Starting up - Preparation of Institutions for Regional Development and Cross-border Cooperation with

The purpose of the Project is to strengthen and develop non-governmental organisations in southern Slovakia, with the overall objective of developing the regions of southern Slovakia and strengthening the Slovak-Ukrainian cross-border cooperation. Reference is made to the application dated 23 March 2006, and correspondence with the Focal Point dated 16 January 2007, 30 March 2007, 21 May 2007 and 12 September 2007. The completed Project shall include the following activities and results: 1. Training program for Ukrainian NGOs based on transfer of Slovak best practice; 2. Implementation of a training programme for the integration of disabled people in the labour market; 3. Creation of a pilot activity on transferring know-how to NGOs on functional models of community funds and self-support mechanisms in local communities; 4. Creation of a sustainable development model for the sub-developed regions through a pilot project on eco-tourism within the Slovak Karst national park; 5. Creation of a Youth Office Program in rural areas to help graduated students get work experience and organise volunteer works in Slovakia, Hungary and Ukraine; 6. Provide information on the European Union and its programmes and funding schemes to NGOs, schools, and local communities in the border regions of Southern Slovakia; 7. Facilitate and support partnerships between NGOs in the Slovak-Hungarian-Ukrainian border region and help them develop projects; 8. Organisation of training programs in rural areas for NGOs; 9. Consultation, information and counselling services to the NGOs participating in the Project; 10. Training of the Project team; 11. Project publicity. The Project Promoter is the Civic Association Fundament (Obcianske združenie Fundament). The Focal Point shall ensure that the State budget of the Slovak Republic will provide at least 15 percent of the estimated eligible Project costs.