Year 2013 in Retrospect by ENPI Estonia-Latvia-Russia CBC Programme

Programme has reached the new phase and first significant results of previous year’s works have become visible. Four projects out of 45 open call projects have successfully finalised its planned activities and are drawing final reports. Social project “PHOTO YOUTH” aiming to promote people-to-people cooperation between Russia and Latvia was accomplished in June 2013 involving 250 young photographers and 50 teachers from 22 correctional schools. In August 2013 tourism project “EBLER” and sports project “CROSSBO ACTIVE” have been drawing to a close. In frame of “EBLER” 2 new thematic tourism routes drafted aiming to promote the attractiveness of border regions of Estonia, Latvia and Russia. Project „CROSSBO ACTIVE“ has organised 17 tournaments in 7 different fields of sports for disabled, youth in Latvia and Russia.


Culture project „Border light“ between Latvia and Russia has offered memorable moments and experiences through two 5-day international theatre festivals, 4 educational visits for art school students and pedagogues, 6 training seminars for amateur theatre actors and directors, a number of publications about amateur theatres has been published.


Several improved infrastructure objects are opened for the public in the border area of Estonia, Latvia and Russia.

Sports project “Cross countries through football” after reconstruction opened football ground in Pechory, Russia.  Tourism project “Via Hanseatica” introduced to the local citizens Avinurme Wood Park and playground in Avinurme Rural Municipality, Estonia. Active tourism project „SVS Activetour” has opened first in Eastern Europe cooled cross-country ski track of 1,25 km in Sigulda (Latvia) and nature tourism project “People with nature” opened four nature education centres in Latvia, creation of a single audio tour for getting around Narva and Ivangorod Fortresses (Estonia and Russia) within tourism project “EstRusFortTour-2”.

Besides visible investments also numerous so called soft activities have taken place during year 2013. These are various seminars, traffic safety and nature education campaigns, study visits and business missions, information days, participation in tourism and school fairs, organizing International Photo Exhibition and clean-up activities.


Two out of five Large scale projects (LSP) opened first large infrastructures. LSP “Common Peipsi” - the cooperation project between Estonia and Russia has opened first object in Estonia – Räpina harbour pavilion. Several Russian partners also finalized improvements of the water treatment plants and facilities in the Peipsi lake basin.



LSP “Safe road” reconstructed road ways and cycling- and footways, parking areas in Russia and installed road marks. In Estonia 14,6 km long Reha-Koidula road section was renovated and 2,4 km long Värska-Reha road section got dust-free cover and were officially opened in November. Works continue in Pechory city, Pskov region.


In total 239 partner organisations have been involved in implementation of 50 supported projects by the Programme. Out of contracted 67 974 127.37 EUR until 31 December 2013 38 039 126.35 EUR (56%) has been paid out to the Projects.


“Teamwork makes the dream work” - Bang Gae


Year 2013 has been rich for the Programme by variety of public events, offering pleasant opportunities, active communication and enriching contacts through cooperation activities, our joint undertakings with Projects as well with other Programmes.


14 seminars were organised by in Estonia, Latvia and Russia covering most actual topics as legal frameworks, contractual obligations and financial issues of the Programme for Beneficiaries, partners, auditors and financial managers of the 2nd Call projects. Programme reporting requirements and actualities in procurement regulations, communication and capitalisation were presented to project implementers.


Annual Event of the Programme held in Sigulda, Latvia on 10-11 June focused on capitalization and tourism perspectives on the Programme territory. Conference “Support to the Cross Border Cultural and Active Tourism in Latvia, Estonia and Russia” on the first day gathered more than 220 representatives from all over Programme territory. The second day the international project exhibition “Enjoy the Hansa Route through Latvia, Estonia and Russia” in the castle of Livonian Order with active participation of 18 supported projects attracted not only local tourists, but also guests from China, South Korea, South Africa, USA, France, Belgium, Germany, Russia, Ukraine and Lithuania.


For the second year the European Cooperation Day was widely celebrated by the Programme during whole September. 14 events were organised by 15 supported projects. To draw the attention to importance of sustainability of the Programme results the little green footprints have been left by the Programme in city environments of Pskov (Russia), Rezekne (Latvia) and Tartu (Estonia) while JTS in close cooperation with project “Green Man” and partners symbolically planted trees in remarkable park and recreation areas of the cities.


Annual Meeting of ENPI CBC Programmes with participation of Russia, Belarus and Ukraine as external partners of the European Union was hosted by JTS of ESTLATRUS Programme and took place in Lilaste, Latvia on 8 October 2013. Best implementation practices were exchanged among the Heads of JTSs and JMA of Karelia ENPI, Project Managers, Financial Experts and Information Managers. 

     “The strength of the team is each individual member.
The strength of each member is the team” - Phil Jackson


Historical decision to establish two Joint Programming Committees in order to begin preparation of two future Programmes of European Neighbourhood Instrument for  programming period 2014-2020 – ENI Estonia-Russia CBC Programme and ENI Latvia-Russia CBC Programme was taken on 10-11 April in Kuressaare, Estonia by Joint Monitoring Committee and preparation of two new Programmes have intensely started.


We wish continuation of fruitful cooperation, successful achievements in our common objectives in implementation of the ENPI Estonia-Latvia-Russia CBC Programme and enjoyment in teamwork!


Yours Joint Technical Secretariat