Presentation 2007-2013

This programme involves Community support for the 17 NUTS III border areas in both countries, plus 16 NUTS III adjacent areas, within the framework of the European territorial cooperation objective. The total budget for the programme is worth some € 354 million, with Community funding through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) amounting to around € 267 million.

The programme involves 1 234 km of border between the two countries. The original eligible area for the programme -- the 17 NUTS III areas -- accounts for 23.5% of the Iberian Peninsula, 10.6% of its total population and 9.6% of employment. Area GNP amounts to 7.5% of Iberian GNP.

The overall objective of the programme is to develop further and broaden the common border areas of both countries within the priorities set by the new European territorial cooperation objective. This marks a substantial shift in the overall programme objectives, away from previous programmes, that is geared chiefly towards improving connectivity and basic infrastructures in the border areas and towards a new approach aimed at improving competitiveness, promoting employment and enhancing socio-economic and institutional integration in the border regions.

The trend established through successive programmes has led to a new type of cross border cooperation in the current period that focuses on:

• reinforcement of the immaterial component of the interventions;
• widening of the scope of stakeholders in the cooperation process;
• more intense cooperation in all phases of the development of interventions (design, development and operation, joint management);
• strengthening of joint cooperation structures.

A series of indicators, applicable to each of the programme priorities, will make it possible to evaluate the programme’s effects in fields such as its impact on the area’s population, on the partnership and joint management of cooperation projects, on the development of joint spatial planning projects, and on the joint use of infrastructure, equipment and services, etc.

• support and encouragement for entrepreneurial activities, the expansion of SMEs and the development of cross-border tourism, culture and commerce;
• joint management and protection of the environment and risk prevention;
• support for connectivity between urban and rural areas and the reduction of isolation through the improvement of access to transport, information and communication networks, as well as better cross-border access to energy and water supply and waste management services;
• support for cooperation in the development and joint use of common infrastructures, equipment and services in areas such as health, culture and education.

The "Operational Programme for Cross-border Cooperation: Spain – Portugal, 2007-2013" is structured into the following priorities:

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By the end of January 2009, the application submitted by the INL to the Cross-Border Cooperation Programme Spain Portugal 2007-2013 was approved be the Monitoring Committee of the Programme.

The overall objective is to build a centre of excellence in applied nanotechnology research, with a positive impact in the region’s competitiveness, promotion of qualified employment, new companies, but also in the development of the relational model Administration/INL/Company/University.

The project submitted by INL includes the construction of competitive scientific infra-structures, with the objective to attract top researchers in the field of nanotechnology.

The installation of the facilities in the North of Portugal, more precisely in Braga, will also favour the development of methodologies that enhance a ecosystem of spin offs, as well as the integration of the INL in Networks of knowledge.

At the end of this project, the region shall benefit from competitive technological infrastructures, on an international level, increasing the regional competitiveness of companies, universities and technological centres.

The local environment for spin-offs and technological centres to emerge, as well as the conditions for their survival, shall also improve.