Objective 2 programme for Carinthia
Programme description
The European Commission will actively participate in the development of the Carinthia region by co-financing the Objective 2 programme for the area during 2000-2006. The region is located in southern Austria along the Slovenian and Italian borders. During the previous period the region was covered under the Objectives 2 and 5(b). The total cost of the programme is EUR 457 million, of which EUR 85 million will be provided by the EU Structural Funds.
Eligible areas / Contact / Financial tables1. Action Priorities
The programme revolves around 3 priority areas and technical assistance measures.Priority 1 : Commerce, industry and production-related servicesThis priority particularly aims at providing incentives for new start-ups in the industrial sector, its related services, and the service sector. Emphasis will be put on developing existing businesses and encouraging young entrepreneurs in their endeavour. Enhancing the regional business structures, developing appropriate premises, encouraging research and innovation, and measures in water treatment, environment, and energy will also be stressed.
Priority 2 : Tourism and regional developmentIn order to stimulate the tourism sector and promote regional development, efforts under this priority will be geared towards strengthening individual companies and to encourage cooperation between companies of the region. Emphasis will be put on the development of innovative infrastructure, tourist facilities, and managerial training.
Priority 3 : Training and industryThis priority aims at providing the necessary training programmes to adapt the skills of employees to the needs of the regional companies. Measures will also promote the better use of the region's resources via collaboration and networking projects.
Technical Assistance : Measures will be equally provided to assist with the management, information, implementation, control and evaluation of all aspects of the programme.
2. Description of the eligible areas
The Carinthia region is located in southern Austria along the Slovenian and Italian borders. It is a mountainous area with more than half of the region at 1000m or higher above sea-level. A little less than half of the total population of the region is eligible under Objective 2.
Unlike the rest of Austria (112%), Carinthia has a GDP per capita at 89% of the EU average. This is due in part to the lag of growth in the last few years and to the high seasonal unemployment in the region. Unemployment stands at 5.6%. The service sector accounts for the lion's share of GDP (66%) followed by manufacturing (32%) and agriculture and forestry (2%). Agriculture employs 8.1% of the labour force.
There is a lack of technical oriented universities in the region. This has been somewhat offset by the creation of courses in technical colleges. However, these are located outside the Objective 2 area.
3. Management and contact details
The Carithian Economic Promotion Fund (KWF: Kärnter Wirtschaftsförderungsfonds) has been designated as the Managing Authority responsible for the overall coordination of the programme.
The Austrian Regional Planning Conference (ÖROK: Österreichische Raumordnungskonferenz) will act as the secretariat for both Objective 1 and 2 programmes.
The Monitoring Committee will include the competent Federal ministries and implementing bodies alongside the social partners and institutions responsible for equal opportunities and sustainable development. The Ministry of Finance and the department responsible for coordinating each Fund will have overall financial responsibility for financial control.
Financial information
Breakdown of finances by priority axis
| Priority Axis | EU Investment | National Public Contribution | Total Public Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trade, Industry and productive services | 66.255.000,00 | 89.053.331,00 | 384.663.110,00 |
| Tourism and regional development | 17.523.000,00 | 23.665.667,00 | 116.098.641,00 |
| Training and economy | 3.855.000,00 | 6.704.695,00 | 8.380.868,00 |
| Technical Assistance | 1.406.000,00 | 2.846.000,00 | 2.846.000,00 |
| Total | 89.039.000,00 | 122.269.693,00 | 511.988.619,00 |