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ANNUAL IMPLEMENTATION REPORT
2008
for
Romania-Bulgaria
Cross-Border Cooperation Programme 2007-2013
Annual Implementation Report 2008 for the Romania-Bulgaria CBC Programme 2007-2013
Table of Contents
Table of Contents .................................................................................. 2
Glossary of Acronyms .............................................................................. 3
1. Identification .................................................................................... 4
2. Overview of the implementation of the Operational Programme ....................... 4
3. Implementation by priority .................................................................. 23
4. ERDF/CF programmes: Major Projects ..................................................... 29
5. Technical Assistance .......................................................................... 29
6. Information and communication ............................................................ 36
ANNEX 1 - Eligible Area .......................................................................... 47
ANNEX 2 – Media articles promoting the programme – selection .......................... 48
ANNEX 3 – Publications ........................................................................... 48
ANNEX 4 – Media campaign ...................................................................... 48
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Annual Implementation Report 2008 for the Romania-Bulgaria CBC Programme 2007-2013
Glossary of Acronyms
AA Audit Authority
AWG Assessment Working Group
BG Bulgaria
CA Certifying Authority
CBC Cross-Border Cooperation
Control Unit within the Regional Office for Cross-Border Cooperation
CU
Calaraşi
EC European Commission
ERDF European Regional Development Fund
EU European Union
FLC First level control
JMC Joint Monitoring Committee
JSC Joint Steering Committee
JTS Joint Technical Secretariat
KAI Key Area of Intervention
LP Lead Partner
MA Managing Authority
MIS-ETC Management Information System-European Territorial Cooperation
MoU Memorandum of Understanding
MRDH Ministry of Regional Development and Housing (Romania)
MRDPW Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works (Bulgaria)
NA National Authority
National Authority for Monitoring and Regulating of Public
NAMRPP
Procurement (Romania)
Phare (Poland Hungary Aid for Reconstruction of the Economy)
Phare CBC
Programme for Cross-Border Cooperation
Programme Romania – Bulgaria Cross-Border Cooperation Programme 2007-2013
RO Romania
ROC CBC Regional Office Calarasi
TAAS Technical Assistance Annual Strategy
UCVPP Unit for Coordinating and Verifying Public Procurement (Romania)
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Annual Implementation Report 2008 for the Romania-Bulgaria CBC Programme 2007-2013
1. Identification
OPERATIONAL PROGRAMME Objective concerned: European Territorial
Cooperation
Eligible area concerned: Cross-Border Area between
Romania and Bulgaria (see Annex 1 for list and map
of eligible NUTS III regions)
Programming period: 2007-2013
Programme number (CCI No): 2007CB163PO021
Programme title: ROMANIA – BULGARIA
CROSS-BORDER COOPERATION PROGRAMME
ANNUAL IMPLEMENTATION REPORT Reporting year: 2008
Date of approval of the annual report by the
monitoring committee: June 23, 2009
2. Overview of the implementation of the Operational Programme
2.1. Achievement and analysis of the progress
Information on the physical progress of the OP:
The Programme was approved by the European Commission on December 18,
2007 under the Commission Decision no. 6331 and became operational after the
first Joint Monitoring Committee meeting held on April 15, 2008.
The description of the management and control systems together with the
operational procedures of the programme were elaborated in 2008 and were
submitted to the Audit Authority for verification. The Audit Authority gave a
qualified opinion in late December 2008, expressing reservations concerning
issues related to all major actors involved in the programme implementation.
Two JMC meetings were held and 5 written procedures were initiated in 2008,
approving documents related to the technical assistance of the programme, calls
for proposals, strategic projects, Joint Steering Committee composition and
rules of procedure and description of the management and control system.
In the programme framework, the first strategic project idea was approved by
JMC in September 2008 and was further developed by a working group
designated by the JMC, according to the programme provisions.
Three calls for proposals were launched in 2008 for all priority axes:
– one for “soft” projects in July 2008
– one for both “soft” and “hard” projects in October 2008 and
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Annual Implementation Report 2008 for the Romania-Bulgaria CBC Programme 2007-2013
– one for the first strategic project in December 2008
The first call for proposals was closed in 2008.
A number of activities aiming at promoting the programme and supporting the
potential beneficiaries have been achieved (see Chapter 6 for details) and an
important number of questions from potential beneficiaries were answered. The
most relevant questions and answers have been posted on the programme
website.
The final version of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) regulating the
functions and relations between the programme managing bodies was officially
negotiated by all signatories in 2008. The Romanian Government approved the
document on December 4, 2008. The Council of Ministers of Republic of Bulgaria
should approve the MoU, and, after signing by all parties, the Bulgarian
Parliament should ratify the document in 2009.
An implementation agreement was signed on May 21, 2008, between the Ministry
of Regional Development and Housing and the Regional Office for Cross Border
Cooperation for Romania-Bulgaria border (ROC), hosting the Joint Technical
Secretariat and the first level control unit for Romanian partners. The Joint
Technical Secretariat was set up in December 2008 with the hiring of 4 members
of the approved number of JTS staff.
No project was selected by the Joint Steering Committee in 2008 for priority
axes 1-3 and, therefore, no project implementation took place by the end of the
year. One global financing decision for the MA and one financing contract with
the programme JTS related to 2008 technical assistance activities were signed in
2008.
As no critical mass of projects is expected to be selected by the end of the first
semester of 2009, it was decided that all necessary measures would be taken in
order to postpone the first programme interim evaluation, initially foreseen for
the first half of 2009.
The indicators that will be used to monitor the progress at OP level and their
achievements by the end of 2008 are shown in the table below:
Programme Indicators 2007 200 200 201 201 201 201 201 201 Total
8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5
Number of cross-border Achievement 0 0
community based partnerships
and networks established for Target 2015 386
the joint development of the Baseline 0 0
cooperation area, using its
human, natural and
environmental resources and
advantages
Number of cross-border Achievement 0 0
community based permanent
partnerships and networks Target 2015 40
active by end of the Baseline 0 0
Programme
Joint projects respecting two Achievement 0 0
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Annual Implementation Report 2008 for the Romania-Bulgaria CBC Programme 2007-2013
of the following criteria: joint
development, joint Target 2015 70
implementation, joint Baseline 0 0
staffing, joint financing (%)
Joint projects respecting Achievement 0 0
three of the following criteria:
joint development, joint Target 2015 20
implementation, joint Baseline 0 0
staffing, joint financing (%)
Joint projects respecting four Achievement 0 0
of the following criteria: joint
development, joint Target 2015 10
implementation, joint Baseline 0 0
staffing, joint financing (%)
Projects reducing isolation Achievement 0 0
through improved access to
transport, ICT networks and Target 2015 39
services Baseline 0 0
Projects encouraging and Achievement 0 0
improving the joint protection
and management of the Target 2015 150
environment Baseline 0 0
Financial information
The total programme financial allocation broken down per financing sources is as
follows:
Priority axes by source of funding (in Euro)
Community National National Total funding Co-
Funding (a) Public private (d) = (a)+(b)+ financing
funding (b) funding (c) (c) rate (e) =
(a)/(a+b)
Priority Axis 1 -
80,594,790 13,795,932 1,036,219 95,426,941 84.46
Accessibility
Priority Axis 2 -
76,238,315 13,319,282 326,736 89,884,333 84.82
Environment
Priority Axis 3 -
Economic and Social 47,921,227 8,372,120 205,377 56,498,724 84.82
Development
Priority Axis 4 -
13,069,425 7,124,118 0 20,193,543 64.72
Technical Assistance
Total 217,823,757 42,611,452 1,568,332 262,003,541 83.14
The co-financing rate for all priority axes is calculated based on total cost
option.
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Annual Implementation Report 2008 for the Romania-Bulgaria CBC Programme 2007-2013
By the end of 2008, the European Commission has sent to Romania as pre-
financing for Romania-Bulgaria Cross-Border Cooperation Programme
10,891,878.85 Euro.
During 2008, no expenditure was incurred from the budget of the Romania-
Bulgaria Cross-Border Cooperation Programme for priority axes 1-3. Only
expenditure under the technical assistance priority axis was spent in 2008, but
no reimbursement request was submitted by the end of the year (information
about the amounts spent can be found in section 5 of the present report).
The amounts spent by the TA beneficiaries during 2008 and presented in tables
from pages 30 to 33, have been spent from their own budgets, the
reimbursement request going to be submitted to the MA during 2009.
Information about the breakdown of use of the Funds
As no selection of projects was made during 2008, the categorization represents
the ex-ante estimation on how the funds allocated under the Programme are
intended to be spent according to the codes for the dimensions 1, 2 and 3 of the
Annex II of the Commission Regulation No 1828/2206.
Code1 Code1 Code1
Value2
Dimension 1 Dimension 2 Dimension 3
- Euro -
Form of
Priority theme Territory
Financing
09 - Other measures to stimulate research and
01 08 6,000,000
innovation and entrepreneurship in SMEs
11 - Information and communication technologies
(access, security, interoperability, risk-
01 08 10,000,000
prevention, research, innovation, e-content,
etc.)
14 - Services and applications for SMEs (e-
commerce, education and training, networking, 01 08 4,000,000
etc.)
15 - Other measures for improving access to and
01 08 10,000,000
efficient use of ICT by SMEs
23 - Regional/local roads 01 08 15,000,000
25 - Urban transport 01 08 10,000,000
26 - Multimodal transport 01 08 16,000,000
1
The categories are coded for each dimension using the standard classification
2
Allocated amount of the Community contribution for each combination of categories
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Annual Implementation Report 2008 for the Romania-Bulgaria CBC Programme 2007-2013
28 - Intelligent transport systems 01 08 10,000,000
32 - Inland waterways (TEN-T) 01 08 10,000,000
47 - Air quality 01 08 5,000,000
48 - Integrated prevention and pollution control 01 08 20,000,000
50 - Rehabilitation of industrial sites and
01 08 15,000,000
contaminated land
51 - Promotion of biodiversity and nature
01 08 5,000,000
protection (including Natura 2000)
53 - Risk prevention (including the drafting and
implementation of plans and measures to
01 08 24,823,757
prevent and manage natural and technological
risks)
54 - Other measures to preserve the environment
01 08 6,000,000
and prevent risks
55 - Promotion of natural assets 01 08 3,000,000
56 - Protection and development of natural
01 08 4,000,000
heritage
57 - Other assistance to improve tourist services 01 08 4,000,000
58 - Protection and preservation of the cultural
01 08 5,000,000
heritage
60 - Other assistance to improve cultural services 01 08 3,000,000
62 - Development of life-long learning systems
and strategies in firms; training and services for
employees to step up their adaptability to 01 08 3,000,000
change; promoting entrepreneurship and
innovation
64 - Development of specific services for
employment, training and support in connection
with restructuring of sectors and firms, and
01 08 4,000,000
development of systems for anticipating
economic changes and future requirements in
terms of jobs and skills
66 - Implementing active and preventive
01 08 3,000,000
measures on the labour market
71 - Pathways to integration and re-entry into
employment for disadvantaged people;
combating discrimination in accessing and 01 08 500,000
progressing in the labour market and promoting
acceptance of diversity at the workplace
73 - Measures to increase participation in
education and training throughout the life-cycle,
including through action to achieve a reduction
01 08 3,000,000
in early school leaving, gender-based segregation
of subjects and increased access to and quality of
initial vocational and tertiary education and
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Annual Implementation Report 2008 for the Romania-Bulgaria CBC Programme 2007-2013
training
74 - Developing human potential in the field of
research and innovation, in particular through
post-graduate studies and training of 01 08 3,000,000
researchers, and networking activities between
universities, research centres and businesses
76 - Health infrastructure 01 08 1,000,000
80 - Promoting partnerships, pacts and initiatives
01 08 1,000,000
through the networking of relevant stakeholders
81 - Mechanisms for improving good policy and
programme design, monitoring and evaluation at
national, regional and local level, capacity 01 08 500,000
building in the delivery of policies and
programmes.
85 – Preparation, implementation, monitoring
01 08 8,000,000
and inspection
86 - Evaluation and studies; information and
01 08 5,000,000
communication
TOTAL 217,823,757
Assistance by target groups
The promotion of individual target groups is not subject to the Programme since
all the activities address all target groups in a non-discriminative way.
However, as regards the promotion of equal opportunities between genders,
listed below may be found the attendance to the events organised in 2008 in the
Programme framework:
Priority axis Participants
Total Male Female
4 – Technical Assistance
19/02 Călăraşi conference 140 62 78
24/06 Slatina 66 31 35
25/06 Călăraşi 72 40 32
26/06 Constanţa 56 21 35
01/07 Giurgiu 70 32 38
02/07 Razgrad 52 27 25
03/07 Veliko Tarnovo 53 21 32
04/07 Montana 54 22 32
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Annual Implementation Report 2008 for the Romania-Bulgaria CBC Programme 2007-2013
30/09 Pleven JMC meeting 44 27 17
30/09 Pleven conference 25 14 11
15/12 Montana 23 7 16
15/12 Montana JCS train. 3 3 0
16/12 Pleven 30 14 16
17/12 Veliko Tarnovo 30 14 16
TOTAL 718 335 383
Assistance repaid or re-used
Not applicable, as no project implementation took place in 2008.
Qualitative analysis
During 2008 three calls for proposals were launched in the framework of
Romania-Bulgaria Cross-Border Cooperation Programme:
1) Call for proposals for “soft projects”
The call for proposals was launched in July 2008, after the approval of the
evaluation criteria together with the Applicant Pack by the JMC. An important
number of questions were addressed for this call for proposals, revealing among
beneficiaries a certain degree of confusion of the programme with the old
PHARE CBC programmes. A corrigendum to the Applicant Pack was issued on
September 11, 2008, clarifying or enforcing some aspects.
Under this call for proposals only “soft” projects (as studies, strategies,
seminars, know-how exchanges) were available for selection for funding,
projects that will set the grounds for future projects with a concrete impact to
the cross-border area.
The total amount allocated for this call for proposals for the three priority axes
was 40% of the financial allocation of the ERDF for 2007 for priority axes 1 and 2
and 60% of the financial allocation of the ERDF for 2007 for priority axis 3,
matched by national public and private funding, resulting in a total funding of
16,131,862 Euro, broken down as follows:
Priority Axis Community National National Total funding
Funding public private
funding funding
ERDF (a)
Priority Axis 1 -
Accessibility 4,814,290 824,093 61,898 5,700,281
Priority Axis 2 - 4,554,058 795,621 19,517 5,369,196
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Annual Implementation Report 2008 for the Romania-Bulgaria CBC Programme 2007-2013
Environment
Priority Axis 3 -
Economic and Social
Development 4,293,826 750,157 18,402 5,062,385
Total 13,662,174 2,369,871 99,817 16,131,862
The period for submission of the application forms was between 08 July and 30
September 2008. A number of 51 projects were submitted under the first call for
proposals by September 30, 2008 and one after the deadline, with lead partners
from almost all over the eligible area of the programme, as described below:
Bulgarian lead partners submitted 33 projects and Romanian lead partners 18.
The interest shown for the first call for proposals was very different from one
county/district to another: three counties/districts submitted more than 5
projects while three counties/districts didn’t submit any projects at all. This
may lead to the conclusions that either the potential beneficiaries are more
interested in “hard” projects than “soft” ones, or an intensification of the
information and promotion activities is necessary for 2009.
The average value of the submitted projects was:
Priority Axis Allocation Number of Total value of Average
available for the projects projects value for
call for proposals submitted submitted projects
(all financing submitted
sources)
Priority Axis 1 - Accesibility 5,700,281 5 3,507,789 701,557
Priority Axis 2 - Environment 5,369,196 10 4,022,797 402,279
Priority Axis 3 - Economic and
36 12,486,439 346,845
Social Development 5,062,385
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Annual Implementation Report 2008 for the Romania-Bulgaria CBC Programme 2007-2013
Total 16,131,862 51 20,017,025 392,490
As expected, the highest average value for the projects submitted was
registered for priority axis 1, followed by priority axis 2 and 3. A number of 12
projects with an initially proposed value over 500,000 Euro were received – 2 for
priority axis 1, 3 for priority axis 2 and 7 for priority axis 3 -, out of which two
projects had a value over 1,000,000 Euro – one for priority axis 1 and one for
priority axis 3.
Due to delays in the schedule for setting-up the JTS, the evaluation of the
projects submitted started only in December 2008 and ended in February 2009,
therefore the evaluation and selection process for the first call for proposals was
still ongoing at the end of 2008.
2) Call for proposals for the strategic project idea “Socio-economic condition
and evolution of the Romania-Bulgaria Cross border Area between 2009-
2015”
The general objective of the strategic project is to provide a comprehensive and
accurate overview of the socio-economic conditions and the evolution of the
Romania-Bulgaria cross-border area during the period 2009-2015.
The strategic project idea was approved by the JMC on September 5, 2008 and
the working group established by the JMC further developed it. The Applicant
Pack for the call for strategic project idea was approved by the JMC on
December 15, 2008 and the call was launched.
The period for submission of the application forms was between 15 December
2008 and 15 January 2009. No application form was received in 2008.
3) Second call for proposals
A second call for proposals for both “soft” and “hard” projects was launched in
October 2008.
The total amount allocated for this call for proposals for the three priority axes
was of 101,464,403 Euro, broken down as follows:
Priority Axis Community National Total funding
Funding funding
ERDF (a)
Priority Axis 1 - Accessibility 34.380.341 6.327.048 40.707.389
Priority Axis 2 - Environment 32.521.944 5.821.155 38.343.099
Priority Axis 3 - Economic and Social
Development 19.011.090 3.402.825 22.413.915
Total 85.913.375 15.551.028 101.464.403
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Annual Implementation Report 2008 for the Romania-Bulgaria CBC Programme 2007-2013
The period for application forms submission is between 01 October 2008 and 30
April 2010, with intermediary deadlines on every three months, until the amount
of 101.464.403 Euro will be contracted.
Applications may be submitted to the JTS at any time during the period from the
launching day of the call for proposals and until the final deadline of 30th of April
2010.
Nevertheless, there are five intermediary deadlines, as follows:
31st January 2009 (17:00 o’clock)
30th April 2009 (17:00 o’clock)
31st July 2009 (17:00 o’clock)
30th October 2009 (17:00 o’clock)
1st February 2010 (17:00 o’clock).
An average number of 50 applications / interim deadline are expected to be
submitted by potential beneficiaries.
Corrigendum to the Applicant Guide may be issued with JMC approval after
results from the first evaluation process will be available, or whenever
considered necessary in order to smoothen the evaluation/submission process.
The projects evaluation is performed after each intermediary deadline, for the
applications submitted before the respective deadline.
At the end of 2008, the call for proposals was still open.
2.2. Information about compliance with Community law
Eligibility of expenditures
The list of eligible expenditures was agreed by the Managing Authority and the
National Authority and then approved by the Joint Monitoring Committee
(Decision no. 5/15.04.2008 regarding the approval of the Multiannual Technical
Strategy, Decision no. 7/08.07.2008 regarding the approval of the Applicant’s
Pack for the first call for proposals Decision no. 15/ 30.09.2008 regarding the
approval of the Applicant’s Pack for the second call for proposals).
State Aid
The Managing Authority organized two meetings with the Competition Council
from Romania, on the 27th of March 2008 and on the 31st of June 2008, before
launching each call for proposals. The goal of these meeting was to analyze if
the indicative operations financed through the Programme fall under the
incidence of state aid.
As a result of these meetings, special provisions were inserted into each
applicant pack, provisions that must be respected in order for the projects not
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Annual Implementation Report 2008 for the Romania-Bulgaria CBC Programme 2007-2013
to be subject of state aid rules (also considering the fact that for the financed
activities the beneficiaries do not act as economic operators and for which there
are no considerations to assume that the competition will be distorted). Also, an
eligibility conditions in the evaluation grids is that: “The activities included in
the project do not represent state aid”.
Public Procurement
In Romania, a protocol for inter-institutional cooperation was concluded on the
October 9th, 2008 between the National Authority for Regulating and Monitoring
Public Procurement (N.A.R.M.P.P.), the Unit for Coordination and Verifying the
Public Procurement (UCVPP) and the Ministry of Regional Development and
Housing, as Managing Authority; the goals of the protocol are:
A unitary framework, by correlating the activity on the parties and
avoiding overlapping;
Efficient implementation of the projects financed by structural funds;
Correct use of the Community funds and avoiding financial corrections as
a result of not respecting the public procurement legislation.
The parties have the following roles:
NARMPP formulates, promotes and implements the policy on public
procurement, but also monitors, analyzes, evaluates and supervises the
public procurement system (ex-post control).
UCVPP verifies that the procedural aspects related to the public
procurement process are observed (ex-ante control);
The MA verifies (through the controllers) that the expenditures declared
by the beneficiaries are real and according to the national and European
legislation on public procurement.
At the end of 2008, amendments in the Bulgarian Public Procurement Law have
been introduced (in force since January 2009). The amended Public Procurement
Act contains specific provisions for strengthening the information and publicity
as well as the ex-ante control on procurement procedures related to
implementation of projects, co-financed by EU Funds.
Horizontal Themes (equal opportunities, sustainable development and climate
change)
The Application Form addresses each of the horizontal themes of the
Programme; by this the beneficiaries must state how their project observes the
Programme provisions on horizontal themes.
The evaluation criteria, approved by the Joint Monitoring Committee, together
with the application packs, make sure that the horizontal themes are respected.
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Annual Implementation Report 2008 for the Romania-Bulgaria CBC Programme 2007-2013
At the same time, the better a project is addressing these aspects the more
extra points will receive in the evaluation process.
Also, during the entire lifetime of a project, these rules must be observed, since
such a provision is inserted in the financing contract.
2.3. Significant problems encountered and measures taken to overcome
them
1) Late setting up of the Joint Technical Secretariat
An implementation agreement was signed between the MA and the organization
hosting the JTS (Regional Office for Cross Border Cooperation for Romania-
Bulgaria Border, Calarasi) on May 21st, 2008. However, the staff hiring didn’t
start right after the signing of the implementation agreement due to changes in
the organization management and failure in finding a proper office for the JTS
activity. Efforts were made by the MA in order to accelerate the process of
setting up the JTS, while most of the JTS delegated tasks were performed by the
MA and NA until the JTS becoming operational. The JTS became operational in
late December 2008, after the first employees were hired at the beginning of
December.
2) Establishing the rules applicable to projects
Considering that both Romania and Bulgaria are new member states of the
European Union, with no experience in managing structural funds, it was
difficult to establish the regulatory framework (establishing procedures for
evaluation, contracting, irregularities, financial management, technical
assistance, archiving, flow of documents, risk management etc.) according to
the very strict demands of the Audit Authority. However, by the end of 2008 the
MA approved all the procedures necessary for the Programme implementation.
3) Legislation of the partner state not known at a sufficient level
The legislation of the partner state on topics related to the programme
implementation was not always completely known by partners (at programme
and project level) from the other side of the border, creating sometimes
confusions.
Measures taken to overcome the problem:
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Annual Implementation Report 2008 for the Romania-Bulgaria CBC Programme 2007-2013
At programme level, the partner state – MA/NA – provided summaries of
legislation at the request of the partner.
At project level, the NA issued a brochure on the public procurement
rules applicable in Bulgaria.
It was decided by the MA and NA to have elaborated and published on the
programme website in the first half of 2009 a detailed implementation
manual for the successful applicants.
It was decided the elaboration in 2009 of a comparative legislation study
for both Romania and Bulgaria on major topics related to programme
implementation that will be published also on the official website of the
programme. The activity will be performed in 2009 under JTS
coordination.
4) Insufficient level of knowledge of programme specificities by potential
applicants and low level of training in PCM for persons elaborating the
application forms
From all the questions and applications received it was concluded that the PCM
level of knowledge of persons elaborating the applications was in many cases low
and the specificities of the programme are not sufficiently understood by
potential applicants, the programme rules being many times confused with the
rules of the PHARE CBC Romania-Bulgaria / Bulgaria-Romania Programme.
The measures taken to overcome this problem were:
Increasing the number of information events in 2008, including
comparisons between PHARE CBC rules and Programme rules (see also
section 6.1 of the present report) and
Scheduling for 2009 a series of more technical information events and
organizing meetings with rejected applicants in order for them to
understand the rejection reasons and to improve the quality of future
applications in the programme framework.
5) Late start of the evaluation process for the first call for proposals
The deadline for submission of projects in the framework of the first call for
proposals was September 30, 2008. The timeframe for evaluation of projects was
set for 100 working days in the applicant pack. However, the evaluation could
not start right after the deadline for submission of projects due to the fact that
the JTS had no staff hired and the programme and its evaluation and selection
procedure foresee this activity to be performed by the JTS.
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Annual Implementation Report 2008 for the Romania-Bulgaria CBC Programme 2007-2013
For all JTS recruitment procedure, the same publicity has been insured on both
sides of the border, including written press and websites. However, no Bulgarian
staff was hired within JTS after the first recruitment process, due to very poor
participation of Bulgarian applicants. The reasons for the lower participation of
Bulgarian experts in the recruitment procedure arise from the difficulties of
relocating in a foreign country (even if it is close to the border). As a first
measure to overcome this situation, an installation package for employees
coming from other cities has been foreseen in the JTS budget for 2009. Wider
publicity through specialized recruitment sites shall also be ensured. A more
active implication of the Bulgarian National Authority could also improve the
participation of Bulgarian experts to JTS recruitment procedures.
The lack of Bulgarian experts within JTS was considered as a problem for the
constitution of the assessment working group, which should consist of both
Romanian and Bulgarian members.
The measure taken was revising the programme evaluation and selection
procedure by including the possibility of MA and NA staff to participate as
assessors and not only as observers to the works of the assessment working group
in duly justified cases and wherever the JTS does not have the capacity to
perform this task by itself. Also, the NA provided two experts to be members of
the assessment working group for the first call for proposals and therefore the
evaluation of the applications could be started in December 2008.
6) Qualified opinion of the Audit Authority for the Programme description
of the management and control system
The Audit Authority gave a qualified opinion in late December 2008 for the
description of the management and control system, expressing reservations
concerning issues related to all major actors involved in the programme
implementation, namely: the delay in signing of the Memorandum of
Understanding by all parties; missing procedures specific to Programme
implementation for NA, CA and need for revising some MA and JTS procedures;
more detailed description of functions within MA, NA, CA, JTS; keeping a proper
accounting in electronic format for funds from Programme budget and better
defining the first level control mechanism.
By the end of the year, the parties involved drew up action plans for the
implementation of the Audit Authority’s recommendations in 2009.
2.4. Changes in the context of the OP implementation (if relevant)
Legislation issues
The preparatory works for setting up the Romanian national legislation on
eligible expenditures were finalized by the end of 2008 (technical assistance
eligible expenditures, eligible expenditures for the first calls for proposals).
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Annual Implementation Report 2008 for the Romania-Bulgaria CBC Programme 2007-2013
The Government Ordinance no. 46/2007 regarding the distribution of external
non-refundable funds and of Romanian national contribution in the budget of the
institutions involved in their management for the “European Territorial
Cooperation” Objective was amended, thus being established the fact that the
Romanian beneficiaries in the Programme will receive advance payments from
the national co-financing.
The Government Ordinance 34/2006 regarding public procurement rules
applicable in Romania was reviewed – some public procurement procedures were
simplified in order to shorten the public procurement procedure durations.
The Bulgarian national legislation in force on eligible expenditures for ETC
programmes does not affect the ETC/CBC programmes on the internal EU
borders where Bulgaria participates, including the RO-BG CBC Programmes 2007-
2013.
On the basis of the JMC related decisions, the National Authority will issue
internal regulatory documents of MRDPW for the technical assistance’s eligible
expenditures, eligible expenditure for the first calls for proposals, and for the
next calls to come consequently.
The applicable national legislation framework for public procurement in Bulgaria
is the Public Procurement Law applicable for public bodies and Decree
55/12.03.2007 of the Council of Ministers applicable for the rest of the
beneficiaries. Amendments to these two legal acts are expected in 2009.
Economic crisis
At the end of 2008 the global economic crisis effects started to be observed in
the programme area. Although having positive values, all economic indicators
decreased significantly in the last quarter of 2008 in both countries for almost all
categories of resources and activities. Also, the imports and exports rates
registered a significant decrease at the end of 2008.
The areas most affected by the global economic crisis in the last quarter of 2008
were: the industry, financial activities, real estate and services for enterprises.
The official prognoses3 for 2009 are for decreasing rates of the GDP, and net
investments in national economies and increasing rate of unemployment.
The global economic crisis may generate some risks upon Romania-Bulgaria
Cross-Border Cooperation Programme implementation. It is expected that in
2009 an important number of organization will have difficulties, especially in
financing / co-financing the activities started, therefore:
o The organization priorities may change related to the ones settled for the
application submission dates
3
Romanian National Prognosis Commission and Bulgarian National Statistics Reports
18
Annual Implementation Report 2008 for the Romania-Bulgaria CBC Programme 2007-2013
o The co-financing possibilities of partners may decrease
o The human resources of partners may decrease – for example some staff
may leave the organizations; the remaining staff will be overloaded and
not able to implement all activities.
o It is possible that some of the partners enter into bankruptcy procedures
All aspects mentioned above may result during 2009 into:
o decreased number of applications submitted,
o low quality of applications,
o redraws of submitted applications during evaluation or pre-contractual
phases,
o important number of addendums to contracts signed and
o even termination of contracts.
2.5. Substantial modification under Article 57 of Regulation (EC) No
1083/2006 (if relevant)
Not applicable.
2.6. Complementarity with other instruments
The complementarity with other financial instruments will be ensured through
mechanisms foreseen in the programming document. The Managing Authority,
the National Authority and the joint bodies (Joint Technical Secretariat,
Monitoring and Steering Committees) will be responsible with implementing
these arrangements during the programme implementation phase.
Coordination with similar activities financed by EAFRD and EFF
To ensure synergy between structural, employment and rural development
policies, the Managing Authority ensures complementarity and coherence
between actions to be financed by the ERDF, the ESF, the Cohesion Fund, the
EAFRD and the EFF on the Programme eligible area in the fields of access to
infrastructure, dissemination of the information in the border area, protection
of the environment, supporting the conditions for economic development,
entrepreneurship and employment and supporting cooperation.
Mechanisms for the Coordination and Coherence of the Programme with the
Cohesion Policy Programmes operated in the area
The programme authorities consider that consistency and co-ordination between
the major programmes co-funded by EU money is essential to ensure that all
objectives are met with no duplication of effort and actions and also to
maximize funding opportunities available for the Programme area under the
different Community Programmes.
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Annual Implementation Report 2008 for the Romania-Bulgaria CBC Programme 2007-2013
The presence of the Managing Authorities of the national Operational
Programmes and Rural Development Programmes, as well as of the national
authorities/contact points/persons of other ETC Programmes in both countries as
members/observers in the Joint Monitoring Committee and Joint Steering
Committee of the Romania-Bulgaria Programme has been foreseen in order to
avoid overlapping and ensure coherence and complementarities of the
interventions under all these programmes.
Electronic information exchange
Information is exchanged with the other bodies that are implementing
operational programmes co-financed by structural funds whenever necessary, in
order to clarify issues or avoid confusions.
2.7. Monitoring arrangements
The existing monitoring system described in brief in the Annual Implementation
Report for 2007 is still in force. However, during 2008, the description of the
management and control system together with specific procedures for
programme implementation were elaborated, setting up in a more detailed
manner the monitoring arrangements, such as:
PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION
Training sessions with lead partners will be organized after projects
approval / contract signing
Progress/final reports will be elaborated by the Lead Partner (LP) on a
quarterly basis and submitted to the JTS even if no expenditure incurred
during a reporting period
The reimbursement claims will be checked by the first level controller
The JTS verifies the progress reports on the desk and on the spot.
The JTS inputs the electronic data of the progress report into Monitoring
Information System – European Territorial Cooperation (MIS-ETC)
The quarterly reports are going to be approved by MA after the General
Department for Programme Payment Authorisation (GDPPA) authorizes the
expenditures. On the spot visits will be performed on a sample basis.
Monitoring environmental impact of the project will be performed –
provisions for reporting such impact being included both in the application
form and final project report
Monitoring the observance of the equal opportunities aspects was also
taken into account - the Lead Partner should attach to the project final
report a Questionnaire regarding this issue
For projects with total eligible expenditures over 500,000 Euro an
independent audit shall be carried out for the entire project and the
resulting audit report shall be submitted to the JTS together with the
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Annual Implementation Report 2008 for the Romania-Bulgaria CBC Programme 2007-2013
final report
MIS-ETC
The Management Information System for European Territorial Cooperation is an
electronic system that provides all the necessary information at project and
programme level.
The Managing Authority for the Romania-Bulgaria Cross-Border Cooperation
Programme 2007-2013 ensures development of MIS-ETC, under the co-ordination
of ACSI and has also the following tasks:
a) ensures prompt registration and update of the information in MIS-ETC
b) ensures the interface with the directorates of the Programme MA as
concerns the operation of the Management Information System for
European Territorial Cooperation;
c) ensures the execution of the “help-desk” function for the Programme as
concerns the Management Information System;
d) manages and collects the information regarding the subsequent operation
and development needs of MIS-ETC;
e) manages the eventual error and malfunctions of MIS-ETC.
The Programme Management Support Unit, as part of the Managing Authority,
ensures the technical validation/introduction of the data into MIS-ETC
(especially the “Parameters” module);
The Directorate General Programmes Authorization and Payments (DGPAP)
ensures prompt registration and update of the information in MIS-ETC, being
responsible for the accuracy, integrity and filling level of data related to its
tasks for the Programme, supervises the data input into MIS-ETC by the JTS and
validates the eligible expenditures according to the manual of procedures;
The Ministry of Regional Developing and Housing has signed the service contract
no 502952/30.11.2008, financed from PHARE 2006/018-147.04.03, with the
consortium lead by INTRASOFT International in order to develop the Management
Information System for European Territorial Cooperation (MIS-ETC). The
project’s period execution will be 12 months from the signing date. The
project’s objective is to develop a Management Information System dedicated to
the needs of specific cross-border cooperation programme for which Romania is
the Management Authority under the European Territorial Cooperation
Objective. The system will support the Romanian Managing Authority in the
implementation of the Cross-border Cooperation Programme Romania-Bulgaria
to achieve a sound financial management of the funds allocated to the
programme in accordance with the EU regulations, program documents, working
procedures, and requirements of users. The Managing Authority expects the
Management Information System for European Territorial Cooperation to be
operational at the end of 2009.
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Annual Implementation Report 2008 for the Romania-Bulgaria CBC Programme 2007-2013
JMC
During 2008, the programme JMC was very active, constantly involved and
marking significant milestones in programme implementation. Two meetings
gathering Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC) took place and five written
procedures were initiated, as mentioned bellow:
on April 15, 2008, the first meeting took place and 6 major decisions were
taken on:
- JMC rules of procedure
- Communication Plan
- Multi-Annual Evaluation Plan
- First Annual Implementation Report 2007
- Multi-Annual Technical Assistance Strategy
- Technical Assistance Strategy 2008
on July 8, 2008, the first written procedure approved the Applicant Pack
for the first call for proposals
on September 5, 2008, the second written procedure approved the
Procedure for strategic projects and the strategic idea “Socio-economic
Condition and Evolution of the Romania-Bulgaria Cross-Border Area
between 2009 and 2015” and the structure of the working group for its
development
on September 11, 2008, the third written procedure approved the
corrigendum to Applicants Pack for first call for proposals
on September 30, 2008, the second JMC meeting was held and 6 major
decisions were taken on:
- JSC composition
- JSC Rules of procedure
- VIM
- Amendments to the JMC rules of procedures
- Applicant Pack for the second call for proposal
on December 15, 2008, the forth written procedure approved the
Applicants Pack for strategic project idea and amendments to the VIM
on December 18, 2008, the fifth written procedure approved the
amendments for the JMC rules of procedure and the Description of the
Management and Control System
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Annual Implementation Report 2008 for the Romania-Bulgaria CBC Programme 2007-2013
2.8. National performance reserve (where applicable and only for the
annual implementation report submitted for 2010)
Not applicable.
3. Implementation by priority
3.1. Priority Axis 1
Priority axis 1: Accessibility - Improved mobility and access to transport,
information and communication infrastructure in the cross-border area.
The focus of the priority axis will lie upon promoting of such joint cross-border
solutions in the field of road and river transport and ICT, which will lead to
overcome the impact of geographical and functional barriers both to traffic
flows and communication in the Programme area. These are pre-conditions to
the mobility of goods and people and to the economic and social common
undertakings within the Programme area and thereby this priority axis will
contribute to improving the attractiveness of the cross-border area and
strengthening the area sustainable economic growth and territorial cohesion.
Some 80.6 million Euro ERDF grant is available for this priority axis, matched by
13.8 million Euro national contributions.
The first call for proposals was launched on July 8 and the submission deadline
was September 30, 2008.
The total value allocated for soft projects under this priority axis was of
5,700,281 Euro of which 4,814,290 Euro Community funding, 824,093 Euro
national public funding and 61,898 Euro national private funding.
A number of 5 application forms were submitted for the Priority axis 1, as
follows: 3 on the KAI 1 - Improvements to land and river cross-border transport
facilities and 2 on KAI 2 - Development of information and communications
networks and services within the cross-border area.
Lead partners submitting RO BG
applications under the No of No of
first call for proposals Value Value
projects projects
KAI 1.1 1 643,767
KAI 1.2 3 2,615,351 1 370,000
The indicators used to measure the progress of this priority are shown in the
table below:
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Annual Implementation Report 2008 for the Romania-Bulgaria CBC Programme 2007-2013
Priority Axis 1 Indicators 2007 200 200 201 201 201 201 201 201 Total
8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5
Priority Axis Objective 1. To improve cross-border mobility through improving existing conditions and developing new facilities
for transport in the eligible area.
Number of projects improving Achievement 0 0
transport accessibility in the
programme area Target 2015 9
Baseline 0 0
Reduction of travel time Achievement 0 0
between settlements located
on either side of the border Target 2015 70
(%) Baseline 100 100
Priority Axis Objective 2. To enable efficient regular exchange of information and data of cross-border relevance
Number of projects improving Achievement 0 0
ICT accessibility in the
programme area Target 2015 30
Baseline 0 0
Number of people having Achievement 0
access to ICT facilities
Target 2015 3.2 M
Baseline 0 0
Number of people using ICT Achievement 0 0
facilities
Target 2015 1.75 M
Baseline 0 0
3.2. Priority Axis 2
Priority axis 2: Environment - Sustainable use and protection of natural
resources and environment and promotion of efficient risk management in the
cross-border area.
The focus of this priority axis will be on the prudent exploitation and protection
of the intrinsic quality and value of the area’s outstanding natural resources by
joint initiatives, including prevention from natural and technological risks and
the fast reaction to emergency situations, as the elemental conditions to
increase the quality of life and attractiveness of the Programme area and to
achieve a sustainable socio-economic development.
Some 76.2 million Euro ERDF grant is available for this priority axis, matched by
13.7 million Euro national contributions.
The first call for proposals was launched on July 8 and the submission deadline
was September 30, 2008.
The total value allocated for soft projects under this priority axis was of
5,369,196 Euro of which 4,554,058 Euro Community funding, 795,621 Euro
national public funding and 19,517 Euro national private funding.
A number of 10 application forms were submitted for the Priority axis 2, as
follows: 9 on the KAI 1- Development of joint management systems for
environmental protection and 1 on KAI 2 - Development of joint infrastructure
24
Annual Implementation Report 2008 for the Romania-Bulgaria CBC Programme 2007-2013
and services to prevent natural and man-made crises, including joint emergency
response services.
Lead partners submitting RO BG
applications under the No of No of
first call for proposals Value Value
projects projects
KAI 2.1 3 1,300,392 6 2,261,434
KAI 2.2 1 599,235
The total eligible amount of the submitted application forms on the Priority axis
2 was of 4,022,797.60 Euro of which 3,393,890.43 Euro Community funding,
519,827.42 Euro State Budget contributions and 109,024.00 Euro own
contribution.
The Assessment Working Group for the Application forms submitted under this
call for proposals was assigned on the 9th of December 2008, through Decision
no. 133376 of the Ministry of Regional Development and Housing.
The evaluation started on the 10th of December and was still ongoing at the end
of 2008.
The indicators used to measure the progress of this priority, are shown in the
table below:
Priority Axis 2 Indicators 2007 200 200 201 201 201 201 201 201 Total
8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5
Priority Axis Objective 1. To ensure effective protection and use of the area’s natural assets by coordinated joint management
systems.
Number of projects developing Achievement 0 0
joint management systems for
environmental protection Target 2015 30
Baseline 0 0
Number of joint management Achievement 0 0
systems implemented
Target 2015 20
Baseline 0 0
Priority Axis Objective 2. To increase the awareness on the environmental protection and management in the cross-border
area
Number of projects raising Achievement 0 0
awareness on environmental
protection and management Target 2015 100
Baseline 0 0
The extent to which the Achievement 0 0
eligible area is covered by
awareness raising campaigns Target 2015 70
(%) Baseline 0 0
Number of people benefiting Achievement 0 0
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Annual Implementation Report 2008 for the Romania-Bulgaria CBC Programme 2007-2013
from awareness raising
activities on environmental Target 2015 2.5 M
protection Baseline 0 0
Priority Axis Objective 3. To protect local population, businesses, environment and infrastructure from the potentially
disastrous consequences of natural and man-made crises, by joint preventative actions and emergency response services
throughout the border area.
Number of projects Achievement 0 0
contributing to risk prevention
in the cross-border area Target 2015 10
Baseline 0 0
Number of projects Achievement 0 0
contributing to joint early
warning and emergency Target 2015 10
response to risk Baseline 0 0
The extent to which the Achievement 0 0
Danube is covered by joint
flood prevention systems in Target 2015 70
the cross-border area (%) Baseline 0 0
The extent to which the Achievement 0 0
eligible area is covered by
joint risk prevention systems Target 2015 30
(%) Baseline 0 0
The extent to which Danube is Achievement 0 0
covered by joint early warning
emergency activities against Target 2015 70
flooding (%) Baseline 0 0
Number of partnerships Achievement 0 0
created for early warning and
emergency response activities Target 2015 10
Baseline 0 0
3.3. Priority Axis 3
Priority axis 3: Economic and Social Development - Economic development and
social cohesion by joint identification and enhancement of the area’s
comparative advantages.
The focus of this priority axis will be on reinforcing the economic and social
connections in the border area in order to take advantage of its opportunities
and strengths and to boost an economically competitive cross-border area, as a
whole. It will encourage entrepreneurship, innovation and the growth of the
knowledge economy in the Programme area, contribute to increasing the quality
and level of services and attracting more people into employment. Also, by
strengthening the social and cultural coherence among people and communities
this priority axis will contribute to the development of the cooperative area and
to the creation of a favourable image and regional identity, able to enhance the
sustainable economic growth of the cross-border area.
Some 47.9 million Euro ERDF grant is available for this priority axis, matched by
8.6 million Euro national contributions.
The first call for proposals was launched on July 8, 2008 and the submission
deadline was September 30, 2008.
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Annual Implementation Report 2008 for the Romania-Bulgaria CBC Programme 2007-2013
The total value allocated for this priority axis was of 5,062,385 Euro of which
4,293,826 Euro Community funding, 750,157 Euro national public funding and
18,402 national private funding.
A number of 36 application forms were submitted on the Priority axis 3, as
follows: 16 on the KAI 1 - Support for cross-border business cooperation and
promotion of a regional image and identity, 2 on KAI 2 – Cooperation on human
resources development – joint development of skills and knowledge and 18 on
KAI 3 - People-to-people cooperation.
Lead partners submitting RO BG
applications under the No of No of
first call for proposals Value Value
projects projects
KAI 3.1 5 3,317,328 11 5,492,850
KAI 3.2 1 309,311 1 849,598
KAI 3.3 8 1,119,930 10 1,643,820
The total eligible amount of the submitted application forms on the Priority axis
3 was of 12,486,439.91 Euro of which 10,587,785.99 Euro Community funding.
The Assessment Working Group for the Application forms submitted under this
call for proposals was assigned on the 9-th of December 2008, through Decision
no. 133376 of the Ministry of Regional Development and Housing.
The evaluation started on the 10th of December and was still ongoing at the end
of 2008.
The strategic project “Socio-economic condition and evolution of the
Romania-Bulgaria Cross-Border Area between 2009-2015” is financed from
Priority axis 3, KAI 1 - Support for cross-border business cooperation and
promotion of a regional image and identity. The general objective of this project
is to provide a comprehensive and accurate overview of the socio-economic
conditions and the evolution of the Romania-Bulgaria cross-border area 2009-
2015.
The total value allocated for the project was 6,000,000 Euro. The call for
proposals started in December 2008 and was ongoing at the end of the year.
The indicators used to measure the progress of this priority are shown in the
table below:
Priority Axis 3 Indicators 2007 200 200 201 201 201 201 201 201 Total
8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5
Priority Axis Objective 1. To develop cross-border business infrastructure and services
Number of projects developing Achievement 0 0
cross-border business
infrastructure and services Target 2015 10
Baseline 0 0
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Annual Implementation Report 2008 for the Romania-Bulgaria CBC Programme 2007-2013
Number of SMEs benefiting Achievement 0 0
from business facilities
Target 2015 500
Baseline 0 0
Priority Axis Objective 2. To promote the image of the cross-border area inside and outside its boundaries
Number of projects promoting Achievement 0 0
the image of the cross-border
area inside and outside its Target 2015 10
boundaries Baseline 0 0
Number of promotion Achievement 0 0
materials/ events developed
Target 2015 30
Baseline 0 0
Priority Axis Objective 3. To support development of joint integrated tourism products based on the comparative advantages
of the cross-border area
Number of projects supporting Achievement 0 0
the development of integrated
tourism products based on the Target 2015 10
comparative advantages of the Baseline 0 0
cross-border area
Number of joint integrated Achievement 0 0
tourism products created
Target 2015 10
Baseline 0 0
Priority Axis Objective 4. To stimulate cross-border cooperation between universities, research institutes and businesses
Number of projects Achievement 0 0
stimulating cross-border
cooperation between Target 2015 15
universities, research Baseline 0 0
institutes and businesses
Number of partnerships Achievement 0 0
between universities, research
institutes and businesses Target 2015 15
Baseline 0 0
Priority Axis Objective 5. To support the cross-border sharing of information on employment opportunities
Number of projects supporting Achievement 0 0
cross-border sharing of
information on employment Target 2015 30
opportunities Baseline 0 0
Number of people informed on Achievement 0 0
employment opportunities
Target 2015 360.000
Baseline 0 0
Priority Axis Objective 6. To develop cross-border training services for employment, in connection with the integrated market
needs
Number of projects developing Achievement 0 0
cross-border training services
for employment in connection Target 2015 17
with the integrated market Baseline 0 0
needs
Number of people graduating Achievement 0 0
cross-border training courses
Target 2015 3.500
Baseline 0
Priority Axis Objective 7. To develop cross-border linkages and exchanges between education/training centers
28
Annual Implementation Report 2008 for the Romania-Bulgaria CBC Programme 2007-2013
Number of projects developing Achievement 0 0
cross-border linkages and
exchanges between Target 2015 15
education/training centres Baseline 0 0
Number of partnerships Achievement 0 0
created between education/
training centres Target 2015 30
Baseline 0 0
Priority Axis Objective 8. To strengthen social and cultural coherence and co-operation among local people and communities
in the programme area
Number of projects Achievement 0 0
strengthening cultural
coherence and cooperation Target 2015 90
among local people and Baseline 0 0
communities in the local area
Number of people Achievement 0 0
participating in people to
people actions Target 2015 4.500
Baseline 0 0
3.4. Priority Axis 4
Please see section 5 of the present report.
4. ERDF/CF programmes: Major Projects
Not applicable – no major projects will be financed under this programme.
5. Technical Assistance
The Technical Assistance under this programme will only finance activities
directly related to the Programme management. Technical assistance will be
invested in the overall management and promotion of the programme, rising
awareness, pro-active project generation and interactive development.
The Technical Assistance Priority Axis of the Programme is split into two Key
Areas of Interventions:
KAI 4.1 - Support for the implementation and overall management of the
Programme.
KAI 4.2 - Support for the communication and information of the Programme.
5.1. Technical Assistance Annual Strategy for 2008 (TAAS)
The Technical Assistance Annual Strategy represents the framework document
for the technical assistance interventions developed in order to ensure the
efficient, effective and transparent management and implementation of the
Programme. It contains information regarding the actors involved in the
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Annual Implementation Report 2008 for the Romania-Bulgaria CBC Programme 2007-2013
implementation of the strategy, description of the implementation system, the
activities to be developed and the allocated resources.
The Technical Assistance Annual Strategy was approved by the Joint Monitoring
Committee of the Programme on 15 April 2008.
5.2. Beneficiaries of the Technical Assistance priority axis are:
Joint Technical Secretariat
Audit Authority
National Authority
Managing Authority
5.3. Elaboration/revision of relevant documents for the implementation of
the Technical Assistance
During the reporting period, the managing bodies have elaborated the following
documents relevant for the implementation of priority axis 4 Technical
Assistance:
- The Multi-annual Technical Assistance Strategy, approved on April 15,
2008.
- The Technical Assistance Annual Strategy for 2008, approved on April
15, 2008.
- The Communication Plan of the Programme, approved on April 15,
2008.
- Internal working procedures for the Programme: Technical Assistance
Procedure together with the Information and Publicity Procedure,
approved during November 2008.
5.4. Eligible expenditure
The order for eligible expenditure under the technical assistance of the
programme on the Romanian side of the border was elaborated and approved in
2008.
5.5. Technical assistance contracting and payments
A global financing decision for the MA and a financing contract were signed in
2008 with the JTS of the programme related to 2008 technical assistance
activities.
Expenditure under the technical assistance priority axis was spent in 2008, but
no reimbursement request was submitted by the end of the year.
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Annual Implementation Report 2008 for the Romania-Bulgaria CBC Programme 2007-2013
Payments incurred for the implementation of the Technical Assistance by
MA during 2008
The funds available for the implementation of the Technical Assistance priority
axis were used in activities organized under the two Key Areas of Intervention
for the management and promotion of the Programme: organization of two Joint
Monitoring Committee Meetings (in Romania on 15 April 2008 and in Bulgaria on
30 September 2009), participation of the MA staff to trainings, organization of
seminars for launching the call for proposals, organization of technical meetings,
acquisition of equipments for the functioning of the MA, translation and
interpretation services, communication and information services (publications,
media campaigns, promotional materials).
The amounts allocated through the TAAS 2008 for the MA, together with the
payments made during 2008 by the MA for the implementation of the Technical
Assistance priority axis are presented in the table below:
Key Area of Intervention 2008 Budget approved Payments made in Percentage
through TAS by JMC 2008 by the Managing usage of
(ERDF 64,72% + Authority for TA 2008
National co-financing (Euro)* allocated
35,28%) (Euro) funds
KAI 4.1 - Support for the 299.780 7.382,81 2,46%
implementation and
overall management of the
Programme
KAI 4.2 - Support for the 446.000 138.077,71 30,96%
communication and
information of the
Programme
* Calculated using the INFOREURO monthly exchange rate valid for the month in which the expenditure has
been incurred (amounts validated by the First Level Control within the MRDH). The final value in EURO
shall be determined using the EC exchange rate for the month in which the amount is registered by the
Certifying and Payment Authority (in accordance with article 81 of Directive 1083/2006).
As resulting from the figures in the table, the usage during 2008 of the allocated
amounts were at a low level because of the difficulties and challenges raised by
a new Operational Programme starting: the framework documents of the
Programme’s Technical Assistance priority axis were approved at the end of May
2008 (Annual Technical Assistance Strategy and the Global Financing Decision),
therefore the funds were available for expenditure only in the second half of the
year.
The Romanian legal framework is another reason for the low level of TA funds
usage, as the legal requirements (GO no 34/2006) stipulate very long
implementation periods for the public procurement procedure.
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Annual Implementation Report 2008 for the Romania-Bulgaria CBC Programme 2007-2013
The remaining amounts were transferred to the 2009 budget of the MA for the
implementation of the Technical Assistance priority axis.
Payments incurred for the implementation of the Technical Assistance by NA
during 2008
The National Authority for the programme organised a technical meeting for the
managing staff of the Programme in Pleven on September 29, 2008. During the
meeting, the MA and NA staff discussed and clarified issues related to the
Programme implementation.
The NA organised the second JMC meeting in Pleven on September 30, 2008.
More than 40 participants attended the event. The meeting was followed by an
official national event promoting the programme and by a press conference with
representatives of national and local media.
A fist preparatory meeting for Bulgarian JSC members was organised by the NA in
Montana on December 15, 2008. The adopted Rules of Procedure for the JSC
were presented to 3 JSC members and they were also informed about their tasks
and responsibilities.
The amount spent under KAI 4.1 includes the expenditure for business trips of NA
staff, a limited amount of expenditure for purchasing office equipment, and
some overheads.
Concerning the TA budget of the programme, 227,016.60 Euro out of 350,625
Euro (incl. 10% reserve – 31,875 Euro) approved in the TAAS 2008 were spent
during 2008, as follows:
Key Area of Intervention 2008 Budget approved Payments made in Percentage
through TAAS by JMC 2008 by the NA usage of the
(ERDF 64,72% + National funds
(Euro)
co-financing 35,28%) allocated for
(Euro) 2008
KAI 4.1 - Support for the 130 750 8,753.92 6.70 %
implementation and
overall management of
the Programme
KAI 4.2 - Support for the 188 000 136,622.11 72.67 %
communication and
information of the
Programme
Note: The budget spent under KAI 4.2 includes expenditure for services rendered
for both KAI 4.1 and 4.2 and because the Bulgarian procurement law does not
allow splitting the same services a single service contract was concluded for the
organisation of JMC & JSC meetings, of technical meetings and of information
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Annual Implementation Report 2008 for the Romania-Bulgaria CBC Programme 2007-2013
days (room rental, catering, provision of equipment, hotel booking, logistics
arrangement).
Payments incurred for the implementation of the Technical Assistance by
JTS during 2008
In September 2008 a number of 52 applications were received by the CBC ROC
experts for the first intermediary call for proposals, although the JTS was not
functional until the end of the year. All the applications were sealed according
to the MA instruction until the Assessing Working Group for the first call was
created.
The Organisational and Functioning Regulation of CBC ROC and the job
descriptions for the JTS staff were drafted during October 2008. The Board of
Directors also approved the Organisation and Functioning Regulation and the
Organisational Chart of CBC ROC.
The Executive Director of CBC ROC nominated an intermediary Head of JTS
starting with November 5th, 2008.
Following the recruitment process for JTS staff, in December 2008, four experts
were employed: Head of JTS, Head of Project Management Unit, Head of
Financial Management Unit and Head of Promotion and Information Unit.
Therefore, in December 2008 the new employed personnel participated at the
elaboration of procedures manuals specific to the JTS, necessary for the
implementation of the Programme. The Head of JTS submitted to the MA the
proposal regarding the assessors for the first intermediary call for proposals. The
evaluation and selection process for the first intermediary call started on
December 2008.
During December 2008 the JTS started the procurement procedures for logistics
in order to ensure the Programme implementation in sound conditions.
Concerning the TA budget of the programme, 15,232.35 Euro out of 72,210 Euro
approved in the TAAS 2008 were spent during 2008, as follows:
Key Area of Intervention 2008 Budget approved Payments made in Percentage
through TAAS by JMC 2008 by the JTS usage of
(ERDF 64,72% + National 2008
(Euro)
co-financing 35,28%) allocated
(Euro) funds
KAI 4.1 - Support for the 337,932 15,232.35 4.5%
implementation and
overall management of
the Programme
KAI 4.2 - Support for the 118,100 0 0
communication and
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Annual Implementation Report 2008 for the Romania-Bulgaria CBC Programme 2007-2013
information of the
Programme
5.6. Technical assistance indicators
The indicators used to measure the progress of this priority, together with the
progress achieved up to date, are shown in the table below:
Priority Axis 4 Indicators 2007 200 200 201 201 201 201 201 201 Total
8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5
Functional Joint Technical Achievement 0 1
Secretariat
Target 2015 1
Baseline 0 0
Web page of the Programme Achievement 0 1
Target 2015 1
Baseline 0 0
Number of officers acquiring Achievement 0 8
competencies in programme
management and successfully Target 2015 18
performing their duties in JTS Baseline 0 0
and other Programme bodies
Number of planned Achievement 0 0
programme evaluations
Target 2015 2
Baseline 0 0
Number of Joint Monitoring Achievement 0 2
Committee meetings held
Target 2015 14
Baseline 0 0
Number of calls for projects Achievement 0 1
finalized
Target 2015 12
Baseline 0 0
Number of information and Achievement 0 12
promotion events
Target 2015 110
Baseline 0 0
Number of printed Achievement 0 3
publications (types)
Target 2015 40
Baseline 0 0
5.7 Other technical assistance available for the programme
During 2008, the programme also benefited of support from projects financed
from other financing sources than the technical assistance of the programme or
the Ministry own budget.
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RO/2005/IB/OT/01- Twinning for preparing the structures involved in INTERREG
/ NEIGHBOURHOOD instrument programmes
The project aimed at helping the Ministry of Development, Public Works and
Housing - Romania in finalizing the programming documents for the European
Territorial Cooperation programmes it manages. The project also aimed at
enhancing the administrative capacity of the ministry for the implementation,
management and control of the European Territorial Cooperation programmes.
Implementation period: 18 months starting with 28.03.2007
The Managing Authority for Romania-Bulgaria Cross-Border Cooperation
Programme benefited of assistance on specific issues – state aid, revenue
generating projects, drawing-up subsidy contracts, partnership agreements,
elaborating performance indicators for JTS financing contracts.
RO 2005/017-533.04.01.05.04.01 - “Technical Assistance for supporting the
Managing Authorities and the Intermediate Bodies for the Regional Operational
Programme and the Operational Programmes financed under Objective 3”
The general objective of the project was to strengthen the administrative
capacity of the central and regional bodies involved in the management and
implementation of ROP and OP financed under Objective 3- ETC, in order to
successfully fulfil their obligations as Managing Authorities and Intermediate
Bodies/Joint Technical Secretariats. The project had three main components,
referring to the development of strategies/plans for organizational change,
training and consultancy delivery for the Managing Authorities and the
Intermediate Bodies on specific themes and improving/updating of
manuals/guides/internal instructions.
Implementation period: 29.02.2007-30.11.2008
MA and ROC Calarasi staff benefited of tailored-made training on topics related
to the ETC – strategic project generation, evaluation and selection, financial
management of ETC projects, first level control, information and
communication.
BG 2005/017-455.01.04 – “Technical Assistance and Project Preparation
Facility (PPF) to Bulgaria-Romania Cross-border Co-operation Programme”
The general objective of this project was to support the Bulgarian central and
local authorities to ensure efficient, effective and transparent management of
the CBC programme and future programmes after 2006 and to provide
institutional building to central and local bodies in order to implement cross-
border programmes including EU Structural Funds financing.
The specific project purposes were: to improve the CBC capacity of central
authorities, intermediate and local bodies including the future EU Structural
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Annual Implementation Report 2008 for the Romania-Bulgaria CBC Programme 2007-2013
Funds (ERDF) as well as to potential final beneficiaries in the Bulgarian-
Romanian border region and to ensure an effective technical preparation of
projects (project pipeline) within cross-border co-operation programmes
including future actions to be financed under the EU Structural Funds.
Implementation period: 01.12.2007-30.11.2008
The final beneficiaries of this project – the local Bulgarian potential applicants
of the RO-BG CBC Programme 2007-2013 in the eligible area – received technical
support by the TA team for this PPF in terms of partial development or full
project preparation of 20 project ideas.
5.8 Problems encountered and measures taken to overcome them
1) The forecast of expenditure made for 2008 and approved by the
programme JMC was overestimated
By the end of 2008 it was revealed that some overestimations occur while
drawing the technical assistance budgets for 2008. Some of the activities were
covered by other financing sources, while some of them were just not
accomplished in 2008 because of delays in the implementation schedule or
because the financing sources were missing until the reimbursement by the
programme.
The funds from technical assistance which were not spent in 2008 will be
reallocated to the technical assistance of the programme and will be used in the
next years.
2) Insufficient JTS staff during 2008
Some activities delegated to the JTS could not be implemented before the
setting-up of the secretariat, even if some ROC Calarasi staff were involved in
activities related to the programme. In this case, the MA and NA performed most
of the activities delegated to the JTS until the staff was employed in December
2008 and even after this date since the number of operational staff within JTS
was insufficient in order to perform all the activities delegated.
6. Information and communication
In 2008, the Managing Authority for the Romania-Bulgaria CBC Programme 2007-
2013 contracted various services in order to contribute to the implementation of
the Annual Communication Plan, financed from the Priority Axis 4, Technical
Assistance, key area of intervention 2, “Support for the communication and
information of the Programme”.
The general objectives, according to the Annual Communication Plan, were:
to support the successful implementation of the programme by ensuring
effective communication system (measures, channels, targeted messages
to all identified targets);
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Annual Implementation Report 2008 for the Romania-Bulgaria CBC Programme 2007-2013
to increase public awareness regarding the existence of the RO-BG
Programme, its aims, priorities, financial support provided, estimated
economic and social impact;
to increase the knowledge of the potential beneficiaries of the Romania-
Bulgaria Programme implementation framework/arrangements, eligibility
criteria and selection mechanism for applications submitted for financing
to ensure transparency for the target groups of the programme, in order
to raise the level of interest in Funds for a better absorption in the
eligible areas;
to increase the level of trust of the general public in the institutions
managing the RO-BG Programme;
to increase the visibility of the RO-BG Programme and of the MA and JTS,
at national and regional level, with the implementation of the
Programme;
to promote the social and economic impact of Community funds to the
general public.
6.1. Information and Communication events
Official kick-off conference for the Cross Border Cooperation Programme
Romania-Bulgaria 2007-2013 + press conference
Date & Location: Călăraşi – February 19, 2008
Target groups: potential beneficiaries of the Romania-Bulgaria Cross Border
Cooperation Programme 2007-2013, decision-makers, representatives of the
European Commission, National Authority, Managing Authority and Audit
Authority, officials and experts of the county councils and mayoralties in the
eligible area, of Regional Development Agencies, of the Authority for the
Coordination of Structural Instruments, of the Sectoral Operational
Programmes, representatives of the civil society, mass-media.
Financing source: Technical Assistance of the Programme
Short description: 140 persons took part in the event, more than estimated (80
persons). The conference was opened by the minister of Development, Public
Works and Housing Mr. László BORBÉLY. The event continued with the message
of the Bulgarian deputy minister of the Regional Development and Public Works,
Mrs. Iskra MIHAYLOVA. Mr. Colin Wolfe, Head of Unit within DG Regio delivered
EC message appreciating the real joint activity between the Managing Authority
in Romania and the National Authority in Bulgaria. The president of the county
council in Călăraşi and the vice-governor of Pleven expressed their confidence in
the good implementation of the programme.
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Annual Implementation Report 2008 for the Romania-Bulgaria CBC Programme 2007-2013
After the official speeches, a press conference was organized and the two
ministers together with the EC Head of Unit answered journalists’ questions on
joint projects between the two states.
Media was represented by 15 Romanian journalists and 9 Bulgarian journalists
(see Annex 2).
Seven seminars for the potential beneficiaries of the Romania-Bulgaria Cross
Border Cooperation Programme 2007-2013 meant to launch the first call for
proposals
Date & Location: towns in the eligible area of the Programme:
Slatina – June 24, 2008
Călăraşi – June 25, 2008
Constanţa – June 26, 2008
Giurgiu – July 1, 2008
Razgrad - July 2, 2008
Veliko Tarnovo – July 3, 2008
Montana - July 4, 2008
Target groups: The participants were both Romanian and Bulgarians, from the
eligible area of the Programme.
The first three seminars, respectively those organized in Slatina, Călăraşi and
Constanţa, addressed to the following target groups: potential beneficiaries in
Romania and Bulgaria (county councils, district administration in Bulgaria, other
institutions of the local public administration, NGOs, local associations, Regional
Development Agencies, county development agencies, chambers of commerce
and industry, universities, research institutes, mayoralties, cross-border
associations) and representatives of the local media in the counties that hosted
the events.
The seminar in Giurgiu addressed exclusively the potential beneficiaries at
central level in Romania and Bulgaria; even if their headquarters are outside the
eligible area of the programme, they may contribute to the development of the
Romanian-Bulgarian cross-border area by the activity they develop. The
journalists in Giurgiu also participated in the event.
Financing source: Technical Assistance of the Programme
Short description: The seminars had a practical and interactive character,
representing also an opportunity to create and strengthen partnership and to
discuss the most technical aspects from the Applicant Pack. Examples of good
practices from the previous programming period and from PHARE CBC on the
Romanian and Bulgarian border were presented to the participants.
The concept, common for all 4 seminars, divided a seminar as follows:
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Annual Implementation Report 2008 for the Romania-Bulgaria CBC Programme 2007-2013
opening speeches from the local public officials,
presentation of PHARE CBC Romania-Bulgaria experience
general presentation of the Romania-Bulgaria Cross Border Cooperation
Programme 2007-2013,
presentation of Romania-Bulgaria Cross Border Cooperation Programme
2007-2013 brand
About 420 participants attended these seminars.
30 articles were issued by representatives of media in Romania and Bulgaria
participating in these events (articles in local and regional newspapers,
interviews and news on radio and TV local channels – see also Annex 2).
The conclusions of these seminars showed that people, both potential
beneficiaries and media, are interested in the Programme. At the same time,
there is a big need for technical information to be sent to the potential
beneficiaries. People were interested in knowing how other projects on other
cooperation programmes developed.
Official kick-off conference for the Cross Border Cooperation Programme
Romania - Bulgaria 2007-2013 on Bulgarian territory + press-conference
Location: Pleven
Date: September 30, 2008
Target groups: potential beneficiaries of the Programme, mass-media, experts
at European level, bodies involved in the management and implementation of
the Programme
Financing source: the own budget of the Ministry of Regional Development and
Public Works, Bulgaria
Short description: The conference marked the official launching of an
extremely important Programme for Bulgaria and Romania, the first bilateral
Programme financed from Structural Funds, of which the two countries benefit
due to their simultaneous accession to the European Union on January 1st, 2007.
The event promoted the first and the second calls for proposals.
Approximately 60 participants attended the event;
Three workshops for the stakeholders of the Cross Border Cooperation
Programme Romania-Bulgaria 2007-2013
Date & Location: Montana (December 15th, 2008); Pleven (December 16th,
2008), Veliko Tarnovo (December 17th, 2008).
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Annual Implementation Report 2008 for the Romania-Bulgaria CBC Programme 2007-2013
Target groups: potential beneficiaries of the Cross Border Cooperation
Programme Romania-Bulgaria 2007-2013, mass-media, bodies involved in the
management and implementation of the Programme
Financing source: the own budget of the Ministry of Regional Development and
Public Works, Bulgaria
Short description: The seminars presented the Cross Border Cooperation
Programme Romania-Bulgaria 2007-2013 for the potential beneficiaries in the
eligible area of the Programme, as well as the Applicant’s guide for the first and
the second calls for proposals. The participants were also informed about the
way in which the application form must be filled in so that there were as many
as possible good projects accepted for financing.
Approximately 180 participants attended all workshops.
6.2. Information materials
Romania-Bulgaria Cross Border Cooperation Programme 2007-2013
Target groups: potential applicants/applicants, potential beneficiaries of the
Romania-Bulgaria Cross Border Cooperation Programme 2007-2013, mass-media,
bodies involved in the management and implementation of the programme.
Financing source: Technical Assistance of the Programme
Quantity: 500 pcs.
Short description: The brochure is split into two parts, half in Romanian, half in
Bulgarian, containing the progress that the programme registered during the
year of 2008. The brochure is written in a very simple language with clear
messages to people it addresses to. The contents includes a Forward, the role of
the Managing Authority, of the National Authority and of the Joint Technical
Secretariat, the steps that should be followed in order to receive funding,
information about the already launched calls for proposals, a list of questions
from the potential beneficiaries and answers from the experts, a list of errors
that should be avoided when developing a project proposal, examples of
projects from other cooperation programmes, contacts of the structure
managing the programme.
The brochure was distributed during the meetings with potential
applicants/applicants, during some information days organized by the JTS during
the first half of 2009.
Leaflet presenting the 2nd call for proposals
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Annual Implementation Report 2008 for the Romania-Bulgaria CBC Programme 2007-2013
Target groups: potential applicants/applicants, potential beneficiaries of the
Romania-Bulgaria Cross Border Cooperation Programme 2007-2013, mass-media,
bodies involved in the management and implementation of the programme.
Financing source: Technical Assistance of the Programme
Quantity: 1000 pcs. in Romanian, 1000 pcs. in Bulgarian
Short description: The leaflet was designed in an attractive way for the
addressees, containing the most important details about the 2nd call for
proposals, mainly: eligible activities, available budget per priority axis, eligible
applicants, eligible area of the programme, important aspects to be considered
when developing a project proposal, intermediate deadline for submitting the
projects and contacts of the structures managing the RO-BG Programme.
The brochure was distributed during the meetings with potential
applicants/applicants, during some information days organized by the JTS during
the first half of 2009.
All the publications are available in electronic format on the programme web
page, www.cbcromaniabulgaria.eu and in Annex 3 to the present report.
6.3. Electronic channels for information and communication
www.cbcromaniabulgaria.eu
Target groups: potential beneficiaries of the Romania-Bulgaria Cross Border
Cooperation Programme 2007-2013, mass-media, bodies involved in the
management and implementation of the programme.
Financing source: PHARE Awareness Campaign for the Regional Operational
Programme, RO 2004/016-772.04.03.01.03.05
Short description: The web page has been functional starting 2007. During the
year of 2008 the web page was updated continuously with new information:
documents, news, events, useful announcements for the applicants, information
about the calls for proposals, the list of the approved projects, a list of FAQ etc.
From the mere existence of the web page to May 2009, 80 possible partners
registered on the web page and 33.000 visitors accessed this web page.
The Managing Authority issued 12 press releases which were published on the
web page and sent to the journalists.
www.infocooperare.ro
Target groups: potential beneficiaries of the ETC Programmes, mass-media,
bodies involved in the management and implementation of the programme.
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Financing source: the own budget of the Ministry of Development, Public Works
and Housing, Romania
Short description: the web page presents the ETC programmes in Romania, both
with EU member and non-member states, the structures involved in their
management and implementation, relevant implementation documents,
information about the calls for proposals, partners search, news and others. One
page in this section is dedicated to the RO-BG Programme, containing
information taken from the official web page of the programme.
www.mdrl.ro, sections:
- Territorial Cooperation Programmes and
- European Territorial Cooperation Objective Beneficiaries Support
Portal
This is the official website of the Ministry of Regional Development and Housing
in Romania.
Target groups: potential beneficiaries of regional and territorial development
programmes, mass-media, bodies involved in the management and
implementation of the programme and other interested audiences.
Financing source: the own budget of the Ministry of Regional Development and
Housing, Romania
Short description: The web page presents the activity of the MRDH regarding
regional and territorial development, including the ETC programmes in Romania,
both with EU member and non-member states, the structures involved in their
management and implementation, relevant implementation documents,
information about the calls for proposals, partners search, news and others.
The support portal addresses potential beneficiaries in search for funds under
the 2007-2013 European Territorial Cooperation Objective Programmes available
in Romania: Romania-Bulgaria CBC Programme, Hungary-Romania CBC
Programme, Romania-Serbia IPA CBC Programme, Romania-Ukraine-Moldova ENPI
CBC Programme, Hungary-Slovakia-Romania-Ukraine ENPI CBC Programme, Black
Sea ENPI CBC Programme, Transnational Cooperation in South-East Europe
Programme, INTERREG IV C Programme, URBACT II Programme and ESPON 2013
Programme. The registered participants have the opportunity to start up
dialogues with potential partners and programme stakeholders.
www.bgregio.eu, section Cross-border cooperation;
This is the official website of the Directorate General “Programming of Regional
Development” at MRDPW, Bulgaria
Target groups: potential beneficiaries of regional and territorial development
programmes, mass-media, bodies involved in the management and
implementation of the programme and other interested audiences.
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Financing source: the own budget of the Ministry of Regional Development and
Public Works, Bulgaria
Short description: The web page presents the activity of the MRDPW regarding
regional and territorial development, including the ETC programmes in Bulgaria,
both with EU member and non-member states, the structures involved in their
management and implementation, relevant implementation documents,
information about the calls for proposals, partners search, news and others.
The support portal addresses potential beneficiaries in search for funds under
the 2007-2013 European Territorial Cooperation Objective Programmes available
in Bulgaria: Romania-Bulgaria CBC Programme, Greece-Bulgaria ETC Programme,
Bulgaria-Serbia IPA CBC Programme, Bulgaria-FYROM IPA CBC Programme,
Bulgaria-Turkey IPA CBC Programme, Black Sea ENPI CBC Programme, Trans-
national Cooperation in South-East Europe Programme, INTERREG IV C
Programme, URBACT II Programme and ESPON 2013 Programme. The registered
participants have the opportunity to start up dialogues with potential partners
and programme stakeholders.
www.mrrb.government.bg, section Legal acts – Strategies, programmes and
plans (BG)
This is the official website of the Ministry of Regional Development and Public
Works in Bulgaria. It provides the same information as on www.bgregio.eu
www.eufunds.bg
Target groups are: business, NGOs, local athorities, media, public
administration and others.
Short description: Existing on the website of the Ministry of Finance (MoF),
www.eufunds.bg portal is designed to function as a single Internet information
resource that publishes information for the management of the Structural and
Cohesion Fund in Bulgaria.
The goal is increased public awareness of the management of EU funds, of
structural instruments to conduct the Union's regional policy and promote the
participation of civil society in the process of absorption of EU funds. On the
website are published the new regulations and programme documents in the
field of cohesion policy - EU regulations on the Structural Funds regulations,
strategic programming documents, procedural manuals, guidelines and policies,
best practices related to the management of EU funds and etc.
Ministry of Finance is responsible for overall maintenance of the portal.
6.4. Promotion materials
Target groups: potential beneficiaries of the Romania-Bulgaria Cross Border
Cooperation Programme 2007-2013, decision-makers, representatives of the
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Annual Implementation Report 2008 for the Romania-Bulgaria CBC Programme 2007-2013
European Commission, National Authority, Managing Authority and Audit
Authority, officials and experts of the county councils and mayoralties in the
eligible area, of Regional Development Agencies, of the Authority for the
Coordination of Structural Instruments, of the Sectoral Operational
Programmes, representatives of the civil society, mass-media.
Financing source: Technical Assistance of the Programme
Types and quantities of the materials produced: The following materials were
purchased and branded with the visual identity elements of the Programme and
delivered to the target groups:
Pen –1200 pcs.
Notebook – 1000 pcs.
Folder – 1000 pcs.
Business cards – 8500 pcs.
Agenda – 1200 pcs.
Calendar – 1000 pcs.
Laptop bag – 100 pcs.
Present bag – 1000 pcs.
USB stick – 500 pcs.
Additionally, the National Authority in Bulgaria contracted services in order to
produce and personalize with visual identity elements of the Programme the
following promotional materials:
1000 pcs. of cardboard folders
1000 pcs. of paper folders for 50 sheets
The financing source for these was the own budget of the Ministry of Regional
Development and Public Works, Bulgaria.
6.5. Media campaign
Target groups: general public in the eligible area of the Programme, in
Romania and Bulgaria
Financing source: Technical Assistance of the Programme
Short description: The Managing Authority organized one media campaign for
the general public in the eligible area on the Romanian border on three media
channels: TV, newspapers and Internet. For each channel a specific promotion
product was used: a TV spot, a press ad and an electronic banner. The press ad
and the electronic banner were produced especially for this campaign. While the
TV spot and the electronic banner promoted the existence of the Programme,
the press ad gave information about the launching of the first call for proposals.
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Annual Implementation Report 2008 for the Romania-Bulgaria CBC Programme 2007-2013
The TV campaign was on air for 4 weeks, the newspapers campaign was
published for 4 weeks and the Internet campaign lasted during 2 months. In
Romania, the channels used were:
9 local/regional/national TV channels
Teleorman (Antena 1 Alexandria), Constanţa (Antena 1 Constanţa, PRO TV
Constanţa, TV Neptun), Călăraşi (Antena 1 Călăraşi), Mehedinţi (Datina TV
Mehedinţi), Olt, Dolj (TV Oltenia), Giurgiu (Muntenia TV Giurgiu), Olt (PRO TV
Slatina), a national TV station - The Money Channel
7 local and regional newspapers
Dolj, Olt Mehedinţi (Cuvântul Libertăţii), Mehedinţi (Datina), Olt (Gazeta de
Olt), Constanţa (Cuget Liber), Teleorman (Gazeta de Teleorman), Giurgiu
(Giurgiuveanul), Călăraşi (Observator de Călăraşi)
most 11 accessed internet web pages related to the news,
economic, legal and administrative field
(www.finantare.ro, www.hotnews.ro, www.infoturism.ro, www.evz.ro,
www.realitatea.net, www.capital.ro, www.avocatnet.ro, www.euractiv.ro,
www.primariaonline.ro, www.ziuact.ro, www.clubafaceri.ro, www.zf.ro)
As well as for the media campaign in Romania, specific promotion products were
produced for the Bulgarian campaign: the TV spot, the press ad and the
electronic banner were produced also in Bulgarian version. Therefore, the
National Authority organized, in the Bulgarian eligible area of the Programme, a
media campaign addressing the same general public:
8 local/regional/national TV channels
Vidin (TV Vidin, Finti G), Vratsa (TV Vratsa), Montana (Mont 7, Mont +), Veliko
Tarnovo (BNT Sever), Pleven (Evrokom), Ruse (BNT Sever), Dobrich (Dobrudja
Kabel), Silistra (BNT Sever), Razgrad (BNT Sever)
11 local/regional/national radio broadcasting stations
Badin, Veselina, Hot FM, Berkk, Favorit – Veliko Tarnovo, Fokus – Pleven, Tempo,
Dobrudja, Bravo, Menes, Radio Max FM
11 local/regional/national newspapers
Zlatiya (Vidin, Vratsa, Montana), Nie, Konkurent, Mont Pres, Yantra Dnes,
Posoki, Utro, Bryag, Dobrudjanska Tribuna, Silistrenski Bryag, Gledishta
The financing source for the media campaign contracted by the National
Authority in Bulgaria was the own budget of the Ministry of Regional
Development and Public Works, Bulgaria
5 internet web pages
www.dnes.bg ; www.lex.bg ; www.capital.bg ; www.pazari.dnevnik.bg ;
www.mediapool.bg
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Annual Implementation Report 2008 for the Romania-Bulgaria CBC Programme 2007-2013
See also Annex 4 to the present report.
Preparation and installing billboards for the promotion of the CBC Romania –
Bulgaria Programme 2007-2013
Target groups: potential beneficiaries of the Cross Border Cooperation
Programme Romania-Bulgaria 2007-2013, mass-media, bodies involved in the
management and implementation of the programme.
Financing source: the own budget of the Ministry of Regional Development and
Public Works, Bulgaria
Quantity: 9 billboards in the 9 district centres displayed on the District
Administration premises
Short description: The billboards represent an advertisement product with
visual identity elements for the promotion of the CBC Programme Romania –
Bulgaria 2007-2013
See also Annex 4 to the present report.
6.6 Other information and promotion activities
Electronic and phone communication
The Managing Authority received and answered to about 130 emails from
potential applicants. At the same time, a monthly average of 10 requests were
received and answered by phone.
5 important notices were sent to the mailing list with the potential applicants
and beneficiaries regarding the launching of the first call for proposals, the
electronic publication of the Applicant Pack, invitation to a forum organized by
the Bulgarian National Authority, the launching of the second call for proposals,
useful information about work contracts.
15 Romanian web pages belonging to newspapers and news agencies published
news about the programme and its calls.
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Annual Implementation Report 2008 for the Romania-Bulgaria CBC Programme 2007-2013
ANNEX 1 - Eligible Area
The Romania – Bulgaria Cross-Border Cooperation Operational Programme
concerns an area of 71,930 Km2 and an overall population of over 5 million
people.
The eligible area includes, on the Romanian side, the counties (NUTS III) of
Mehedinti, Dolj, Olt, Teleorman, Giurgiu, Calarasi and Constanta, and, on the
Bulgarian side, the districts (NUTS III) of Vidin, Vratsa, Montana, Veliko Tarnovo,
Pleven, Ruse, Dobrich and Silistra. In addition, under the flexibility provisions of
the ERDF Regulation, the Bulgarian district of Razgrad is also eligible.
The map of eligible area is shown in the figure below:
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Annual Implementation Report 2008 for the Romania-Bulgaria CBC Programme 2007-2013
ANNEX 2 – Media articles promoting the programme – selection
See document attached
ANNEX 3 – Publications
See documents attached
ANNEX 4 – Media campaign
See attachments
48
