Knowledge Building and Networking Programme for North-West Russia

The Nordic Council of Ministers introduced a new Knowledge Building and Networking Programme for co-operation with Northwest Russia on January 1, 2007. The purpose of the programme is to build knowledge and to promote network-building between the Nordic countries and Northwest Russia.

The budget for the programme in 2009 is slightly more than DKK 20 million.

The Nordic Council of Ministers' guidelines for co-operation with North-west Russia, which is the basis of the partnership, has recently been renewed and extended until the end of 2013.

Guidelines for co-operation with North-west Russia 2009-2013

Programme for Icelandic Presidency in NCM 2009

The programme will focus on furthering the exchange of knowledge, experience and skills as well as creating networks between partner organisations in the Nordic Region and Northwest Russia. The programme is designed to serve as seed money to initiate new co-operation activities with the aim of enhancing sustainable and long-term partnerships between Northwest Russian and Nordic organizations and organizations from Northwest Russia.

The programme will provide civil servants, teachers, researchers, politicians, journalists and NGOs with the opportunity of taking part in joint Nordic-Russian exchange activities.

There will be close collaboration between official bodies, institutions, universities and other organisations in the Nordic region and Northwest Russia.

Programme structure
The programme will focus on supporting collaboration activities within the following four main sectors:

- Public administration
- Education and Research
- Business exchange
- Civic society

Within these areas priority will be given to 12 policy areas for co-operation.

The emphasis is on the following:

Public administration

- Capacity building in local government
- Co-operation to combat human trafficking
- Strengthening social services and health care for vulnerable groups
- Co-operation for a secure and sustainable energy system
- Co-operation between courts, prosecutors and executive bodies

Education and Research

- Co-operation between educational institutions
- Co-operation between research institutions

Economic development

- Capacity-building to stimulate the growth of small and medium sized enterprises

Civic society

- Co-operation between the media and journalists
- Co-operation between cultural institutions
- Co-operation between Nordic and Northwest Russian parliamentarians
- Capacity building for NGOs

In addition to the areas mentioned above, a special budget is allocated for co-operation between the Nordic institutions under the Nordic Council of Ministers and its counterparts in Northwest Russia.

Selection of partner organizations
Within the priority themes, sub-programmes for cooperation will be developed together with a relevant partner organization. The establishment of a sub-programme requires at least one partner from Northwest Russia and partner organizations representing at least two Nordic countries. The sub-programmes and possible partner organizations will be identified by the Nordic Council of Ministers.

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.

Expression of interest
Authorities, organizations, universities etc. from Northwest Russia and from the Nordic countries are, however, welcome to express interest in co-operation in one or more of the prioritized policy areas.
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.

There is no specific deadline for expressions of interest.
The implementation of projects and other activities under the Nordic Council of Ministers' Russia Programme are mainly carried out by the Nordic Council of Ministers Offices in St. Petersburg and in Kaliningrad.
Nordic interested partners are welcome to contact the Nordic Council of Ministers Secretariat in Copenhagen, Senior Advisor Ms. Ane Kofod Petersen.

Format of Expression of Interest



Edited September 2009