Author: groteski

PROMAS (Programme Management System) is a web-based application for applying funding, conducting the selection process and managing and monitoring of the CBC projects in South-East Finland – Russia, Karelia and Kolarctic CBC 2014-2020 programmes. 

Joint user survey for all three programmes is implemented during 20.1-31.1.2020 to collect feedback and experiences of the system and its functions. Results will be reviewed when finalising further development needed for the on-going period, and also, to make the decisions of the system used for the 2021-2027 programmes. 

Go to the online survey-template and let us know how PROMAS works for you. Thank you for your contribution!  

The South-East Finland – Russia CBC Programme organized its 2nd Annual Event in Saint Petersburg, Russia on 10-11.12.2019.   

Annual Events are platforms for the discussions of the results and synergies of the Russian-Finnish cross-border cooperation for the target regions, as well as the means to review on what has already been done for the benefit of the people at the both sides of the border. One of the events main objectives is to provide also a good overall picture of the impacts gained from the joint financial input of € 77,5 Mio from the European Union, Russia and Finland.  

ITMO University provided well working facilities to celebrate the cross-border cooperation between Finland and Russia and projects’ actions. Today, out of 48 on-going projects (link to funded projects) the first launched are at the first interim reporting phase and some just started their journey. This season, we also enjoyed premiere of the Programme video showing the variety of the Finnish-Russian networks activities and fields of cooperation. 

Full house and important information

The project partners, in total circa 200 persons, enjoyed two days agenda including training of project communication and management and using PROMAS-system. Partners also took part in the group-working of the themes; partnership, project generation and sustainability of the results and got information of the Call 6, closing on the 27 February 2020. We collected feedback of the training sessions and are happy to see that clear majority considered them very useful or useful. Development suggestions are noted, thank you very much for those.

The main session on 11 December afternoon gathered Programme’s beneficiaries, stakeholders and the representatives of the financiers to exchange ideas, viewpoints and objectives of the current CBC 2014-2020 period and to reflect the future. In all speeches, strong support was given for the continuation of the Cross-Border Cooperation in the core regions currently on-board. Keynotes of the financiers highlighted the importance of having instrument like South-East Finland – Russia CBC Programme as a functional tool supporting and enabling cooperation between Russia and Finland.   

Good Communication Awards 

As part of our Annual Events, the Good Communication Awards are given in recognition of the contributions made by the projects. Awards symbolize transparent and fluent cooperation between the partners, the positive approach towards the Cross-Border Cooperation and the visibility and notability that the projects provide for the Programme and its financiers. In 2019, awards were announced by Mr Lauri Pullola from the General Consulate of Finland in St Petersburg for RiverGo (link), Multipass Port (link) and BizCycle (link). Warm congratulations.

Want to have Your say? 

Programme’s annual survey is open until 20.12.2019 and we wish to receive as many comments and replies as possible also to capture signals for programming 2021-2027 period. Go to survey (in English) via this link. Result summary will be published on our website in January 2020. 

Next Annual Event 

We hope so see you all next year in our third edition taking place in Kymenlaakso, Finland. Exact dates will be announced in early autumn.

Photos  

Photos of the second Annual Event are available at https://www.facebook.com/sefinruscbc/ 

Material 

Training material for the project partners and potential applicants of the Call 6 are available at Event material 

Keynotes may be downloaded below. 

South-East Finland – Russia CBC Annual Event 11.12.2019 St Petersburg – Maxim Oreshkin, Russian NA speech

South-East Finland – Russia CBC Annual Event 11.12.2019 St Petersburg – Tuulia Väliheikki, Finnish NA speech

South-East Finland – Russia CBC Annual Event 11.12.2019 St Petersburg – Dana Berinde, EC speech

 

 

Programme offices’ services have some exceptions in December-January, due to seasons’ holidays and personnel training. 

Head office in Lappeenranta is closed on 16.12.2019-17.12.2019 and 23.12.2019-1.1.2020. 

Branch office in St Petersburg is closed on 16.12.2019-18.12.2019 and 30.12.2019-8.1.2020. 

CBC team wish everyone Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! 

The Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC) had its ninth meeting on 11 December 2019 in St. Petersburg, Russia. It closed the year in a good and cooperative atmosphere, having made decisions of the awards and reviewing and supporting programme operations. In the meeting, overview on the MA’s annual progress report was complemented by the latest state of play for the contracting processes and evaluation of the first project reports. The chairmanship of the committee was also passed from the Russian National Authority to the Finnish ministerial colleagues for the year 2020.

The ENI CBC 2014-2020 period is now in full implementation phase, and the South-East Finland – Russia CBC financing is still open for applications until 27 February 2020.

Open priorities

1: Lively, active and competitive economy
3: Attractive, clean environment and region
4: Well-connected region

Decisions of the awards are taken in June 2020. Further information of the call.

Launching 2021-2027 programming

The JMC also took notes for the next programming period and made an important decision to establish the Programming Committee (PC) to prepare Cross-Border Cooperation Programme 2021-2027 for the regions of the current South-East Finland – Russia CBC. The work of PC, coordinated by the Managing Authority, shall be launched soon after the season’s holidays. First organisational meeting is foreseen in April 2020.

Project coordinator
Managing Authority
South-East Finland – Russia CBC 2014-2020 

Sonja joined the CBC team in the Managing Authority (MA) in 2017 and brought with her experience from the fields of international development in the municipal organizations and higher educational institutions. Having key focuses on regional development and R&D in her previous jobs, she has already noted that there are different dimensions in the context of the Cross-Border Cooperation, and which actually give added value to the regions. 

, says Sonja.
 

Customer service is our cup of tea 

Today Sonja works at the MA’s operational unit in the South-East Finland – Russia CBC programme administration and giving guidance and monitoring the funded standard projects. ”We have realized that the customer service -approach is needed also in the field of official contracting and financing authority” agrees Sonja, with the whole team.  

Her viewpoints holding concrete experience of implementing international projects and the role of the beneficiary has given valuable assets for the work of the MA. On the other hand, Sonja has learned a lot during last two years and, at some level, has also been surprised how high are the standards of coordinating all the needs and requirements of the applicants, beneficiaries and the programme’s financiers and stakeholders. To manage all this, we need also programme-level cooperation and consider direct dialog with the National Authorities, European Commission and other relevant networks very important. 

 

Many colours of cooperation 

People-to-people cooperation is a true core when aiming for the social development and increasing wellbeing of the population living in the border regions. One can do this by implementing projects for example in the environmental, cultural or educational sectors, and whatever the theme is, the cooperation itself works to lower prejudices, mental barriers and negative attitudes. And even if we have functioning and controlled border between Finland and Russia, it doesn’t have to be so significant in our minds. Both aspects are important and must be promoted also at homes in order to build solid and prosperous future. 

 

In her free time, she relaxes and revert from work by reading, crafting and doing yoga. Sonja is also an active scout, which keeps her busy and motivated.