistro projects, which can cover S&T, typically encompass the following activities: studies, conferences or workshops, study tours, training activities. Priorities of the Bistro facilities are developed specifically according to the needs of each NIS but may include enterprise support, human resources, food production, energy, transport, telecommunications, environment and science and technology. Guidelines for applicants to TACIS small project programmes including Bistro are available from the Phare-TACIS Information Centre (for contact co-ordinates).


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