Romania - Bulgaria cross border cooperation programme 2007-2013, case study : ex post evaluation of Cohesion Policy programmes 2007-2013, financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Cohesion Fund (CF)

The Romania-Bulgaria CBC OP has included environmental protection under Priority Axis 2 'Environment- Sustainable use and protection of natural resources and environment and promotion of efficient risk management in the cross-border area'. To date, it has funded a total of 38 projects under this theme. Its importance within the programme's menu of thematic activities is illustrated by the fact that it accounts for a 30% share of that menu (only transport is ranked higher at 38%). The main achievements of the CBC programme regarding environmental protection have predominantly included development of joint strategies and procedures, purchase and use of specialised equipment to deal with environmental risks and emergency situations, training and awareness raising for various stakeholders (governmental and other public institutions, SMEs, NGOs and the general public) on specific environmental issues and emergency situations such as earthquakes and water pollution incidents that require joint, cross-border responses beyond the scope of domestic funding programmes. The programme's results and impacts in terms of environmental protection have largely been indirect in that it has helped establish conditions through which environmental protection can be enhanced over time. This has been done through investments in infrastructure development in cross-border regional emergency preparedness; purchasing common equipment for measuring/monitoring environmental parameters; institutional cooperation to harmonize activities; and establishing common structures for unexpected situations, emergencies requiring rapid response/intervention programme area (e.g. transport accidents, floods, fires, disasters, etc.).