Program objectives and priorities

The long term overall aim of the Programme is the facilitation of a harmonic and cooperating region with a sustainable and safe environment, where the common cultural and natural heritage is successfully managed together and the opportunities of economy and culture are extended by increased business, educational, research and cultural relations, resulting in the creation of jobs, and the isolating effects of the Schengen external border situation are minimised.

In order to achieve the overall strategic goal, five specific objectives are defined:

Specific objectives:

• Reducing isolation of border areas by improving cross-border accessibility
• Environmental sustainability and safety in the border zone
• Synergies and co-operation in the economy
• Managing common cultural heritage to promote cultural values, traditions and to develop tourism
• Intense cultural, educational and research interaction

The following priorities, intervention areas and activities have been identified to contribute to the achievement of the above objectives:

Priority 1: INFRASTRUCTURE AND ENVIRONMENT

The aim of this priority is strengthening the physical connections between the two sides of the border and in the border micro-regions in order to reduce the isolation of the area and to take common responsibility for the environmental heritage and the waterways of the border area. Thus the priority aims to support infrastructural, environmental and water management developments in the Serbian-Hungarian border region.

Area of intervention 1.1: Infrastructure for physical connections
1.1.1 Border crossing infrastructure, construction, reconstruction of lead up roads
1.1.2 Planning transport lines, harmonisation of public transport

Area of intervention 1.2: Common responsibility for the environment
1.2.1 Minor actions in water management
1.2.2 Animal health monitoring, minor actions for improving the quality of the environment

Priority 2: ECONOMY, EDUCATION and CULTURE

The aim of this priority is to support interactions between actors from the two sides of the border to enhance competitiveness, to facilitate economic growth and to create jobs. The priority also aims to support common product oriented RDI efforts by research institutions and business partners acting in co-operation with them, as well as common planning and interactions between educational, research and cultural civic institutions in order to create a common educational and cultural space in the Serbian-Hungarian border region. Support is also given to municipalities and non-governmental organisations that are willing to cooperate in order to help develop a common regional identity.

Area of intervention 2.1: Stimulating a synergic economy, tourism and R&D

2.1.1. Trainings and partner finding facilitation for businesses
2.1.2. Development of thematic routes of cultural heritage
2.1.3. Coordinated studies for territorial and sectoral development of the region
2.1.4. Product oriented research, development and innovation

Area of intervention 2.2: Education and culture for a common mind

2.2.1. Educational co-operation
2.2.2. People to people co-operation