BILATERAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDED BY THE KINGDOM OF THE NETHERLANDS

The Kingdom of the Netherlands was one of the first countries with which the Republic of Slovenia, as an independent country, set up cooperation within the framework of bilateral technical assistance aimed at assisting Slovenia's integration into the European Union. From 1992 to 2004, the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, within its assistance programmes, invested in Slovenia about EUR 18 million in technical assistance projects.

Since Slovenia became a member of the European Union, cooperation has focused in particular on minor projects aiming to increase the flow of knowledge and expertise and promote mutual cooperation. For this purpose, the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands designed new aid programmes entitled MATRA-flex and PSO Accession short Programme (PPA short), intended for the New Member States and the Candidate Countries. The programmes are meant to assist individual countries in the introduction and implementation of the acquis and to promote cooperation with the Dutch governmental bodies.

Cooperation within the framework of both programmes is possible in 2006 too.

Basic information on both programmes

Both programmes are open for cooperation until 2010. For the both programmes, the Dutch government has earmarked the amount of EUR 4.5 million per annum. The funds have not been divided by countries but according to the “first-in-first-served” principle. The tender thus remains open throughout the year and concludes when all the funds which have been earmarked per annum are engaged. As a rule, the annual cycle of inviting tenders begins in spring and ends in autumn.

Features of both programmes:

- it is not possible to propose any investment projects or equipment purchase within assistance.

- the Netherlands can approve the project in about 2 to 3 months. The project must be implemented within 6 months from the signing of the contract.

- in addition to the Slovene and Dutch partners, other states, such as neighbouring states, may also participate in the project, as well as states which receive Dutch assistance but are not yet members of the EU, such as Croatia and Serbia and Montenegro.

- a synergy with other donors is possible.

- the project may only be proposed by the Government of the Republic of Slovenia or the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and/or their ministries and institutions.

- although local government and municipalities may not propose projects, the Government Office for Regional Policy and Local Self-Government may. The beneficiary is the local community or municipality.

MATRA-flex Programme

The main objective of the individual programmes must be focused on the introduction and implementation of the acquis, with the participation of state or government institutions.

Priority areas: finance, public health, social affairs, employment, environment, education, culture, foreign and security policy and justice and home affairs and the Copenhagen Criteria.

Activities supported by the Programme: working visits to the Netherlands, working visits of Dutch experts to Slovenia, bi- and multilateral working groups, seminars and conferences, education, analyses/studies and advice.

Duration of project activity: one day to six months.

Total value of individual projects: EUR 30,000, on average, otherwise from EUR 15,000 to EUR 100,000.

PSO Accession short Programme (PPA short)

The Programme concerns mainly transfer and exchange of experience between the public servants concerning the introduction and implementation of the acquis.

Priority areas: economic issues (agriculture, transport, finance, economic development, competition, energy) and environmental issues, which enhance functioning of the internal market and environment protection.

All the other conditions as for the Matra-flex Programme apply.

Registration of projects

Proposals can be submitted to the Government Office for European Affairs, the National Coordinator for Dutch Technical Assistance (the proposals are not to be sent to the Netherlands directly). The National Coordinator forwards the proposals to the Netherlands for an assessment and approval. Proposals should be submitted in the English language on the forms provided in the attachments. They should be sent in an electronic and paper form to the following address:

Dr. Riana Benko

Government Office for European Affairs

Gregorčičeva 25-25a, 1000 Ljubljana

Tel.: 00386 1 478 25 56

Fax: 00386 1 478 25 00

E-mail: riana.benko@gov.si

The Government Office for European Affairs must give its opinion on the project.

Links

http://www.evd.nl/preaccession

http://www.netherlands-embassy.si

Tender documents

Detailed information on individual programmes and tender documents are provided in the Annexes.

Presentation of the Matra-flex Programme for 2006

Application form for projects within the Matra-flex Programme for 2006

Presentation of the PSO-PPA-Short Programme for 2006

Application form for projects within the PSO-PPA-Short Programme for 2006

Presentation of the Matra-flex and PSO-PPA-Short Programmes

Contacts:

Dr. Riana Benko

Phone: + 386 1 478 25 56

Fax: + 386 1 478 25 00

E-mail: riana.benko(at)gov.si