“Equal partners, equal structure ...... ”

International inter-regional co-operation between Sibiu (Romania), Deventer and Overbetuwe (The Netherlands)

Part 1: 1989-2001

Co-operation starts in 1989 - starting points and target groups  

• Start December 1989
• Citizens
• NGO’s
• Local, regional (and national) government
• Societal organisations
• Activities in several fields
• Permanent relations
• Respect and reciprocity
• Material support and structural co-operation
• Volunteers and professionals

Contactfamilies

• 1500 in the Netherlands, 1750 in Romania
• More than 12.000 people in contact
• Transports, bustravels
• Exchange of knowledge
• Stimulating private initiatives

Education

• Renovation projects schools
• Educational contributions
• Financial support
• Agreements of cooperation
• Exchanging teachers

Health

• Support of hospitals, old aged homes, children homes, doctors clinics
• Financial support

Economical development

• Water supply projects
• Agricultural projects
• (Agro-) Tourism projects (rural area)
• Linking small enterprises
• Transfer of know how

Women activities

• Development and emancipation
• Stimulating agro tourism
• Language courses
• Cultural activities
• Exchange of know how

Sport, Culture and Welfare

• Networks and structures (30 relations)
• Exchanges in sport and culture
• Theatre, music, film, art, walking-
• travels, seminars, exhibitions
• Welfare projects

Part 2 : since 2001 - ......

2001 – Evaluation, goals set and steps taken for improving co-operation

• Adopting a more demand driven approach
• Making choices and setting priorities
• Better use of know how, experiences and potentials
• Recognition of limits on both sides
• Improving communication

• Agreed principles
• Geographical boundaries
• Agreements for co-operation
• Platforms, central team/working unit
• Three years work-plan (2001-2004)
• Integral programs

Working area Romania

• District of Sibiu, mainly focussed on the town of Sibiu, Cisnadie, Selimbar area and Marginimea Sibiului

Working area The Netherlands

• Provinces of Overijssel and Gelderland, mainly focussed on the town of Deventer and rural area and Overbetuwe area

Sub-program interregional co-operation – Sibiu since 2001

• October 2001 - 80 participants representing 50 organizations
• Agreement promotion Romania/District Sibiu in the Netherlands 
• Follow-up in February 2002 in Deventer during Central and Eastern Europe Fair and Conference
• Presentation and agreement  renewed model for co-operation

• October 2002 - 88 participants representing 50 organizations
• Update “The actual situation regarding the interregional co-operation…”;
• by central teams Romania and the Netherlands

Neighbourhood Management Fund and Rural Development Fund (Pilot-) Projects 2000-2005

• Since 2000 : 56 (pilot-)project proposals were sent from Sibiu to Deventer and Overbetuwe, accepted and implemented

Sub-program Neighbourhood Management / citizens participation since 2001

Results:

• Memorandum of Understanding Administrations and Partners Sibiu and Deventer signed 10th November 2000
• Funds from Dutch partners for pilot projects 2001-2005
• (Pilot-) projects
• Evaluation

Sub-program Local Social Welfare since 2003

• Program implementing social services in Sibiu County 

Sub-program Rural development – citizens’ participation since 2001

Results:

• Seminars 2001 Rasinari with 54 participants / 36 organizations and 2003 Saliste
• Workshops: tourism, small business, agriculture and sheepbreeding
• Memorandum of Understanding regarding collaboration on local economic development, signed by 17 organisations from local administration, private sector and NGO´s
• Funds from Dutch partners for (pilot-) projects     

Sub-program Strengthening Local Administration (1)

• Union of Dutch Municipalities / VNG International - know how exchange programs

                   (2002- 2005) funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

• To continue and strengthen our co-operation and support Romanian partners in applying for EU funds like Matra, Sappard etc.

• To support  the programs Neighbourhood Management and Citizins Participation,

                  Development local economy rural area, Implementing Social Services, Transparancy and
Integrity and initiatives within these frameworks

Sub-program Strengthening Local Administration (2)

• Fact finding mission to County of Sibiu and Municipality of Sibiu - 2005

Sub-Program Culture, Tourism and Education - Participation City and County of Sibiu in Central- and Eastern Europe Fair and Conference Deventer in 2002, 2004 and 2006

Issues:  

• Europe and the transition-process (related to Central and Eastern Europe Fair
• and Conference in Deventer)
• Interregional cooperation regions Sibiu- Deventer and Overbetuwe
• Culture on policy- and practical level
• Promotion Romania, city of Sibiu, Marginimea Sibiului in the Netherlands

Co-operation Municipallities of Sibiu and Deventer

• 2005 - Twinning-agreement agreed between cities of Deventer and Sibiu
• 2007 – Twinning-agreement to be signed on 22nd May 2007 in Sibiu

Co-operation Romanian and Dutch Embassy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Activities/results:

• Workshops “World of Funds”
• GIM/GST funds
• Matra
• Support  cultural projects like “Dutch House” and SIBIU European Cultural Capital 2007

Co-operation Dutch Government, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

• 26th November 2003: visit to Sibiu by Mr. Jan Peter Balkenende,  Prime Minister of the Netherlands meeting Mr. Constantin  Morar, President County of Sibiu, Octavian Rusu, Marina Bogdan and Mihaela Popa (members central team Interregional cooperation Sibiu (Romania) – Deventer/Overbetuwe (the Netherlands)