"Basic infrastructure" Operational Programme
Programme description
The European Commission contributes to the development of Slovakia by co-financing a "Basic infrastructure" Operational Programme for the 2004-2006 period. The Structural Funds will provide more than EUR 422 million out of a total budget of EUR 573 million.
Eligible areas / Contact / Financial tablesThe lack of basic infrastructure is a major constraint on economic and social development in Slovakia. Given that the quality of public infrastructure significantly influences the investment decisions of businesses, it therefore remains a key prerequisite for the development of the regions. Investment in public infrastructure is a major priority of the Slovakian Community Support Framework (CSF) because of the urgent need to improve the capital stock in this area, both to sustain the existing level of economic activity and to enhance the potential of less developed regions.
1. Action PrioritiesThe programme, which also includes technical assistance measures, has 3 priorities.Priority 1 : Transport Infrastructure The highest priority in the field of transport is the creation of reliable and well-connected transport arteries. Measures aim at creating major road networks, modernising the railway infrastructure (electrification of railways, improvement of railway stations…) and increasing the safety of airport operations.
Priority 2 : Environmental Infrastructure This concerns the establishment of sewerage systems, waste water treatment plants, giving priority to the areas with the highest demand, and completing the supply system of quality drinking water, giving priority to the areas lacking drinking water reserves. A further objective is the realisation of measures aimed at ensuring flood protection. In the field of air protection, activities are aimed mainly at introducing technologies complying with the limits set out in EU environmental law. In the field of waste management, activities are aimed at minimising waste through recycling and separation, with subsequent use of the separated parts. In the field of maintenance, protection and recovery of the natural environment, activities are aimed at an active approach to the protection of nature and the countryside.
Priority 3 : Local infrastructure Support will be aimed at four specific objectives: provision of public infrastructure (buildings and other related constructions, plots of land, and associated equipment) in the fields of education, healthcare, social care, culture and regional policy and management; development of the knowledge and digital economy (information society); support for the preparation of bottom-up regional development strategies; and improvement of local physical and cultural infrastructure in villages in order to support rural development and provide basic services to the rural population and visitors to the countryside.
2. Description of the eligible areasSlovakia (49 035 km2; population: 5.4 million) is predominantly rural in character, with mountains to the north and major river basins (Váh and Danube) to the south-west. The main urban areas are the capital Bratislava (population: 428 000) to the west, and Košice (241 000) to the east, with other smaller but important settlements in the centre of the country. Although economic growth in Slovakia in recent years has been above the average for the EU15, GDP per capita is at only 50% of the level of the EU15. This qualifies most of the country for Objective 1 status. Only the Bratislava region does not have Objective 1 status, as GDP per capita here is just below the average of the EU15. The Objective 1 Community Support Framework (CSF) covers a total population of 4 779 909. The figure of 50% of average EU GDP per capita for the whole of Slovakia masks considerable imbalances among regions in the country. There are also pockets of extreme deprivation, particularly in the poorest regions with large Roma communities in the centre and the east, which have severe problems in relation to housing, employment, education, and health. GDP per capita shows a substantial gap between the capital region and the rest of the country. Bratislava is the main driver of growth in Slovakia. In Bratislava GDP per capita in PPS is close to the average of EU15. In the other regions it only reaches 40%. Bratislava’s productivity is also higher than average productivity in Slovakia (71% and 43% of the average of EU15, respectively). Bratislava can be seen as an important driving force behind economic growth in Slovakia, with own potential and also positive effects on other growth centres elsewhere in Slovakia. As a small open economy, Slovakia is strongly dependent on the external environment. Its export specialisation in iron and steel, though still important, has significantly declined since the mid-1990s, while the export of transport equipment has more than tripled. A few "sunrise" sectors seem to have emerged, such as the automobile sector. On the other hand, there has been insufficient restructuring of the practices of the private sector to enable companies to receive some of the benefits of the global market. Productivity is also low, due to the insufficient industrial restructuring. Of all the new Member States, regional differences in employment and unemployment rates are the greatest in Slovakia. The difference in the unemployment rate between the best performing Objective 1 region (Trenčín) and the worst performing one (Banská Bystrica) is 13.9 percentage points.
3. Management and contact detailsThe Managing Authority is the Ministry for Construction and Regional Development.
Financial information
Breakdown of finances by priority axis
| Priority Axis | EU Investment | National Public Contribution | Total Public Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transport Infrastructure | 206.218.995,00 | 274.958.660,00 | 274.958.660,00 |
| Environmental Infrastructure | 96.394.550,00 | 135.806.246,00 | 142.995.988,00 |
| Local infrastructure | 95.160.084,00 | 122.314.834,00 | 122.314.834,00 |
| Technical assistance | 24.589.823,00 | 32.786.432,00 | 32.786.432,00 |
| Total | 422.363.452,00 | 565.866.172,00 | 573.055.914,00 |