Euregio Karelia – New Challenges in Implementing the Northern
Funded by Euregio Karelia Neighbourhood Programme 2001-2006

Objective of the project

The purpose of the project was to strengthen the status of Euregio Karelia, both nationally and internationally, as an example of cross-border cooperation at the border of EU/Finland and Russia. Coordination of the Interreg and Tacis projects would still be essential in the operations of the administration committee of Euregio Karelia.

Main activities

• augmenting the fund of Euregio Karelia

Achievements

The administrative structures and programme policies of Euregio Karelia were strengthened: the joint meetings of the administration committee became a forum for agreeing on the targets, focal points and guardianship of cross-border cooperation on the political level; and improved the implementation of joint projects, such as the border crossing policies of Kuusamo, projects related to the cross-border cooperation of young people, and the eKarelia project. The project compiled a report to develop the information society, ”eKarelia - Euregio Karelia kulttuurisena yhteiskuntana” (eKarelia, Euregio Karelia as a Cultural Society) in Finnish, Russian and English, which secured the funding for eKarelia from the Commission of EU. The top projects determined by the administration committee were also the starting point for choosing the focal points of the new Euregio Karelia Neighbourhood programme. Euregio Karelia was defined a political and strategic role in the programme document of the Euregio Karelia Neighbourhood programme, and the administration committee began reorganising their duties and procedures. Euregio Karelia was presented as a model of cross-border cooperation to the new EU border area member countries, such as the Latvians, Polish and Ukrainians. The Republic of Karelia was chosen as a European region in 2003. With regard to international cross-border cooperation, Euregio Karelia was a member of the Association of European Border Regions, and the government of the AEBR held its meetings in the area of Euregio Karelia. With the help of the project, Euregio Karelia became a good example on regional cross-border cooperation in negotiations between Finland and Russia, and this gave new impetus to the cooperation between Finland and Russia and the Northern Dimension of the European Union. The project had a layout made for Euregio Karelia, registered Euregio Karelia as a trademark, and published a book in English by Valeri Shljamin about the Northern Dimension.