Co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under the European Territorial Cooperation objective
Operational Programme 'Amazonia'
Programme description
On 27 March 2008 the European Commission approved the Operational Programme Amazonia for Community financing from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under the European Territorial Cooperation objective for France in partnership with Brazil and Suriname. The total cost of the programme is 17.1 million euros, plus the financial involvement of Suriname and Brazil. The maximum amount of the ERDF contribution to the Operational Programme concerning Guyane is 12.8 million euros, i.e. a co-financing rate of 75%.
The non-member countries and regions involved in this cooperation programme are Suriname and the Amazon states of Amapa, Para and Amazonas in Brazil. The involvement of the European Development Fund (EDF) and the Development Cooperation and Economic Cooperation financing instrument (DCECI) will be sought.
1. Strategic objectives of the Operational Programme
The cross-border cooperation strategy of the Amazonia 2007-2013 programme aims to encourage the territorial development of the cross-border areas, the protection and enhancement of the natural and cultural heritage of the Amazon, the development of cross-border economic activities and social cohesion.
2. Estimated impact of the Operational Programme
This cross-border cooperation programme should make it possible, in particular, to implement actions to promote the sustainable development of Amazonian ecosystems, to strengthen the appeal of the Amazon area (especially the development of tourism), to promote local production and to encourage the introduction of joint research programmes. Another aim of the programme is to bring the local populations closer together by creating about 30 cross-border networks in education and training and organising a number of joint cultural events.
3. Priorities
The Operational Programme has four priorities:
Priority 1 : Structural development of cross-border areas and sustainable development
This priority aims to achieve better understanding, preservation and management of the common natural heritage, to promote balanced territorial development and to improve the quality of life and living conditions in the cross-border areas.
Priority 2: Cross-border economic activities and appeal of the cooperation area
The aim is to stimulate and organise cross-border integration by exploiting potential synergies relating to economic activities, innovation and human capital. It will aim in particular at developing economic activities, especially in the fields of tourism and business cooperation.
Priority 3: Bringing together cross-border populations and services
The aim is to foster better mutual knowledge and understanding among the populations in a specific geographic area by extending the field of cross-border cooperation to the general public by means of collaborative projects in the fields of culture, education, training and communication.
Priority 4: Technical assistance
This priority will provide support for the introduction of an effective management, monitoring and control system to evaluate the programme and its projects and to handle communication and promotion.
4. Managing authority
Financial information
Breakdown of finances by priority axis
| Priority Axis | EU Investment | National Public Contribution | Total Public Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structural development of cross-border areas and sustainable development | 3.849.082,00 | 1.154.725,00 | 5.003.807,00 |
| Cross-border economic activities and appeal of the cooperation area | 5.003.807,00 | 1.334.348,00 | 6.338.155,00 |
| Bringing together cross-border populations and services | 3.207.569,00 | 962.271,00 | 4.169.840,00 |
| Technical assistance | 769.816,00 | 256.605,00 | 1.026.421,00 |
| Total | 12.830.274,00 | 3.707.949,00 | 16.538.223,00 |