Knowledge Building and Networking Programme for the North-West Russia
The Nordic Council of Ministers introduced Knowledge Building and Networking Programme for cooperation with North-West Russia in January 2007. The aim of the programme is to build knowledge and promote network-building between the Nordic countries and North-West Russia.
The programme focuses on promoting the exchange of knowledge, experiences and skills as well as establishing networks between partner organization in the Nordic countries and North-West Russia. The programme is designed to serve as seed money to initiate new cooperation activities with the aim of enhancing sustainable and long-term partnerships between North-West Russian and Nordic partner organisation.
The programme replaces the 11 old exchange programmes with streamlined and focused one. The 2010 budget for the programme is around DKK 17 million.
Through the programme, civil servants, teachers, representatives from small or medium sized enterprises, researchers, politicians, journalists and representatives of NGOs etc. have the opportunity to participate in joint Nordic-Russian exchange activities.
Partners for cooperation could be authorities, small or medium sized enterprises, organisations, universities, etc. in the Nordic countries and North-west Russia.
Programme structure
The programme is focused so as to support cooperation activities in the following five main areas:
§ Public administration
§ Research and education
§ Business development
§ Civil society
§ Practice in Nordic institutions
Within these five areas, a total of 14 priority themes for cooperation are identified:
Public administration:
o Local government cooperation
o Cooperation in the fields of social and health affairs with special focus on prevention of human trafficking and prevention of HIV/AIDS spread
o Cooperation on environment, climate and energy
o Law enforcement and judicial cooperation
Education and research
o Cooperation on education
o Cooperation between research institutions
Business development
o Capacity-building for development of small and medium sized enterprises sector
o Cooperation on conditions for economic cooperation and trade
o Cooperation in the fields of innovation and creative industries
Civil society
o Cooperation between journalists and media
o Cultural cooperation
o Parliamentary cooperation
o NGO cooperation
Practice in Nordic institutions
o Traineeships in Nordic institutions
Selection of partner organisation
Within the priority themes, sub-programmes for cooperation will be developed by the Nordic Council of Ministers together with relevant partner organisation. The establishment of a sub-programme requires at least one partner from North-West Russia and a partner organisation representing at least two Nordic countries. The sub-programmes and possible partner organisation might be identified by the Nordic Council of Ministers but could also be developed on the basis of ideas from Russian or Nordic partner organisation.
The basic principle is that activities will be developed together with partners that have an interest in taking part in the programme. The procedures for applications will be an integrated part of each activity and will differ from activity to activity. The aim is to promote activities in groups rather than individual exchanges.
Eligibility criteria for the selection of sub-programmes
§ The activities should include an exchange of knowledge,
experiences and skills between the Nordic countries and
North-West Russia;
§ Sustainable and long-term partnerships between North-West Russian and Nordic partner organisation from minimum two Nordic countries;
§ The sub-programme requires at least one partner from North-West Russia and a partner organisation representing at least two Nordic countries;
§ Co-financing of activities by minimum 30 % from the applicant, partner organisations and/or third parties, except in case of activities focused on strengthening civil society (NGOs);
§ Secure the visibility of the NCM Knowledge Building and Networking Programme;
§ Secure equal access to programme activities for men and women.
Expression of interest
Authorities, organisations, universities etc. from North-West Russia and from the Nordic countries are welcome to express their interest in cooperation in one or more of the prioritised themes. Expressions of interest could be based on existing networks, where cooperation could be broadened and deepened, or areas where new networks could be developed. Suggestions for new themes will also be considered.