Romania
Programmes summaries :
"Operational Programme Technical Assistance"
1. Romania
2. "Operational Programme Technical Assistance"
Programme under Convergence objective co-funded by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
3. On July 11, the European Commission approved the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Operational programme for Romania for the period 2007-2013, entitled "Operational Programme Technical Assistance ". The total budget of the programme is around EUR 213 million and the Community assistance amounts to EUR 170 million (approximately 0,86 % of the total EU money invested in Romania under Cohesion policy 2007-2013).
4. The purpose and aim of the EU investment
The objective of the Technical Assistance Operational Programme (OPTA) at national level is to ensure support for the coordination and the implementation of the regional funds in Romania, to guarantee a reliable managing and monitoring system and to ensure a coordinated delivery of general messages related to Structural Instruments. All these objectives reflect in the overall absorption and effective use of the Structural Instruments interventions.
The OPTA is aiming at ensuring that the implementation of the Structural Instruments in Romania meets the principles and rules on partnership, programming, evaluation, management, including financial management, monitoring and control on the basis of responsibilities shared between the Member States and the Commission, in compliance with the provisions laid down in the General Regulation. The programme will also support the implementation of the priorities laid down in the Community Strategic Guidelines for Cohesion Policy.
5. The expected impact of the investment
Together with the other operational programmes (OPs), the OPTA will substantially contribute to the achievement of the thematic priority established in the National Strategic Reference Framework, namely “Building Effective Administrative Capacity”.
As a common tool for all actors involved throughout the entire implementation and monitoring process of Structural Instruments, the Single Management Information System (SMIS) will be supported by the OPTA. The system will certainly need further development and maintenance, to cover the management and monitoring needs derived from the implementation of Structural Instruments.
The programme will also allow a multiplication at national level of particular issues and practices. While the project pipeline development support is mainly the focus of the other OPs, OPTA will complement their efforts by ensuring networking and exchanges of information and best practices focused on this issue.
6. Priority axes
According to the objective of creating the best conditions for EU funds adequate absorption and to be as much operational and clear as possible, the programme will be organized into three Priority Axes:
Priority axis 1: Support to the implementation of Structural Instruments and coordination of programmes
The objective of this Priority Axis is to strengthen the overall coordination of Structural Instruments implementation and building appropriate capacities by actions aimed at setting a common level of knowledge and experience among different actors.
In order to ensure an efficient and effective implementation of the Structural Instruments, it is necessary to co-ordinate all actions undertaken in relation to the management, monitoring and control of the Operational Programmes. Whereas the technical assistance priority axes in the other Romanian programmes will provide support for the management of specific OPs, the OPTA will provide common standards and guidelines and will enable exchange of experience and streamlining of good practices.
Priority axis 2: Further development and support for the functioning of the Single Management Information System (SMIS)
The objective of this Priority Axis is to ensure SMIS smooth operation, organisational and functional development and the ongoing expansion of the system so as to allow prompt access to data in all institutions involved in the process of Structural Instruments and to contribute to a sound and effective management of the operational programmes.
The objective of setting up the SMIS is to guarantee a sound effective management of European programmes, in compliance with national and European regulations. This instrument must be operational during the whole period of programmes implementation, meaning 10 years including closing time. The experience gained during this period will be capitalized for the development of the IT system in the next programming period.
Priority axis 3: Dissemination of information and promotion of Structural Instruments
The objective of this Priority Axis is to ensure a coordinated delivery of general messages related to regional funds at national level and to implement the communication action plan of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, in line with the National Communication Strategy for the Structural Instruments.
This third Priority Axis is mainly dedicated to the general public but it also targets potential beneficiaries. Its interventions are complementary to the actions described within the first Priority Axis in terms of national coordination of the communication and of support to the trainings organized in this field.
7. Managing authority: Ministry of Economy and Finance – Managing Authority for the OP TA (at the level of directorate general)
Contact details:
Director General
Livia Chirita
17 Apolodor Street, Sector 5, Bucharest, Romania
Tel: +40 21 302 52 00
Fax: +40 21 302 52 64
Email: livia.chirita@mfinante.ro
Web address: www.mfinante.ro
"Operational Programme Environment"
1. Romania
2. "Operational Programme Environment"
Programme under Convergence objective co-funded by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Cohesion Fund (CF)
3. On July 12, the European Commission approved the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Cohesion Fund (CF) Operational programme for Romania for the period 2007-2013, entitled "Operational Programme Environment" (SOP ENV). The total budget of the programme is around EUR 5,6 billion and the Community assistance amounts to EUR 4,5 billion (approximately 23 % of the total EU money invested in Romania under Cohesion policy 2007-2013).
4. The purpose and aim of the EU investment
The global objective of the programme is to improve the living standards and the environment, focusing in particular on meeting the European legislation on the environment.
This objective should be seen in the light of the unprecedented increase in disparities within the enlarged Union and of the long-term nature of the efforts that will be needed for Romania to reduce them. Having in view that the needs for direct environmental investments to comply with the EU legislation are particularly high, Romanian authorities opted to create a specific OP focused on environmental infrastructure, but dealing with other environmental issues as well.
5. The expected impact of the investment
The SOP ENV strategy for 2007-2013 focuses on investments and collective services which are required to increase long term competitiveness, job creation and sustainable development. Basic infrastructures and services will need to be created, upgraded and expanded in order to open up regional and local economies, set up an effective business support framework and exploit opportunities afforded by the European Market. Establishment of effective water and environmental infrastructure will create potential for new jobs (construction, services, SMEs etc) and in a way reduce the workforce migration giving possibilities for population to develop businesses or to attract other investors by using also local competitive advantages (cheaper resources, valuable natural areas etc.).
6. Priority axes
In order to achieve the objectives of the Operational Programme on Environment, it is foreseen to allocate the relevant EU and State funds towards the implementation of the following priority axes:
Priority axis 1: Extension and modernization of water and wastewater systems
This priority addresses one of the main weaknesses of the water and wastewater systems reflecting poor rate of connection of the communities to basic water and wastewater infrastructure (52%), poor quality of drinking water and lack of sewerage collection and treatment facilities in some areas. As well, it addresses the issue of limited efficiency of public water services mainly due to a large number of small operators, many of them dealing with different other activities (public transport, urban heating, local electricity, etc.) and due to long term under-investments, poor management, lack of long term development strategies and business plans, etc.
Priority axis 2: Development of integrated waste management systems and rehabilitation of historically contaminated sites
This priority addresses a critical environmental aspect across Romania – the pollution of water, soil, air caused by inadequate waste disposal. The inadequate waste management practices inherited from the past and still in place in Romania, have led to a large number of non-compliant waste landfills and to the inadequate disposal of considerable quantities of waste that continue to be produced. The most frequent method of waste disposal remains landfilling. The selective collection is done only in certain pilot centres and most of the recyclable materials are lost by landfilling. Only a small proportion is used as a secondary raw material and recycled.
Priority axis 3: Reduction of pollution and mitigation of climate change by restructuring and renovating urban heating systems towards energy efficiency targets in the identified local environmental hotspots
Actions under the programme envisage reduction of the negative impact on the environment and human health in those urban agglomerations that suffer most from pollution by old urban heating systems. Interventions will be based on a medium/long term local heating strategy. The main aim is to promote the efficient use of the non-renewable energy sources and, where possible, the use of renewable or less polluting sources of energy for urban heating plants.
Particular attention will be given to activities for upgrading of urban heating systems, which will lead to significant reduction of SO2, NOx and dust emissions in several environmental hotspots.
Priority axis 4: Implementation of adequate management systems for nature protection
The purpose of this priority axis is to support biodiversity and nature conservation through development of an adequate management framework for protected areas, including Natura 2000 sites. This includes development of infrastructure for protected areas as well as maintenance, operation and monitoring activities. Raising public awareness for environmental protection and nature-friendly behaviour – as basis for sustainable development – is also a key element considered.
Particular support is envisaged for the preparation and implementation of management plans. This includes sections of spatial framework, inventory (natural features and socio-economic information), planning and management tools, including definition of environmental units and their evaluation, proposed zoning (reserve, priority for conservation, restricted use and general use), management objectives and guidelines. The latter provides for relevant legislation, human activities compatible with conservation, habitat improvement measures.
Priority axis 5: Implementation of adequate infrastructure of natural risk prevention in most vulnerable areas
Support under this priority axis will focus on investments providing for adequate level of protection against floods by improvements of the economic, environmental, ecological and conservation status in the most vulnerable flood areas. The target areas for intervention will be selected according to the relevant strategies on national and regional level.
Support will be also given for the protection and rehabilitation of the southern Romanian Black Sea shore, aiming at stopping the coastal erosion and protecting the assets value of coastal zone and the safety of housing in the area.
Priority axis 6: Technical Assistance
The aim of this priority is to ensure an efficient implementation of the entire OP ENV. It will contribute to the increase of absorption capacity of EU funds by supporting projects identification, strengthening the administrative capacity of the Managing Authority and Intermediate Bodies, financing the activities regarding monitoring, evaluation and control for projects, as well as information and publicity actions for OP ENV. A special attention will be paid in supporting projects identification to exchange information with the European research community in environmental field and transfer of “state of the art” knowledge. The studies developed for supporting project identification will fully consider the available data on innovation and friendly environmental technologies.
7. Managing authority: Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development – Managing Authority for the OP ENV (at the level of directorate general)
Contact details:
Director General
Silviu Stoica
12 Libertatii Blvd., Sector 5, Bucharest, Romania
Tel: +40 21 300 77 77
Fax: +40 21 316 07 78
Web address: www.mmediu.ro
"Operational Programme Transport"
1. Romania
2. "Operational Programme Transport"
Programme under Convergence objective co-funded by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Cohesion Fund (CF)
3. On July 12, the European Commission approved the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Cohesion Fund (CF) Operational programme for Romania for the period 2007-2013, entitled "Operational Programme Transport" (SOPT). The total budget of the programme is around EUR 5.7 billion and the Community assistance amounts to EUR 4.56 billion (approximately 23 % of the total EU money invested in Romania under Cohesion policy 2007-2013).
4. The purpose and aim of the EU investment
The main objective of the transport sector is to provide an adequately developed, modern and sustainable infrastructure, appropriately maintained, facilitating the safe and efficient movement of persons and goods nationally and within Europe and contributing positively and significantly to the economic development of Romania.
The country needs connections with the other European countries. In addition, high transport costs arise due to lack of proper infrastructure and/or infrastructure in poor condition within the Romanian territory. This programme aims at reducing travel times and thus the costs to access isolated areas within Romania and at ensuring proper connections to the rest of Europe through the main Trans-European Networks axes (TEN-T).
5. The expected impact of the investment
At a global level, the overall transport strategy is put in practice through the use of "soft" and "hard" objectives. Soft objectives refer to the transposition of the European legislation in the field of transport into Romanian legislation, as well as to the technical assistance for the management and implementation systems, while the hard objectives refer to actual investment in the transport infrastructure (especially TEN-T priority projects).
This development will be done with an approach which is compatible with sustainable development and tackles the issue of climate change. The development of Romanian TEN-T network will have a positive impact on the environment, by reducing transport generated CO2 emissions. This is valid particularly in the case of road infrastructure, since increased capacity will lead to less congestion and reduced time travel thus helping reduce emissions. In addition, the programme favours those modes of transport that are the least harmful to the environment, such as rail, inter-modal transport and the inland waterways and it is looking to maintain, if not improve, the current market share of these modes. An attention will be given to the connections with renewable energy sources in order to be able to reduce the environmental impact of energy consumption.
6. Priority axes
In order to achieve the objective of the SOPT it is proposed to allocate the relevant EU and State funds for transport towards the implementation of the following priority axes:
Priority axis 1: Modernization and development of TEN-T priority axes aiming at sustainable transport system integrated with EU transport networks
This priority axis aims at enhancing the territorial cohesion between Romania and the EU member states, by significantly reducing travel times with improved safety and quality of service to principal destinations, domestically as well as Europe-wide, for both passengers and freight, along the TEN-T priority axes 7, 18 and 22 (see http://ec.europa.eu/ten/transport/maps/axes_en.htm).
The objective will be achieved through the development and upgrading of motorways and railway, and water transport infrastructure, with a view to improving the quality, efficiency and speed of transport services, door-to-door, and increasing volumes of freight and passenger traffic from eastern to western Romania.
Priority axis 2: Modernization and development of the national transport infrastructure outside the TEN-T priority axes aiming at sustainable national transport system
This priority axis aims at modernizing and developing road, rail, water transport and air transport infrastructure located on the national network outside the TEN-T priority axes and promotes appropriate balance among modes of transport.
Its objective is to increase passenger and freight traffic with higher degree of safety, speed and quality of service including rail inter-operability; in light of the cohesion policy’s objective of developing secondary network connections.
Priority axis 3: Modernization of transport sector aiming at higher degree of environmental protection, human health and passenger safety
This priority axis aims at implementing the principles of sustainable development of the transport sector in Romania, as per the Cardiff conclusions of the European Council (1998) and the European Strategy for Sustainable Development (Gothenburg 2001). It will promote increased levels of safety, minimize adverse effects on the environment as well as promote inter-modal and combined transport.
Priority axis 4: Technical Assistance
A proper implementation of the structural instruments requires institutional support and strengthening of the administrative capacity in the coming years. This support will come in the form of hiring and training additional personnel in both administrative duties and technical aspects of transport project management for the Ministry of Transport and for the beneficiaries. It will also promote the understanding and appreciation of the role and purpose of the EU's contribution in developing the transport infrastructure of Romania.
7. Managing authority: Ministry of Transport – Managing Authority for the OP T (at the level of directorate general)
Contact details:
Director General
Liliana Barna
38 Dinicu Golescu Blvd., Sector 1, Bucharest, Romania
Tel: +40 21 319 61 27
Fax: +40 21 319 61 27
Web address: www.mt.ro
"Regional Operational Programme"
1. Romania
2. "Regional Operational Programme"
Programme under Convergence objective co-funded by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
3. On July 12, the European Commission approved the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Operational programme for Romania for the period 2007-2013, entitled "Regional Operational Programme" (ROP). The total budget of the programme is around EUR 4.38 billion and the Community assistance amounts to EUR 3.7 billion (approximately 19 % of the total EU money invested in Romania under Cohesion policy 2007-2013).
4. The purpose and aim of the EU investment
The overall objective consists in supporting the economic, social, territorially balanced and sustainable development of the Romanian regions, according to their specific needs and resources, focusing on urban growth poles, improving the business environment and basic infrastructure. The Romanian regions, especially the ones lagging behind, could become more attractive places where to live, visit, invest and work.
This objective will be achieved through a differentiated financial allocation by region, according to their level of development and in close coordination with the actions implemented by other operational programmes.
The strategy will give priority to the regions lagging behind and at the same time, a special focus will be given to supporting urban growth poles, which can contribute to a polycentric development of the Romanian territory.
5. The expected impact of the investment
The strategic objective of the programme is therefore:
• The creation of 15.000 new jobs by the end of 2015.
• The reduction of the interregional disparities in the period 2007-2015 in terms of GDP per inhabitant.
It is expected that the implementation of this programme will create better conditions for the economic and social balanced territorial development of all Romanian regions and for urban growth poles able to spread the development.
The ROP will support the promotion of actions, which will improve safety standards, reduce the adverse effects on the environment, mitigate climate change, safeguard transport infrastructures from natural disasters, as well as eliminate dangerous black spots. While individual actions (road improvements) may inevitably tend to increase output of greenhouse gases, other interventions (improvement of public transport, modernization of production facilities, elimination of transport bottlenecks) may tend to reduce them. The overall impact of the programme will be to reduce the energy consumption and gas emissions causing climate change, by using best available techniques.
6. Priority axes
The balanced development of all country’s regions will be achieved through an integrated approach, based on a combination of public investments in the local infrastructure, active policies to stimulate business activities and support for the valorisation of the local resources, by the following priority axes:
Priority axis 1: Support to sustainable development of urban growth poles
This priority axis aims to increase the quality of life and to create new jobs in cities, by rehabilitating the urban infrastructure, improving services, including social services, as well as by developing business support structures and entrepreneurship.
In order to contribute to a balanced territorial development of the country and to avoid the increasing internal disparities, investments will be concentrated in those cities which act as regional and/or local growth poles and spread the development into the surrounding areas, giving priority to growth poles located in regions and counties with lower level of development in terms of GDP and unemployment.
Priority axis 2: Improvement of regional and local transport infrastructure
The aim is to increase the accessibility of the regions and the mobility of population, goods and services, in order to foster sustainable economic development.
Priority axis 3: Improvement of social infrastructure
The objective is to create the premises for better access of the population to essential services, contributing to the achievement of the European objective of economic and social cohesion, by improving infrastructure for health, education, social and public safety in emergency situations.
Priority axis 4: Strengthening the regional and local business environment
This priority axis aims to set up and develop business support structures of regional and local importance, rehabilitate industrial sites and support regional and local entrepreneurial initiatives, in order to facilitate job creation and sustainable economic growth.
Priority axis 5: Sustainable development and promotion of tourism
This priority axis aims mainly to sustainable valorisation and promotion of the cultural heritage and natural resources with tourism potential, as well as to improve the quality of accommodation and leisure tourist infrastructure, in order to increase the regions’ attractiveness, develop the local economies and create new jobs.
Priority axis 6: Technical Assistance
The objective of this priority axis is to provide support for the transparent and efficient implementation of the programme.
7. Managing authority: Ministry of Development, Public Works and Housing – Managing Authority for the ROP (at the level of directorate general)
Contact details:
Director General
Gabriel Friptu
17 Apolodor Street, Sector 5, Bucharest, Romania
Tel: +40 21 301 15 91
Fax: +40 21 301 15 13
Email: gabriel.friptu@mdlpl.ro
Web address: www.mie.ro
"Operational Programme Increase of Economic Competitiveness"
1. Romania
2. "Operational Programme Increase of Economic Competitiveness" Programme under Convergence objective co-funded by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
3. On July 12, the European Commission approved the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Operational programme for Romania for the period 2007-2013, entitled "Operational Programme Increase of Economic Competitiveness". The total budget of the programme is around EUR 3 billion and the Community assistance amounts to EUR 2.5 billion (approximately 12.7% of the total EU money invested in Romania under Cohesion policy 2007-2013).
4. The purpose and aim of the EU investment
The general objective is the increase of Romanian companies’ productivity, in compliance with the principles of sustainable development, and reducing the disparities compared to the average productivity of the European Union. The target is an average annual growth of GDP per employed person by about 5.5%. This will allow Romania to reach approximately 55% of the EU average productivity by 2015.
5. The expected impact of the investment
The funds are expected to boost the creation and the development of enterprises, mainly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), throughout Romanian regions. Their internal management and their access to international markets will be promoted. More than 5 000 jobs are thus expected to be created and it is hoped that the exported turn over will increase by 10% in assisted SMEs. In addition, up to 500 start-ups are expected to be incubated through the JEREMIE initiative (Joint European Resources for Micro to medium Enterprises).
As regards actions dedicated to supporting innovation and Research and Development (R&D), the funds should contribute to increase the private expenditures in that sector, by € 270 million in 2015, but also allow further patent applications to be issued (50). 400 new jobs are also expected to be created in this area.
Regarding Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), the Funds will act both on the supply and demand sides. In particular, attention will be paid to the market failure areas, where the endowment of broadband networks will be promoted. Consequently, it is expected that 5 000 new companies will be connected in those areas. E-government tools will also be developed, with up to one million registered users expected.
Lastly, the promotion of renewable energy sources (RES) and energy efficiency is expected to lead to 30% of reduction of polluting emissions in the assisted enterprises, whereas 120 MW is expected to be installed in RES production.
6. Priority axes
Taking into account the possibilities for improvement of the competitive position of the Romanian enterprises, the following priority axes have been identified:
Priority axis 1: An innovative and eco-efficient productive system
The objectives under this priority axis reside in the consolidation and sustainable growth of the Romanian productive sector and the establishment of a favourable environment for enterprises’ development. It is necessary to transpose the EU legislation into national legislation on small and medium-sized enterprises.
Priority axis 2: Research, Technological Development and Innovation for competitiveness
This priority axis focuses on several issues meant to contribute to the following aims: the increase of research capacity by investing in the development of R&D infrastructure and attracting young researchers and high-level specialists both in R&D institutions (universities and research institutes) and in companies with research departments; the strengthening of knowledge supply from universities and research institutes; the stimulation of the technology transfer based on the cooperation between R&D institutions and enterprises; the stimulation of innovation demand of enterprises; the creation and reinforcement of high-tech firms and the development of poles of excellence and competitiveness.
Priority axis 3: ICT for private and public sectors
The objective is to support the economic competitiveness through increasing the interactions between the public sector, enterprises and citizens by fully exploiting the ICT potential.
The main actions to be carried out in order to achieve this objective address the need to improve the ICT infrastructure in market failure areas (under served rural and small urban areas), to develop and effectively use the electronic public services and to promote a secure and dynamic e–business environment. From this perspective, it will be necessary to introduce and sustain innovative productive systems in the administrative process, in day-to-day life and to develop a competitive market for a new generation of products and services.
Priority axis 4: Increasing energy efficiency and security of supply, in the context of combating climate change
An efficient, flexible, safe and clean energy infrastructure is a necessary precondition for economic development as it boosts productivity, and thus competitiveness. Romania aims to improve energy efficiency and to increase the share of electricity produced from renewable resources in the national gross electricity consumption.
The share of electricity produced from renewable energy resources in the national gross electricity consumption was about 29% in 2004, close to the target of 33% by 2010, but almost entirely in large hydropower plants. Therefore, the gap should be bridged primarily by other renewable sources, in order to avoid a heavy reliance on hydro energy produced in large capacities.
Priority axis 5: Technical Assistance
The objective of this priority axis is to provide support for the programme implementation process and effective use of the Community financial input and national co-financing.
7. Managing authority: Ministry of Economy and Finance –
(at the level of directorate general)
Contact details:
Director General
Catalina Melita
152 Victoriei Street, Sector 1, Bucharest, Romania
Tel: +40 21 202 52 72
Fax: +40 21 202 52 75
Email: catalina_melita@minind.ro
Web address: www.minind.ro