The project's main objective was to support and develop the already established partnership in the region in managing the process of preparation for the Economic and Social Cohesion (ESC) programme and its activities. Because economic and social cohesion is also the aim of the EU Structural Funds the focus was gradually moved to Structural Funds (SF) procedures which normally were organised very much differently than the procedures of the pre-accession instruments (PHARE, ISPA and SAPARD).
The project embedded the region’s public, private and the NGO sector parties to work in close co-operation to achieve the targets set in the Regional Strategy. The project built awareness of the need to consolidate and mobilise the regional resources in the tough competition of business location. This required better performance in managing the process of identification, preparation, appraisal and implementation of projects in a wide regional partnership. Inter-municipal activities and strong participation from the private sector was highlighted. As a result there is a model for sustainable co-operative measures and an Action Plan for inter-municipal activities.
One basic aim of the Regional Partnership project was to support the delivery of the economic and social cohesion measures in the region. The project was carried out within the framework of the National Development Plan, the draft for the Single Programming Document for Latvian Objective –1 programme for the period 2004-2006 and the Program Complement.
The following activities were implemented:
• There is an action plan for developing Municipality and other regional partners co-operation, which facilitates the process of Regional partnership and Regional-National relations;
• The partnership members are empowered in dealing with the management of regional development, as well as project identification and preparation;
• There is increased capacity and skills of the key personnel on the regional partnership to manage, develop and assess projects related to ESC programme;
• The economic sectors and activities having the most potential for future growth in the Region and also potential to attract inward investment are identified;
• The regional strategy is adapted to the requirements of the draft Single Programming Document and information about the Single Programming Document has been disseminated.