The role of the European Union Strategy
for the Baltic Sea Region in the use of
European Union structural assistance for
2014-2020
Loreta Maskaliovienė
Ministry of Finance
27 September 2012
The EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region
(EUSBSR) in the context of EU structural
assistance
Communication from the European Commission
concerning the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea
Region of 10 June 2009, p. 11):
The European Social Fund, European Fund for
Regional Development, and Cohesion Fund are
among the key funding sources for the EUSBSR.
Conclusions of the European Council of 29-30
October 2009 (Para. 25):
The EUSBSR might contribute to the economic success
of the region and the enhancement of social and
territorial cohesion.
Contribution of EU structural assistance to
EUSBSR implementation
A philosophical issue by
nature
There is no ONE or SINGLE
correct answer
Role of the EUSBSR in 2014–2020 (I)
Protocol resolution of the Government No. 50 (14 July 2010):
 Reiterates that the implementation of the EUSBSR is based on the
more effective use of existing financial measures;
 Calls for ensuring close linkage of the programming documents
being prepared for the new period (2014–2020) with the
objectives of the EUSBSR and priority areas stipulated in its
action plan;
 Calls for foreseeing the screening criteria of projects intended for
the EUSBSR on all programme levels and giving priority to the
projects contributing to EUSBSR implementation if the project
meets other project requirements as well.
Role of the EUSBSR in 2014–2020 (II)
Report of the European Commission of 22 June 2011 on
EUSBSR implementation:
 Recognises that it is essential to coordinate the available funding
with the strategy with a view to ensuring successful implementation
of the EUSBSR;
 Recommends coordinating the EU Cohesion Policy and other
financial measures with the objectives of the EUSBSR.
Legislative package of EU cohesion policy for 2014-2020
(common provisions for ERDF, ESF, CF, EAFRD, EMFF)
(6 October 2011):
 When the priority areas for cooperation in the Common Strategic
Framework (Art. 11) and Partnership Agreement (Art. 14) are being
determined, macro-regional strategies should be taken into
account where appropriate;
 Action programmes (Art. 87), where appropriate, should stipulate
how the planned interventions will contribute to the
implementation of macro-regional strategies.
Role of the EUSBSR in 2014–2020 (II)
Meeting of the Commission for European Union
Structural Assistance for Lithuania 2014-2020 that
took place on 8 November 2011
examined the ties between the EUSBSR and the financial
measures of the EU in 2014–2020 and decided:
 Documents on the use of EU structural assistance are to be
drawn up with regard to EUSBSR objectives and priorities;
 A priority criterion for the screening of projects intended
for the EUSBSR is to be established;
 The existing monitoring systems for EU financial measures
are to be adapted for the EUSBSR.
National priorities in 2014–2020 : National
Progress Programme
Lithuanian Progress Strategy ‘Lithuania 2030’
Smart society
Smart economy
Smart governance
Culture
Regional development
Societal
development,
science, and
culture
Active and
solidary
society
Progressive growth
Integral
economy
oriented to
high added
value
Environment
conducive
to economic
growth
Sustainable growth
Strategy ‘Europe 2020’
Progressive
public
governance in
line with
public needs
Inclusive growth
National priorities in 2014–2020 and the
EUSBSR
The EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region
Objectives:
 To save the sea, to connect the region, and to increase the
prosperity of the region.
The main priority directions:
 Improving the quality of the environment,
 Eliminating obstacles in the internal market,
 Promoting innovations and R&D,
 Enhancing energy safety and effectiveness;
 Improving of transport;
 Promoting tourism and entrepreneurship;
 Fighting against organised crime;
 Promoting sustainable agriculture, forestry, fishing, etc.
Possible areas for cooperation when
implementing the national priorities (I)
NPP
priority
Objectives
Possible areas of cooperation in the
EUSBSR context
Societal
Encouraging life-long Promoting
international
academic
development,
learning
(students,
lecturers)
mobility,
science,
and
traineeships, qualification improvement;
culture
promoting cooperation between the
scientific institutions of the region
Strengthening
identity, public spirit,
responsibility,
and
cooperation
–
Promoting creativity, Developing creation-based partnerships.
entrepreneurship and
leadership
Promote the creation, Promoting international cooperation
dissemination and use between scientists and researchers
of knowledge
Promoting
consideration
Adopting best practice/experience
for
Possible areas for cooperation when
implementing the national priorities (II)
NPP
priority
Objectives
Possible areas of cooperation
in the EUSBSR context
Active
and Increasing the prosperity Adopting best practice/experience
solidary society and social inclusion of
the population
Enhancing the role of Adopting best practice/experience
communities and NGOs
Increasing the quality Promoting of the mobility of the
employment
of
the labour force
population
Possible areas for cooperation when
implementing the national priorities (III)
NPP
priority
Objectives
Possible areas of cooperation in
the EUSBSR context
Integral
economy
oriented to high
added value
Promoting
valuecreating
networks
oriented to global
markets
Creating and developing of the
promotion
of
clusters
of
cooperation/partnership
between
scientific and business institutions and
development/production
of
new/innovative products
Creating incentives Adopting best practice/experience
for the development
of
innovative
business
Promoting
productiveness
business
the Promoting export and the international
of cooperation of businesses
Possible areas for cooperation when
implementing the national priorities (IV)
NPP
priority
Objectives
Possible areas of cooperation in
the EUSBSR context
Environment
Creating
favourable Adopting best practice/experience;
conducive
to conditions
for promoting
green
market
economic
entrepreneurship and development
growth
harmonious
development
of
business
Creating a sustainable Improving communications and
and effective economic transport (e.g. implementation of the
infrastructure
Rail Baltica project);
expanding
energy
connectivity;
promoting
tourism
Using natural resources Increasing the efficiency of energy
rationally
consumption;
using
renewable
energy resources; cleaning bodies of
water; preserving biodiversity
Increasing
regional Improving
the
quality
of
the
Possible areas for cooperation when
implementing the national priorities (V)
NPP
priority
Progressive
public
governance in
line with public
needs
Objectives
Possible
areas
cooperation
in
EUSBSR context
of
the
Strengthening
strategic Adopting/sharing
best
competence
in
public practice/experience;
governance institutions and improving qualifications
improving the management of
activities in these institutions
Ensuring the openness of Adopting
public governance processes practice/experience
and encouraging society to
take active part in them
Improving the quality and Adopting best
accessibility of services in practice/experience
society
best
...and last but not least...
In seeking success for the EUSBSR, what really matters
is not just linking the financial measures with the
strategy, but also the REAL :
 Political commitment;
 Effective coordination of EUSBSR implementation;
 Increase in awareness about the EUSBSR and the
benefits conferred by it.
Thank you for your attention!