In this way the number of entities that implement Polish development assistance projects has been broadened.

Fourteen applications have been submitted within the deadline fixed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The total value of he projects presented by the local administration has amounted to PLN 1 159 227.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was expecting projects that deal with the development assistance and international development co-operation activities in the following countries:

Afghanistan, Angola, Belarus, Georgia, Iraq, Moldova, Ukraine, Vietnam, Russian Federation, Central Asia and South Caucasian countries, Balkan countries.

Priority sectors of assistance in the above-mentioned counties and regions have been presented to local administration bodies by the ministry.

The scope of assistance activities aimed at the above-mentioned countries included among others, institutional support for local and central administration, support for cross-border co-operation and regional partnerships, support for economic transformation process, and assistance in sectors like agriculture, environmental protection and others.

Submitted applications deal with activities undertaken to the benefit of three countries: Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan, and Kaliningrad Region of Russian Federation.

As many as 12 applications submitted by local administration bodies have been aimed at activities in the field of foreign assistance in Ukraine. There has been one proposal concerning activities to be undertaken in the Republic of Kyrgyzstan and one, dealing with Kaliningrad Region in Russian Federation. No applications (individual or for a group of countries) have been submitted for the following countries: Afghanistan, Angola, Belarus, Georgia, Iraq, Moldova, Vietnam, Balkan countries.

Limited geographical scope of the applications submitted by the local administration bodies can be due to their début in the field of foreign assistance project preparation. The fact that the majority of proposals deal with Ukraine is surely caused by territorial proximity of this recipient country, and more or less exact knowledge of the needs of this neighbouring country, and also the existing experience of local administration bodies in activities and relation with our Ukrainian partners. The vast majority of applicants will be implementing their projects in administrative districts, cities and regions with which they have long-lasting co-operation.

In the chart below, we present the number of project applications in the field of foreign assistance and international development co-operation submitted by local administration bodies, and those approved to be implemented in 2006.

List of countries

Ukraine

Twelve projects were submitted and their total value amounted to PLN 920 842. The presented projects were devoted to such topics as support for local administration, regional development, cross-border co-operation, the agricultural sector and economic transformation process. Two projects pertaining to this group of applications dealt with economic missions in Ukraine.

Nine projects have been approved for further implementation. They regard local administration strengthening and support aimed at various fields of activities like regional development, co-operation among local administration bodies, cross-border co-operation, economic transformation process and the agricultural sector, as well as support for the process of integration with the European structures.  

Central Asia and South Caucasus - Kyrgyzstan

One project application of a total amount of PLN 195 510 has been submitted. The project deals with the sector of environmental protection, namely with the implementation of a partnership programme supporting sustainable energetic development (Climate Manu Programme), and the ecological policy development of local administration.

Approved projects vs. the scope of assistance

Russian Federation - Kaliningrad Region

One project application amounting a total value of PLN 42 875 has been submitted. It dealt with the organisation of an economic mission in the Kaliningrad Region.