The programme strategy focuses on challenges, needs and a potential at the transnational level, i.e. the aim is to solve common problems of international significance. Projects may involve stakeholders from public or private sectors, provided that they fulfil conditions listed in the Application Manual. Activities of project partners located in the Czech Republic are co-financed by the ERDF up to 85% of eligible expenditure.
Conclusions of numerous discussions held with experts at a transnational level, national consultations in the Member States and meetings of Member States representatives got to following topics that can receive the ERDF support:
Priority Axis 1
Cooperation in the area of innovations to increase competitiveness
1.1 Improving sustainable linkages among actors of innovation systems to enhance regional innovation capacities in Central Europe
1.2 Improving knowledge and entrepreneurial skills to advance economic and social innovations in Central European regions
Priority Axis 2
Cooperation in the area of low-carbon strategies in Central Europe
2.1 Creating and implementing solutions focused on increasing energy efficiency and renewable energy usage in the public infrastructure
2.2 Improving territorially based low-carbon energy planning strategies and policies supporting climate change mitigation
2.3 Increasing capacities for mobility planning in functional urban areas to lower CO2 emissions
Priority Axis 3
Cooperation in the area of natural and cultural resources for a sustainable growth in Central Europe
3.1 Developing capacities for an integrated management of environmental protection to ensure protection and sustainable use of natural heritage and resources
3.2 Developing capacities for sustainable cultural heritage and sources
3.3 Improving the environmental management of functional urban areas to transform them into place with better life
Priority Axis 4
Cooperation in the area of transport to ensure better connections in Central Europe
4.1 Improving the planning and coordination of regional passenger transport systems to ensure better linkage to national and European transport networks
4.2 Improving the coordination among entities active in the area of freight transport to increase the use of multi-modal environmentally-friendly solutions
The management of the Programme is, as with the previous programme, in charge of the City of Vienna, whereas a coordination at the national level remains with the Member State (e.g. the Czech Republic - see the published Contact information). The administrative and technical support for the programme is further provided by the Joint Secretariat located in Vienna. These institutions were most intensively involved in Programme implementation. Certainly, the Member States, relevant institutions and professional or general public also took an active part in the Programme preparation.
The initial Cooperation Programme draft was originally called CENTRAL EUROPE 2020 and since 2012 the individual sections and annexes of the proposal were gradually finalized.
The final draft was approved by the European Commission on 16 December 2014 (the current English version is available in the Programming Document category).
Those interested in the Programme are allowed to register to so-called
CENTRAL Community and also in the PROJECT IDEAS database. Both databases allow applicants to search for contacts of potential candidates, to present own project ideas, to publish expected goals agreed with acquired partners or to address more suitable project partners. Therefore, both databases can be used by potential leadpartners and project partners, but also by project idea developers.