Phare CBC Neighbourhood Programme Romania – Ukraine 2004-2006

Introduction and context

The Romania-Ukraine Neighborhood Programme 2004-2006 was designed to facilitate the transition to the new European Union financing instruments, harmonizing Phare CBC funds (for Romania) and TACIS (for Ukraine) under a common management framework. This programme represented the foundation of modern cross-border cooperation, preparing border regions for European integration and sustainable development.

Eligible Area:

• Romania: Suceava, Botoșani, Maramureș, Satu Mare, and Tulcea counties.
• Ukraine: Chernivtsi, Odesa, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Transcarpathia Oblasts.

Objectives

General Objective: To improve cross-border integration between border regions, laying solid foundations for sustainable economic development.

Specific Objectives:

• Strengthening existing common values to initiate a new integrated cycle of sustainable development.
• Supporting development through key cross-border infrastructure projects.
• Developing cooperation to highlight the shared socio-cultural heritage, linked to local history and environment.
• Strengthening the operational capacity for cross-border cooperation.

Priorități și măsuri de finanțare

The programme was structured around three strategic priorities that guided regional investments:

• Priority 1: Promoting local socio-economic development
  • Measure 1.1 – Tourism: Expanding and strengthening the tourism sector (rural, mountain, cultural, ecological) in high-potential areas such as Bucovina, Maramureș, or the Danube Delta.
  • Measure 1.2 – Economic Cooperation: Facilitating links between business environments and developing human resources to meet labor market challenges.
• Priority 2: Integrated Infrastructure Systems
  • Measure 2.1 – Transport and Border: Developing small-scale transport infrastructure and preparing plans for major interconnection projects.
  • Measure 2.2 – Environment: Improving cross-border environmental management, including water and air quality monitoring and biodiversity protection.
• Priority 3: „People to People” Actions
  • Measure 3.1 – Joint Small Projects Fund (JSPF): Encouraging small-scale cooperation between communities, schools, NGOs, and local authorities to strengthen social and cultural relations.

Financial information

The programme operated on a public co-financing mechanism, supported by the European Union and the Romanian Government:

• Phare Support Rate: 75% of total public support.
• Romanian Government Contribution: 25% of total public support.
• Beneficiary Contribution:
  • Minimum 10% for investment and economic development projects.
  • Minimum 5% for „People-to-People” projects.

Results

The implementation of the programme during the 2004-2006 period generated a major impact in the region, financing a total of 147 cross-border projects. Below are the execution figures for each budget cycle:

PROJECT FICHES - SECTION BEING UPDATED

NOTE: The BRCT Suceava team is currently working on the digitisation and publication of the detailed fact sheets for the projects implemented in the period 2004-2006. This archive will include concrete results, partnerships established and the impact generated by each initiative in the border communities.

Thank you for your patience. Information will be available shortly.