Poland-Belarus-Ukraine ENI CBC

Description

Please be informed, that based on recommendations received from the European Commission, the Managing Authority of the Programme suspends all payments (advances or refunds) to Belarusian beneficiaries, due to the engagement of the Belarusian authorities in the war against Ukraine.

Please find HERE the official communication of the European Commission on suspension of cross-border cooperation with Belarus.

The Cross-border Cooperation Programme Poland-Belarus-Ukraine for 17 years supports development processes in the borderland of Poland, Belarus and Ukraine by co-financing diverse projects. All projects financed within the Programme are non-profit and contribute to the improvement of the quality of life of inhabitants of eastern Poland and western Ukraine and Belarus.

Each co-financed project shall demonstrate a strong cross-border effect, not only through established partnership between institutions, but above all thanks to the results of the activities and their positive impact on the border area and its inhabitants.

The first Programme edition was carried out in years 2004-2006. At that time, the Programme structure and financing of projects were much more complicated than it is now (in Poland, the costs were covered by the European Regional Development Fund, while the Belarusian and Ukrainian sides benefited from TACIS funds), nevertheless with the total EU financing of 45.8 M EUR, 167 projects were implemented.

Within 2007-2013 edition, the Programme was implemented under the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI).  Its financing from EU budget significantly increased up to over 170 M EUR and using that funds 117 projects were implemented. These were large infrastructure, regular and umbrella projects. They resulted in multiple improvements in sectors and areas such as social infrastructure, healthcare, education, tourism, protection of cultural heritage, security and last but not least border-crossings’ infrastructure and services.

In the programming period 2014-2020, the Programme operates under the framework of the European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI), and responds to national and regional needs and addresses common challenges in a field of environment, culture, public health, safety and security. In terms of the budget, the Programme Poland-Belarus-Ukraine is the largest ENI CBC programme on the EU land borders, with over 170 M EUR granted to 167 projects.

The Programme 2014-2020 Strategy was adopted following the socio-economic analysis, in which common priorities of countries and their regions were identified. It is also based on the experience from the previous programming periods. The Programme Strategy takes into account the opinions of various stakeholders on the common needs and challenges the Programme area is facing. It finally reflects the decisions taken by the representatives of Poland, Belarus and Ukraine in order to focus on the thematic areas in which the participating countries can address common problems and deal with the joint assets.

The ENI Cross-border Cooperation Programme Poland-Belarus-Ukraine 2014-2020 is the document defining most important issues regarding the realization of the Programme, its context, goals and functioning. It defines areas of interest which will be realized thanks to co-financed projects and which are represented by four Thematic Objectives and their priorities.

Thematic objectives and their priorities

HERITAGE
Priority 1.1 Promotion of local culture and history
Priority 1.2 Promotion and preservation of natural heritage

ACCESSIBILITY
Priority 2.1 Improvement and development of transport services and infrastructure
Priority 2.2 Development of ICT infrastructure

SECURITY
Priority 3.1 Support to the development of health protection and social services
Priority 3.2 Addressing common security challenges

BORDERS
Priority 4.1 Support to border efficiency and security
Priority 4.2 Improvement of border management operations, customs and visas procedures.