The overall objective of the project:

EUFUND 2010 pilot project aims to support the internationalisation of project activities in North Karelia, upgrade the regional expertise and to enhance the participation of the main actors and development organisations in European projects.

Target groups:

Main regional actors and development organisations, for instance municipalities, educational bodies and regional development agencies in North Karelia.  Project services are directed to all North Karelian organisations that have potential to operate internationally.

Duration and funding source:

November 1st 2007 to 31st of December 2010. Financed by the ERDF Operational Programme for Eastern Finland (Regional  Competitiveness and Employment Objective).

Activities and measures:

1. Counselling and guidance concerning projects, project applications and EU programmes

2. Evaluation of EU project applications as well as enhancing regional participation in international project activities through active information delivery.

3. Assistance for ongoing projects (within the limits of EUFUND personnel resources)

4. Report 1: Support structures for international project work in North Karelia post 2010

5. Report 2: Solutions for setting up a “match-funding-fund” for international projects of the region

6. Participating in the work of the North Karelia European Strategy Group from the viewpoints of projects and networks

Expected outcomes:

The strategic concept of the EUFUND 2010 project is to bring added value to North Karelian regional development work by enriching organisational knowledge on international EU  programmes and their financial mechanisms, evaluating endeavours undertaken so far by the interested regional actors and by designing new action models based on innovation, knowledge transfer and organisational learning.