Common use of Programme Description Clause in Contracts

Programme Description. The 2004 programme has been designed following the set of projects jointly defined by the partner countries and approved at the Joint Cooperation Committee meeting in Sofia, on 13 July 2004. The border area between Bulgaria and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is homogeneous from natural, geographical and environmental point of view and similarities can be highlighted also from the economic and cultural points of view. The general level of environmental pollution within the cross-border programming region is rather low, partially due to the decrease in recent years of heavy industry and it is renowned both for its favourable, diverse and well-preserved nature and for relevant historical and cultural heritage. Furthermore, existing potentials and resources are not yet sufficiently exploited and in this context, activities addressed to the protection of the biodiversity and valorisation of cultural resources will have direct impact on the social and economic development level of the area. A significant challenge for the joint management of nature and culture endowments is the reconciling of stakeholder interests into a coherent, comprehensive management plans, integrating nature conservation objectives with sustainable local socio- economic development and environmental clean-up plans and programmes, and tangible benefits for the local people. Both Bulgaria and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia are currently building up the experience for such integrated management, for the benefit of both the people and the nature. The aim of the Grant Scheme is to support those activities that are targeted at setting the basis for improvement of nature/culture management and future investment actions, by means of institutional building for the preparation of projects and adoption of participative approach in the decision making process The following activities will be eligible under the Grant Scheme (a detailed list of eligible activities will be developed in the “Guidelines for Applicants” that will precisely define all rules on the functioning of the GS):

Programme Description. The 2004 programme has been designed following the set of projects jointly defined by the partner countries and approved at the Joint Cooperation Committee meeting in Sofia, on 13 July 28 June 2004. The border area between Bulgaria and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is homogeneous from natural, geographical and environmental point of view and similarities can be highlighted also from the economic and cultural points of view. The general level of environmental pollution within the cross-border programming region is rather low, partially due to the decrease in recent years of heavy industry and it is renowned both for its favourable, diverse and well-preserved nature and for relevant historical and cultural heritage. Furthermore, existing potentials and resources are not yet sufficiently exploited and in this context, activities addressed to the protection of the biodiversity and valorisation of cultural resources will have direct impact on the social and economic development level of the area. A significant challenge for the joint management of nature and culture endowments is the reconciling of stakeholder interests into a coherent, comprehensive management plans, integrating nature conservation objectives with sustainable local socio- socio-economic development and environmental clean-up plans and programmes, and tangible benefits for the local people. Both Bulgaria and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia are currently building up the experience for such integrated management, for the benefit of both the people and the nature. The aim of the Grant Scheme is to support those activities that are targeted at setting the basis for improvement of nature/culture management and future investment actions, by means of institutional building for the preparation of projects and adoption of participative approach in the decision making process The following activities will be eligible under the Grant Scheme (a detailed list of eligible activities will be developed in the “Guidelines for Applicants” that will precisely define all rules on the functioning of the GS):