Programme under the Regional Competitiveness and Employment Objective, co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
Programme description
On 14 August 2007, the European Commission approved a Regional Operational Programme for the region of Norra Mellansverige (Värmland, Dalarna and Gävleborg) in Sweden for the 2007-13 period. The Operational Programme falls within the Regional Competitiveness and Employment Objective framework and has a total budget of around €390 million. Community assistance through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) amounts to some €195 million, which represents approximately 10.3% of the total EU investment earmarked for Sweden under the Cohesion Policy for 2007-13.
1. Aim and purpose of the programme
The Operational Programme aims to create 3000 new businesses and 6000 new jobs, and to increase the employment rate from 77.9% to 79% for men, and from 73.5% to 75% for women; utilising 2004 baselines.
The Programme will focus on networks and clusters and will thus strengthen innovation and renewal. Likewise, the Programme will support small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and environments that stimulate development and competencies. The Programme will implement measures to strengthen connections to important transport networks, such as railways and harbours. Similarly, the Programme will increase access to information and communication technologies (ICT) for SMEs. Furthermore, the Programme will anticipate action toward further inter-regional cooperation.
2. The expected impact of the investment
The Programme expects to create 6000 new jobs and 3000 new businesses of which at least women will hold 40%, respectively. The Program will facilitate 50 projects of cooperation between industry and research institutions and 40 projects for renewable energy while the Programme will sponsor 30 projects that involve SME's that wish to sell products or services internationally. The Programme will support 20 projects in the context of “regional enlargement” and 25 other projects to improve cooperation between different transport modes and new transport solution development. The Programme will also facilitate an increase in broadband coverage from 70–90% to 99% of the population.
3. Priorities
The following priorities represent the structure of the Regional Operational Programme for North Mid-Sweden:
Priority 1: Business development [approximately 67.8% of total funding]
The overall objective of this priority is increased competitiveness, increased dynamism and increased employment in the business sector. Other objectives of the priority are a growing service sector, improved collaboration between academy and business, a knowledge-driven growth, increased internationalisation among SMEs and investments in renewable energy.
Priority 2: Accessibility [approximately 28.2% of total funding].
The overall goal of this priority is to create a more competitive social structure for mobility and access with the utilisation of new technology that shortens and spans distances. Other objectives include the creation of a well developed broadband network, increased co-operation between transport types and increased accessibility/regional expansion.
Priority 3: Technical assistance [approximately 4.0% of total funding]
TThe aim is to support the management, monitoring and evaluation of the operational programme, and the associated communication and publicity activities.
4. Managing Authority
Financial information
Breakdown of finances by priority axis
| Priority Axis | EU Investment | National Public Contribution | Total Public Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business development | 132.188.324,00 | 132.188.324,00 | 264.376.648,00 |
| Accessibility | 55.000.000,00 | 55.000.000,00 | 110.000.000,00 |
| Technical assistance | 7.799.513,00 | 7.799.513,00 | 15.500.228,00 |
| Total | 194.987.837,00 | 194.987.837,00 | 389.876.876,00 |