BREST, 31 March (BelTA) – Brest Oblast specialists demonstrated their achievements in transboundary cooperation at the seminar in Kiev, director of the Brest transboundary information center Yekaterina Kosykh told BelTA.
The international round table to discus the European experience of transboundary cooperation for Ukraine and the Republic of Belarus brought together more than 60 participants, including representatives of ministries, agencies, oblast administrations of near-border regions, NGOs of the two countries. The sides pointed out the importance of joint efforts to plan and implement projects as part of the program of territorial cooperation of the EaP countries (Belarus-Ukraine).
The regions of Brest Oblast and Gomel Oblast bordering Ukraine are now doing their best to prepare and submit joint projects aimed at the resolution of topical issues. The contest of ideas was launched on 20 January. Besides, there was a series of information days and consultations for potential beneficiaries. On Belarus' behalf the event was attended by over 400 people. In particular, such regions of Brest Oblast as Bereza District, Brest District, Drogichin District, Ivanovo District, Malorita District, and such regions of Gomel Oblast as Rogachev District, Buda-Koshelevo District, Vetka District, Zhitkovichi District, Gomel District and Khoiniki District were interested in the program.
In accordance with the information from these regions, potential applicants from Brest Oblast make an emphasis on the projects in tourism, culture, and healthcare; participants from Gomel Oblast are focused on the projects in healthcare, security, and environmental protection. The European Union plans to provide €3.3 million within the framework of the territorial cooperation program Belarus-Ukraine. The amount of one grant can make up from €60,000 to €250,000. Participants can file an application through 19 April.
“Potential beneficiaries of the program have less than a month to submit a project proposal. Even if their projects are not approved, they will accumulate priceless experience which can be useful for the participation in the future program of transboundary cooperation Poland-Belarus-Ukraine 2014-2020. It is expected that the first stage of this even will be launched at the end of 2016 – the beginning of 2017,” the director of the information center noted.
