Cross-border
co-operation projects are like cells in a human body. Each of them is a
functioning unit by itself, but only by being interconnected they form a human
body. Only by interacting they provide real added value. Transferring this
picture to the Central Baltic INTERREG IV A Programme 2007-2013 (www.centralbaltic.eu) one could say
that each approved project has undoubtedly a value in itself. But the real value
for the Central Baltic region as a whole can only be achieved by
interconnecting the approved projects from the Southern Finland-Estonia
Sub-programme, the Archipelago and Islands Sub-programme and the Central Baltic
Programme. Only hereby (1+1+1=1) we will be able to develop the Central Baltic
region into a region where people want to live in, travel to and invest. Only
hereby, we will be able to create something like a Central Baltic identity
which according to a poll done during the Showcase Conference of the Programme
on 15 September 2009 in Stockholm
does exist (about 30%) or could exist (about 30%).
And it also
became apparent from the reflections of the Showcase Conference participants
that despite the lively co-operation in the (Central) Baltic Sea region there
still is a need to provide possibilities for people to get to know each other,
to meet and to establish networks as the basis for successful cross-border
co-operation – especially within new co-operation geographies as the Central
Baltic Programme involving partners from Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Sweden and
the Åland Islands.
For cells a
regular blood circulation is vital in order for them to survive. For projects, first
of all it is vital to have innovative ideas to convince the decision makers to
approve their application. But evenly important it is for projects to receive
co-financing throughout their implementation period without which many good
ideas most probably would never become reality. To use again the picture of a
cell in the human body, not for nothing, the process from drafting a project,
implementing and finally closing it is called the “project life cycle”. Despite all the necessary bureaucratic requirements
connected with project applications and several hundred thousands, if not a
million of Euros of co-financing received, cross-border co-operation is about
human beings co-operating to improve our daily life in this wonderful Central
Baltic region.
Dr. Philipp Schwartz
Head of the
Joint Technical Secretariat
Central
Baltic INTERREG IV A Programme 2007-2013
