PHARE Cross-Border Cooperation Programme Bulgaria – Greece 2004, Small Projects Fund, supporting the economic development and employment promotion, Budget line: BG: 2004/016-782.01.02, Project “Haskovo and Evros business- together in Europe ” 

THE PROJECT

Contracting party: Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works of the Republic of Bulgaria

Leading organization : Regional Municipalities Association “Maritza”

Partner : Border Regional Association “Evros”

Location : The project will be implemented on the territory of RMA “Maritza” Member Municipalities and Evros District , Greece .

Overall objective:

The overall objective on the project is to contribute to stable development, business environment improvement and employment promotion in the cross-border region Haskovo , Bulgaria and Evros , Greece through experience exchange and effective partnerships establishment.

Specific objectives:

  • Raising the information and knowledge of the Bulgarian business sector in regard to opportunities for EU funds absorption.
  • Introducing the technical requirements of the EU and methods of implementation to businesses in the target region
  • Raising the competitiveness of the business sector at both sides of the border through exchange of experience and establishment of potential opportunities for cross-border business cooperation
  • Improving the investment environment through strengthening the local authorities capacity for implementing successful public private partnerships

Target groups:

  • Representatives of the business sector from Haskovo region, Bulgaria and Evros region, Greece
  • Leaderships of the local and regional authorities from Haskovo region, Bulgaria and Evros region, Greece
  • NGOs engaged in the field of business development from the target area

Activities:

1. Forming a project team.

  • Management Committee
  • Executive Committee

2. Study and Analysis Activities.

  • Development of inquiry
  • Study among the business sector at the two sides of the border
  • Development of Information profile about the training needs of the business sector from the two border regions

3. Orientation and Experience Exchange Activities.

  • Seminar “ EU Technical Requirements and Standards”
  • Seminar “Trade aspects of accession. Public-private Partnerships- opportunities and best practices.
  • Education visit in Greece

4. Issues.

  • Handbook “Directions for EU requirements and standards in sector Agriculture”
  • Handbook “Directions for EU requirements and standards in sector Industry”
  • Handbook “Directions for EU requirements and standards in sector Services”
  • Information guide “Business in Europe ”

5. Transparency and publicizing project activities.

  • Publications in the media
  • Information board
  • Issues, presenting the project
  • Final forum “Business without borders”

Expected results:

  • Raised knowledge of the Bulgarian business sector in regard to opportunities for EU funds absorption.
  • Presented technical requirements of the EU and positive practices of their application
  • Exchanged experience between the businesses across the border
  • Established cross-border business partnerships
  • Strengthened capacity for implementing successful public- private partnerships
  • Roused systematic and purposeful interest in beneficiaries participation at both sides of the border in EU programmes for cross-border cooperation
This project is financed by the EU      This project is implemented by RMA”Maritza”        

This document is issued with EU financial support. RMA “Maritza” is responsible for the document’s contents and it can not be considered that this document presents the EU official statement.