Fuente: © European Union
http://europa.eu.int

EU: France-Switzerland INTERREG IVA Operational Programme 2007 - 2013

/noticias.info/ 1. Operational Programme for cross-border cooperation INTERREG IVA 2007-2013 for France and Switzerland – programme co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under the European Territorial Cooperation objective

2. General Information

On 20 December 2007 the European Commission approved the Operational Programme for cross-border cooperation INTERREG IVA France-Switzerland for the period 2007-2013. This Operational Programme comes under the European Territorial Cooperation objective and has a total budget of about 90 million euros. The financing provided by the Community from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) amounts to some 55 million euros, representing about 0.6% of total EU investment under the European Territorial Cooperation objective in connection with the cohesion policy for 2007-2013.

The programme involves the French départements of Doubs, Jura, Territoire de Belfort, Ain and Haute-Savoie and the Swiss cantons of Berne, Jura, Neuchâtel, Vaud, Genève and Valais. The départements of Haut-Rhin, Côte d'Or, Saône-et-Loire, Haute-Saône, Rhône, Isère and Savoie in France and the canton of Fribourg in Switzerland can also take part in the programme as neighbouring territories and benefit from up to 20% of the ERDF contribution.

3. Purpose and aim of the programme

The overall objective of the programme is to contribute to the balanced development of the Franco-Swiss cooperation area, so as to produce in an innovative and effective manner added value in economic, social and environmental terms. The aim of this objective is to support cooperation which is likely to boost cross-border innovation and to make the development of the cooperation area a part of sustainable development.

4. Expected impact of the investment

This cross-border cooperation programme should make it possible to improve the competitiveness of the cross-border areas and operators, by focusing particularly on creating value added and jobs. It should also make it possible to improve sustainable planning and development in the cross-border areas, by ensuring that mobility and the environment are better managed and also by promoting access to high-quality services which are vital for the appeal of the cross-border areas and ensuring proper management of European funding for the implementation, monitoring and communication of the programme and projects.

5. Priorities

The Operational Programme has four priorities:

Priority 1: Economy, innovation, training [about 33.5% of total investment]

The aim of this priority is to:

* develop conditions conducive to the emergence and sound operation of cross-border production systems which contribute to economic growth and job creation;
* encourage partnerships between firms and research organisations;
* develop special services for access to employment;
* increase the cross-border mobility of human resources and labour market fluidity, as well as to adapt skills to changes in job requirements.

Priority 2: Regional planning, transport, environment [about 41% of total investment]

This priority has three main aims: coordinated development of planning, better organisation of mobility and exploitation of the appeal of natural and scenic resources.

Priority 3: Quality of life, appeal, services [about 21% of total investment]

The aim here is to improve the quality and accessibility of services, to diversify and spread information and communication (ICT) technologies, to develop and encourage cross-border tourism, cultural and leisure facilities and to foster cross-border cooperation for forecasting natural, health, environmental and industrial risks.

Priority 4: Technical assistance [about 4.5% of total investment]

This priority will provide support for the introduction of an effective management, monitoring and control system to evaluate the programme and its projects and handle communication and promotion. notas_de_prensa_archivo