News. August Inside this issue: Lithuania Poland Russia ENPI Cross-Border Cooperation Programme

Transcription

1 August 2012 Lithuania Poland Russia ENPI Cross-Border Cooperation Programme Inside this issue: 1 st LSP grant contract already signed 11 regular projects signed by JMA 7 th Joint Monitoring Committee meeting Kaliningrad and Vilnius Branch Offices at your service Recent trainings for Beneficiaries European Cooperation Day due in September Getting to know Programme regions Klaipėda

2 What is new in the CBC Programme Lithuania Poland Russia : interview with Mr Marceli Niezgoda, Undersecretary of State in the Polish Ministry of Regional Development Mr. M. Niezgoda. Photo: JMA. What does the first grant contract signed in June concern? What is the current situation of the Programme? MN: Currently the at the stage of contracting projects. On June 21 st 2012 the Joint Managing Authority (JMA) concluded the first contract. So far contracts have been signed for 11* projects and the total amount granted for these is more than 24,4 M EUR. Our priority is to sign grant contracts and transfer the funds to beneficiaries as quickly as possible. Signing agreements and transferring grant funds to beneficiaries is a very pleasant phase of project implementation. Besides that, we believe that this process will run smoothly because the Joint Technical Secretariat (JTS) and its Branch Offices do provide assistance to the beneficiaries. I would like to encourage the beneficiaries to prepare and submit the project documentation without delays. Where are the Branch Offices of the JTS located? There are three Branch Offices - one is located in Kaliningrad (Russia), one in Vilnius (Lithuania) and one, soon to be opened, in Olsztyn (Poland). Inside this newsletter you can find information what is on the Branch Offices agenda and even see some photos of the teams. MN: The first grant contract was signed for the large scale project Protection of the Baltic coastal water NEFA BALT II. The beneficiary of the project is the municipality of Sopot and the partners are: the municipality of Tolkmicko (Poland) and the municipality of Mamonovo (Russia). The project is briefly described in this newsletter. Beside this one, the two other chosen projects focus on the Baltic Sea, but they are aiming at development of touristic potential of the region. Within signed contracts, there are also projects concerning culture and cultural education ( Museum over borders, Culture and arts. Step II - new quality of education ), supporting agribusiness ( Support and development of rural entrepreneurship: from local experience to cross-border cooperation ) and improvement of administrative matters ( Effective Governance for people ). As you can see, the chosen projects are diverse. But out of these, only NEFA BALT II is the Large Scale Project. proposals but under an award procedure and then accepted by the European Commission. The grants awarded for these projects are usually larger than for regular projects - the ENPI grant amount of our LSPs ranges from 6,1 M EUR up to 10 M EUR while the maximum ENPI grant for regular projects is 4 M EUR. Within the Programme, 7 LSP have been chosen. How many projects were selected in a regular way - within the first call for proposals? MN: Under the first call for proposals there were 53 projects chosen with a total EU co-financing of 78,6 M EUR. In general, what kind of projects were selected for co-financing? Was there any special preference? MN: During selection procedure, we promoted the so-called integrated projects in which partners carry out respective parts of the actions on their side of the border. In my opinion, these ventures represent the highest level of cooperation. Most projects are bilateral: either Lithuanian Russian or Polish Russian, but there are also 8 projects which will be held by partners from the three countries. Among beneficiaries, the most numerable are local and regional authorities, but there are also health, educational and non-government organizations involved in. The crucial outline of the Programme is that partners from all the three countries will work together on projects, which will strengthen the social and economic ties between cross-border neighbours. Under the first call for proposals, there were both infrastructural and soft projects chosen. Within the Priority 2 The social, economic and spatial development 45 projects were selected. The most popular among the applicants was the measure 2.2. Development of human potential by improvement of social conditions, governance and educational opportunities there were 24 projects chosen. On average, each of these projects will obtain 1,2 M EUR from EU funds. There were 8 infrastructural projects chosen within the Priority 1 - Contributing to solving common problems and challenges and the average ENPI grant for these is higher ca. 2,7 M EUR. What are the Programme plans for the upcoming 6 months? MN: We plan to finish the contracting stage and concentrate on implementation of the projects. I would like to thank my colleagues from Lithuania and Russia for intense cooperation, whose effects will be visible soon. Projects activities have already begun and we believe that all selected projects will have good influence on cross-border relations between the three countries. Moreover, to support beneficiaries, the JTS and the Branch Offices will organise training sessions concerning contract requirements and Programme procedures. As you can see, there is a lot going on within the CBC Programme Lithuania Poland Russia Yes, indeed. Thank you for the conversation! Thank you. And to all the beneficiaries: good luck with implementation of the projects! What is exactly a Large Scale Project? MN: Large scale projects address the most important issues from the perspective of the Programme, such as: sustainable use of environment and improvement of transport accessibility. The LSPs are the infrastructural projects of particular importance, as their implementation will strongly influence the Programme area. They are not selected under a call for *Status on August 24 th

3 1 st LSP and regular grant contracts already signed June and July of 2012 were not the months of holidays at all for the Programme. The first two beneficiaries signed the grant contracts with the Joint Managing Authority. On June 21 st 2012, Mr. Marceli Niezgoda, Undersecretary of State of the Ministry of Regional Development of the Republic of Poland (JMA) and Mr. Jacek Karnowski, the President of the city of Sopot (Poland), signed the first Programme grant contract on the co-financing of the Large Scale Project Protection of the Baltic Coastal Water NEFA BALT II. The second grant contract was signed by the Municipality of Pisz (Poland) on July 13 th This beneficiary will implement the project Protected environment healthy young generation together with its partners. 60 Projects will be Contracted Using this money, 2 cumulative collectors will be constructed in Sopot, directing the precipitation water further into the Bay of Gdansk. Also, the underground retention reservoir will be built in the catchment area of Sopot s Babidolski stream, as well as a new integrated sewage treatment system in the Polish towns of Pogrodzie, Chojnowo, Nowinka and Wodynia (all in Elbląski sub-region, Poland). A concept paper for the system of rainwater purification in Mamonovo (Russia) should be also prepared, using the experience and expertise from Sopot. The events aimed at experience exchange among project partners will be organised. Protection of the Baltic Coastal Water NEFA BALT II: 99Less contamination of Vistula Lagoon (Kaliningrad Gulf) 99Improved living conditions 99More attractive to tourists Rationalisation of energy consumption in Pisz, Mamonovo and Alytus district Mr. M. Niezgoda and Mr. J. Karnowski sign the Grant Contract. Photo: Municipality of Sopot. Mr. Niezgoda said: This first grant contract within the Programme launches the contracting process of the other 59 projects with partners from Lithuania, Poland and Russia. I would like to express my respect to all the partners of the project for proper and thorough preparation of all the necessary application documents. The remaining projects approved within the 1 st Call for Proposals should sign the grant contracts on the EU co-financing in the nearest future. 78,6 M EUR has been allocated to 53 regular projects, which were selected during the open competition of the 1 st Call for Proposals. 56,7 M EUR will be used by 7 Large Scale Projects selected by the Programme implementing bodies and the participating countries. Cleaner Water in Bay of Gdansk and Vistula Lagoon The Beneficiary of the Large Scale Project Protection of the Baltic Coastal Water NEFA BALT II is the Municipality Administration of Sopot and the partners are the Municipality Administration of Tolkmicko (Elbląski sub-region, Poland) and the Municipality Administration of Mamonovo (Kaliningrad Oblast, Russia). The project is implemented under the Programme Priority 1 (Contributing to solving common problems and challenges), Measure 1.1. (Sustainable use of environment). It has 2 specific objectives: to reduce the pollution in rain and snow melt water flow into the Bay of Gdańsk (Sopot); to reduce the flow of untreated municipal wastewater into the Vistula Lagoon/Kaliningrad Gulf (Tolkmicko). The total budget of the project is 8,116 M EUR. It will be granted the co-financing worth 7,3 M EUR. Heating system will be modernised in special tutorial school centre in Łupki. Photo: Municipality of Pisz. The Municipality of Pisz (Poland) together with the partners: the Municipality of Mamonovo (Russia) and the Municipality of Alytus District (Lithuania) have started the implementation of the project Protected environment healthy young generation on July 16 th The project is implemented under the Programme Priority 1 (Contributing to solving common problems and challenges), Measure 1.1. (Sustainable use of environment). The total budget of the project is 2,38 M EUR. It will be granted the EU co-financing worth 2,14 M EUR. The specific objectives of the project are: Increasing the knowledge and skills about energy saving among citizens living in the cross-border regions. Reduction of environmental pollution. Extending cooperation for environmental protection action in the border area. Thanks to the EU co-financing, the thermal insulation and heating system will be modernised in 5 buildings of Pisz (district hospital in Pisz, secondary school in Orzysz, special tutorial school centre in Łupki and secondary school no 1). Also, the new boiler will be installed for the Forestry secondary school in Ruciane-Nida. The thermal insulation and roof repair works will be conducted in Mamonovo secondary school and the Teremok kindergarten in Mamonovo, as well. The Municipality of Alytus District will initiate feasibility studies for the modernisation of Daugai Vladas Mironas gymnasium. Protected environment healthy young generation 99Energy consumption costs reduced 99Better living and studying conditions 99Cooperation in energy-saving activities among regional authorities and institutions 4 5

4 10 more regular projects, signed by JMA The JMA has also already signed the grant contracts with other ten projects. Creating the system of health saving support in schoolchildren in the Kaliningrad region and Klaipėda district Beneficiary: N. I. Moroz Non-governmental (private) Institution of General Education (Russia) EU co-financing: ,01 EUR. The beneficiary and its partners: Klaipėda M. Gorky basic school (Lithuania) and Public institution of professional supplementary education Kaliningrad Institute for Educational Development (Russia) will create the system of health saving support of schoolchildren by establishing an international education and health centre, which will accumulate, test and disseminate innovative experience in health saving of schoolchildren among neighbouring countries and Russian regions Baltic Amber Coast. Development of cross-border area through building up and modernization of tourism infrastructure Beneficiary: Sztutowo Commune (Poland). EU co-financing: ,30 EUR. The partners and the beneficiary: Krynica Morska Municipality, Stegna Commune, Ustka Municipality (all from Poland) and the Administration of the Municipality Jantarniy Urban District (Russia) will strengthen the tourism potential and increase the tourist flow in the cross-border cooperation area through the creation of the tourism product Baltic Amber Coast and improvement of maritime tourism infrastructure. The yacht marina in Sztutowo will be modernised and the facilities in yacht port in Krynica Morska will be developed. Also, joint events, e.g. regattas, open-air feast and workshops will be organised. Improvement of accessibility of the state border between the Republic of Lithuania and the Russian Federation by increasing throughput capacity of border control points (BCP) Panemunė and Kybartai Beneficiary of the project: Klaipėda Regional Customs Office. EU co-financing: ,00 EUR. The partners of the beneficiary are Kaliningrad Regional Customs Office (Russia) and Kaunas Regional Customs Office (Lithuania). The overall objective of the project is to speed up the customs control procedures for passenger and cargo transit through Panemunė-Sovetsk and Kybartai-Chernyshevskoye border-crossing points. This will be achieved through the improvement of technical conditions of vehicle traffic management, as modern, high flow capacity x-ray equipment will be introduced at the Panemunė and Kybartai points. Baltic touristic games know-how for development of tourism potential of Baltic region Beneficiary of the project: Palanga Town Municipality Administration (Lithuania). EU co-financing: ,00 EUR. The beneficiary in close cooperation with its partner Administration of Svetlogorsk town (Russia) will develop sports and active tourism in the border region by building modern sport hall in Palanga, preparing technical documentation for sport hall in Svetlogorsk, preparing tourism development strategies for Palanga and Svetlogorsk, and organising joint sport events. The project is expected to improve the tourist flows in the project area. Effective Governance for people Beneficiary of the project: Civil Registry Office (Agency) Kaliningrad (Russia). EU co-financing: ,01 EUR. The beneficiary implements the project together with its Lithuanian partner: Klaipėda City Municipality Administration. Under the project, the civil registration records will be digitalised and a search information system will be developed for the Civil Registry Office (Agency) in the Kaliningrad region. Also, the equipment will be purchased for the Civil Registry Office (Agency) in the Kaliningrad region and the Civil Registry Office in Klaipėda (Lithuania). The Civil Registry Office facilities in Klaipėda will also be refurbished. Support and development of rural entrepreneurship: from local experience to cross-border cooperation Kaliningrad Institute of retraining specialists in agri-business Beneficiary of the project: Kaliningrad Institute of retraining specialists in agri-business (Russia). EU co-financing: ,00 EUR. The partners of the beneficiary are: Klaipėda University (Lithuania), Warmia and Mazuria Centre of Agricultural Advisory Support (Poland) and Immanuel Kant State University of Russia. A series of research studies analysing the prospects of agri-tourism in Kaliningrad region, Lithuania and Poland will be conducted and their results will be presented to local authorities. The partners will organise a number of trainings for farmers. Also, the manuals, catalogues, and an agri-tourist map will be produced, and the joint conferences and festivals organised. Culture and Arts. Step II - New quality of education (CULART II) Beneficiary of the project: Association of Polish Communes of Euroregion Baltic (Poland). EU co-financing: ,00 EUR. The beneficiary and partners (Community foundation "Kaliningrad", Regional State educational institution of additional professional education of specialists of culture and art Educational-methodical centre (both Russia) and Samogithian Community Foundation (Lithuania)) will carry out a comparative analysis of the legislative and administrative conditions for preserving cultural and historical objects in Russia, Poland and Lithuania. A common database for cultural and historical objects will be created. Museums over the borders Beneficiary of the project: Museum of Archaeology and History in Elbląg (Poland). EU co-financing: ,00 EUR. The partner of the Polish museum is the Museum Friedland Gate from Russia. Thanks to the project, both museums will be renovated and equipped with modern museum equipment to meet the contemporary needs of tourists. Also, the partners will develop joint co-operation strategy and promotion strategy. Healthy lungs for one and all Beneficiary of the project: Independent Public Complex Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases in Olsztyn (Poland) Beneficiary: ,00 EUR. The beneficiary and its partner: State Budgetary Healthcare Institution of the Kaliningrad region «City Hospital #3» (Russian Federation) aim to decrease rates of mortality and morbidity caused by respiratory diseases, including tuberculosis, within the core areas of the Programme by formation of Cross-Border Pulmonology Center in Olsztyn, formation of a modern diagnostic and analytical laboratory in Hospital #3 in Kaliningrad and improvement of the knowledge and skills of employees of both healthcare institutions. Development of Cooperation in order to improve health safety of the population of the Russian Lithuanian Polish borderland Beneficiary: Autonomous Public Health Maintenance Organization J. Sniadecki Voevodship Polyclinical Hospital in Bialystok (Poland) EU co-financing: ,60 EURO. The beneficiary and partners within the Project are Public Institution Marijampole Hospital (Lithuania), Municipality Health Institution Chernyakhovsk Central District Hospital (Russia), Dr. Ludwik Rydygier Voevodship Hospital in Suwałki (Poland), Public Institution Tauragė Hospital (Lithuania), State Budgetary Institution of Health Care of Kaliningrad Region Sovetsk Central Town Hospital (Russia). The partnership will establish new standards of cooperation between Polish, Lithuanian and Russian doctors which will contribute in its turn to the development of telemedicine as an effective tool in diagnostics of patients for improvement of health safety of the population in the Programme area. 6 7

5 7 th Joint Monitoring Committee Meeting in Moscow Saint Basil's Cathedral In Moscow. Photo: JMA. Main decisions of the JMC meeting On May 17 th 2012, the 7 th meeting of the Joint Monitoring Committee of the Programme (further on JMC) was held in Moscow. The representatives of national and regional authorities from Lithuania, Poland and Russia, the European Commission, INTERACT programme and the Regional Capacity Building Initiative (RCBI) project took part in the meeting. All the stakeholders of the Programme confirmed their will to speed up the Programme implementation and stressed the importance of supporting the Beneficiaries and partners in their preparations for the signature of the Grant Contracts. 18 More Projects will be Co-financed The JMC decided to make the reallocation within the budget of the Programme (from Priority 1 to Priority 2) in order 18 more projects could be co-financed from the EU funds. These projects had been included into the Reserve list after the evaluation of the applications, submitted during the 1 st Call for Proposals. On April 19 th 2012 the JMC had made a decision that the Programme could co-finance the 18 projects from the Reserve list. After the JMC decision of the May 17 th, the 18 projects are actively preparing for the contracting. Other issues The JMC made the decisions on the substantial changes to some projects, approved to receive the EU co-financing during the 6 th meeting of the JMC, which took place in Brussels on February 8 th The JMC also approved the Technical Assistance Budget of the Programme for the year 2012 and for the period from 2013 to Kaliningrad and Vilnius Branch Offices at your service The Branch Offices (further on BO) of the Joint Technical Secretariat of the Programme (further on JTS) opened in the first half of On April 23 rd the Kaliningrad BO started its operation and on May 9 th (the Day of Europe) the Vilnius BO opened its doors. Their main purpose is to actively assist the JTS in the implementation of the Programme in their countries. The Polish BO in Olsztyn should start its work soon. BO functions The Kaliningrad and Vilnus BO assist the JTS in consulting the beneficiaries and partners of the projects, which have been approved to receive the EU co-financing under the Programme. Also, the BOs are responsible for organising the events of the Programme in the territory of Russia and Lithuania providing any information about the Programme and its projects to anyone interested in the Programme in the Russian Federation and Lithuania. Kaliningrad BO On Agenda In cooperation with JTS the BO has organised the 7 th JMC meeting in Moscow on May 17 th. Also, the key-experts have translated the grant contract into Russian. Currently, the Russian key-experts are actively helping the beneficiaries and partners in the process of the preparation for signing the grant contracts with the Joint Managing Authority of the Programme the Ministry of Regional Development of the Republic of Poland (further on JMA). Also, the Kaliningrad BO is preparing for the participation of the Programme in the European Cooperation Day activities in Sankt Petersburg in September. Key-experts The following key-experts are employed in the Kaliningrad BO: Alisa Povoliaeva Procurement Expert mob alisa.povoliaeva@tisc.org.ru Valeria Goldman Project Expert mob valeria.goldman@tisc.org.ru photo later Tatyana Shitikova Senior Expert Team Leader mob tatyana.shitikova@tisc.org.ru Roman Bazanov Project Expert mob roman.bazanov@tisc.org.ru Lithuanian, Polish and Russian delegations during the meeting. Photo: JTS. Status on August 31 st 2012 Kaliningrad BO is ready to help its customers. Photo: JTS Kaliningrad BO. Contact details The Russian BO is situated in Kalinigrad (Russia) in the Pobedy square 4, entrance 4. Telephone: Fax:

6 Vilnius BO On Agenda The BO has translated the grant contract into Lithuanian. It has also prepared the List of Lithuanian acts of law that are actual in the implementation of the projects under the Programme. The key-experts have prepared the databases of contacts of persons and organisations, interested in the Programme and the possibilities to receive the EU funding apart from the Programme. Currently, the Lithuanian key-experts are actively helping the Beneficiaries and partners in the process of the preparation for signing the Grant Contracts with the JMA. Also, the key-experts are preparing 4 tutorials that should help the Beneficiaries and partners in project implementation: Tutorial on Changes in Projects, Tutorial of Reporting, Tutorial on Procurement and Communication Tutorial. Currently, the main challenge of the Vilnius BO is organising the participation of the Programme in the celebration of the European Cooperation Day in Lazdijai, Lithuania on September 21 st Key-experts The following key-experts are employed in the Vilnius BO: Recent Trainings for Beneficiaries JTS Acting Head Małgorzata Woźniak presents information for Beneficiaries. Photo: JTS. The Joint Technical Secretariat organised two seminars in March and June of 2012 for the Beneficiaries of the projects approved to receive the EU co-financing under the Programme. Trainings on preparation to the grant contract took place in Warsaw on March 29 th and 30 th 2012 and similar training was organised in Warsaw on June 6 th. Over 90 participants took part in both seminars. The JTS and the RCBI expert Albert Sorrosal presented the most relevant issues regarding the grant contract: the contracting process, contractual obligations, eligibility of expenditure, project implementation, procurement procedures, communication and publicity. The participants were presented with the most important details of the contracting process, useful hints on the project budget and payments, as well as reporting procedures. Mr. Sorrosal focused on the procurement procedures, as described in the Practical Guide to Contract Procedures for EU External Actions (PRAG) in particular. Vilnius BO is getting ready to impress with celebration of European Cooperation Day. Photo: JTS Vilnus BO. Giedrius Surplys Senior Expert Team Leader tel giedrius.surplys@vilniusjts.eu Vaidas Jokubaitis Project Expert tel vaidas.jokubaitis@vilniusjts.eu Status on August 31 st 2012 Sigita Baronaitė Project Expert tel sigita.baronaite@vilniusjts.eu Ilma Bėliakaitė Procurement Expert tel ilma.beliakaite@vilniusjts.eu Contact details Lithuanian BO is situated in Vilnius (Lithuania) the premises of the Public Establishment Joint Technical Secretariat: in the Konstitucijos avenue 7. Telephone: Fax: The Beneficiaries from Lithuania, Poland and Russia during the training. Photo: JTS. The participants showed great interest in the topics covered. The event was also a great opportunity for the Beneficiaries to meet the JTS project manager, assigned to supervise their project, for the first time and agree on further individual consultations. In the final part of the training session, the participants were divided into national groups (Lithuanian, Polish and Russian), where the national experts made the presentations on procurement procedures applied in each of the countries. The Beneficiaries from Russia also received instructions on the application procedure for VAT exemption. All the trainings materials can be found on the website of the Programme: section FOR BENEFICIARIES, sub-section TRAININGS. Also the Beneficiaries are strongly advised to get acquainted with Grant Contract (General and Special Conditions). These documents can be found on the website section CALLS FOR PROPOSALS, sub-section I CALL FOR PROPOSALS. Website: (section: LT-PL-RU FILIALAS LIETUVOJE) JTS Paweł Natkaniec presents the requirements for Beneficiaries. Photo: JTS. Important things, stressed during the seminars: 99 No costs are eligible before the start date of the project 99 The rules of origin and nationality must be observed in all the tenders 99 No sub-contracting contract may be signed before the start date of the project 99 Persons working for the project will have to fill in the timesheets. It is worth including this rule into the Partnership Agreements

7 European Cooperation Day in September The European Commission has developed an idea of branding and promoting all the European Territorial Cooperation (further on ETC) and European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (further on ENPI) programmes together. As a starting initiative, the programmes are invited to celebrate the European Cooperation Day on September 21 st, this year. It is up to each Programme to decide, what form of celebration will it choose, however, each activity or events should endeavour achieving 3 goals: getting the media attention getting as many people as possible informing succinctly about the essence of the programmes and the achievements of the projects Over 50 ETC and ENPI programmes in and around Europe are currently preparing for the celebration of the European Cooperation Day. European Cooperation Day This year the European Cooperation Day will be held on September 21 st The European Cooperation Day is aimed emphasize the importance of European Territorial Cooperation with neighbouring countries. Representative of almost 40 countries will join the event strengthening cooperation and improving communication as well as mutual understanding between local communities all across European borders. Celebrations will be organized for the public within September 2012 in different countries of Europe and Russia. Moreover, the event will reveal the achievements of local initiatives made in daily life aspects: from improved job opportunities to health care services, environment protection, transport accessibility, etc. International Innovation Forum in Sankt Petersburg The Russian Federation will contribute to the European Cooperation Day celebrations by organizing International Innovation Forum in Saint-Petersburg on September The forum will cover all five ENPI CBC Programmes the participant of each Programme will have a chance to present general information on their Programme, latest development as well as most interesting projects. All the participants of the Forum can take part in the press-conference experience exchange activities. For more information, please, contact Kaliningrad Branch Office. Crazy Rally in Lazdijai The Programme has joined forces with the ETC Programme Lithuania-Poland and the ENPI Programme Latvia-Lithuania-Belarus to celebrate the European Cooperation Day in Lazdijai, Lithuania on September 21 st. The event will take place on the very Lithuanian-Polish border and will consist of an interactive project fair and the symbolic rally of Lithuania (Lithuanian-breed horse Žemaitukas), Poland (the Maluch Polski Fiat 126 P), Russia (Russian-make car Volga 21) and Belarus (the tractor Belarus ). The Programme invites its stakeholders, beneficiaries and partners to take part in this lively event. For more information, please contact the Vilnius BO. Getting to know Programme Regions Klaipėda Klaipėda city living the jazz by the sea Klaipėda is the third biggest city in Lithuania. It is situated on the coast of the Baltic Sea Klaipėda, with its rich history, traditions, cultural life, unique architecture, it has become an outstanding tourism attraction centre and the symbol of Lithuania, as a sea-state. The city is also special about its jazz culture. The best time to experience this is the annual Castle jazz festival, taking place in summer. Klaipėda old town is small and yet very authentic. Photo: Klaipėda Tourism and Culture Information Centre. The history of the city dates back to the time when the Livonian Order built a castle called Memelburg. The first mentioning of Lithuania dates back to the mid-13 th century. The town Memel (now Klaipėda) was founded in Klaipėda has a population of around 200,000. It has direct motorway to Lithuania s capital city Vilnius (310 km) and to the second biggest Lithuanian city Kaunas (220 km). One can also reach the Swedish port Karlshamn and the German port Kiel by ferry. Lithuanian cuisine There are lots of restaurants and cafes around Klaipėda Old Town where one can taste Lithuanian national dishes. Klaipėda ethnographic region has its own old recipes, a lot of dishes made from potatoes, white curd cheese, which is best with honey and brown rye-bread. Everybody should try: Cepelinai the Zepelin-shaped dish made of minced pork meat, bacon chops or cottage cheese wrapped in a large potato pastry and covered in cream curd sauce Šaltibarščiai specific pink-colour cold beet-root soup, usually served with potatoes, as a delicious refreshing dish on hot summer days Kugelis oven-baked grated potato cake served with sour cream Garlic bread in cheese dipping an absolute hit of beer lovers, served as side dish Smoked bream, eel, snapper and other types of fishes Klaipėda is crazy about loving beer. Just like the rest of Lithuania

8 Places to visit Klaipėda Old Town In Klaipėda Old town you will face the oldest buildings of the city, dating from the middle of the 18 th century. They are warehouses built in the fachwerk style. This construction, influenced by the Germanic culture, has been used since the foundation of the city. The tiny downtown houses and fachwerk-styled warehouses are being used as galleries by many art organisations writers, artists and photographers. Lithuanian Maritime Museum, aquarium and dolphinarium There are aquariums with the Lithuanian fresh water fish, with the fish from the Baltic and tropical seas, prepared sea fauna expositions in the main restored building. The penguins, Baltic Sea seals, the North Sea lions have also found their homes in the aquarium. Enjoy the dolphin shows in the dolphinarium. JTS Team JOINT TECHNICAL SECRETARIAT LITHUANIA-POLAND-RUSSIA ENPI CROSS-BORDER COOPERATION PROGRAMME Malgorzata Wozniak Acting Head tel Sylwia Misztal tel The Castle Museum In the authentic 16-18th century chambers you can learn about the genesis of the castle and the city. You will see many interesting things: archaeological discoveries, historical documents, Klaipėda city stamps, and the 17 th century traditional clothing. In the 20-seat theatre movies are shown about the life in Klaipėda during the Soviet period. This is one of the most modern museums of Lithuania. Palanga, Amber museum (Distance from Klaipeda 25 km) Drive out to visit the famous Amber Museum at Palanga and learn about the Baltic gold. Natalia Bednarczyk-Jama tel Marina Kislyak tel Pawel Natkaniec tel Virginija Simkunaite tel Curonian Spit (Distance from Klaipėda-Juodkrantė with Hill of Withches 18 km, Nida with Great Dune 50 km) Cross the Curonian Spit by ferry to discover the Hill of Witches, the old fishermen s cottages in Nida and the Great Dune with its magnificent panoramic view. The Curonian Spit is included in the UNESCO heritage list. Darius Kontvainis Darius.Kontvainis@cpe.gov.pl tel Nina Shtok Nina.Shtok@cpe.gov.pl tel The Lithuanian sea-coast line adored by the cyclists. Photo: Klaipėda Tourism and Culture Information Centre. Ventės Ragas, Bird Ringing Station Visit the country side of western Lithuania, famous for numerous white storks. At Ventės Ragas, tour the Bird Ringing Station which functions since Each season, several thousand birds are tagged to make easier to observe them. Source: Jurgita Maciunaite Jurgita.Maciunaite@cpe.gov.pl tel Aleksandra Makowiecka Information Officer Aleksandra.Makowiecka@cpe.gov.pl tel Edward Swiecicki Office Administrator Edward.Swiecicki@cpe.gov.pl tel Status on August 31 st

9 The Lithuania-Poland-Russia European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument Cross-border Cooperation Programme aims at promoting economic and social development on both sides of the EU-Russian border, addressing common challenges and problems and promoting people to people co-operation. Under the Programme, legal non-profit entities from the Lithuanian and Polish border regions and the entire Kaliningrad oblast implement joint projects the EU and the Russian Federation. The European Union is made up of 27 Member States who have decided to gradually link together their know-how, resources and destinies. Together, during a period of enlargement of 50 years, they have built a zone of stability, democracy and sustainable development whilst maintaining cultural diversity, tolerance and individual freedoms. The European Union is committed to sharing its achievements and its values with countries and peoples beyond its borders. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of the Joint Technical Secretariat of the Lithuania-Poland -Russia ENPI Cross-Border Cooperation Programme and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union.