Developments in the Hungarian-Croatian Border Region from EU Funding10 May 2010
The assistance contracts of a further three applications awarded funding to be implemented in the Hungarian-Croatian border region within the framework of the Cross-Border Co-operation Programme have just been signed in the settlement of Zalacsány in Zala County. Over the 2007-2013 period, applicants from these two countries have the opportunity to invest over a total of 46 million EUR within the framework of the Hungary-Croatia IPA Cross-border Co-operation Programme to strengthen intensive social and economic ties and develop cross-border cooperation.
42 applications were awarded EU funding at the end of last year within the framework of the first call for applications of the Hungary-Croatia IPA Cross-border Co-operation Programme. Community funding amounting to a total of 3.4 billion HUF was awarded for projects to be implemented through the collaboration of Hungarian and Croatian partners. The assistance contracts of a further 3 projects have just been signed, at which event project hosts also had the opportunity to present 5 various developments.
Among others, the elaboration of a regional product plan focusing on bicycle, aquatic and equestrian tourism to be implemented under the direction of the Nagykanizsa Campus of Pannon University was one of the projects of the Hungarian-Croatian Cross-border Co-operation Programme that was presented. The aim of this project relates to developing a tourism concept in the border region, setting up a geographical information system and elaborating a comprehensive tourism market strategy for this region.
One of 42 projects awarded funding is a sewage treatment programme affecting 4,500 residents to be implemented by the Local Government of the Municipality of Tótszerdahely in Hungary in collaboration with Međimurske vode d.o.o on the other side of the border, which involves building an entire sewage treatment plant in the settlement of Podturen and upgrading the existing sewage treatment plant in Tótszerdahely, which also caters to the demands of the neighbouring settlements of Becsehely and Tótszentmárton.
The DRAVIS Project implemented over the 2004-2006 period will also continue with the help of EU funding as a part of the Hungarian-Croatian Cross-border Co-operation Programme under the direction of the Directorate for Disaster Management of Somogy County, the aim of which is to provide assistance in disaster management along the Drava River by introducing innovative technologies and solutions.
Participants attending the event held in Zalacsányi also had the opportunity to gain insight into the project called “In the footsteps of Zrinyi” to be implemented through the collaboration of two Hungarian and two Croatian schools. The aim of this project relates to strengthening the identity of students living in the Mura region, conserving customs and traditions and developing contacts between educational institutions by, among others, organising joint language courses for schools, sports and educational competitions, as well as other joint programmes.
The project to be implemented under the direction of the South Transdanubian Regional Employment Centre was also awarded EU funding, the aim of which relates to mapping potential areas of cross-border labour market cooperation by integrating Hungarian and Croatian experts.
The next call for applications of the Hungary-Croatia IPA Cross-border Cooperation Programme is expected to be announced at the end of May/beginning of June 2010. For further information on the Programme visit the Programme’s official website: http://www.hu-hr-ipa.com