In 2004 the Danish Government initiated a new assistance programme, the Danish Neighbourhood Programme. In this connection the Danish Government wished to strengthen the cooperation with Russia mainly by supporting public sector capacity building and economic development. In total, an amount of 140 mill. DKK has been allocated under the Neighbourhood Programme of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for programmes and projects in Russia during the years 2004-2007.Geografically, the Danish Neighbourhood Programme in Russia will mainly be concentrated in the Kaliningrad and Pskov Oblasts, but projects will also be carried out in other regions as well. Also covering Russia are the regional Caucasus programme under the Neighbourhood Programme and the Danish humanitarian assistance.
Under the Neighbourhood Programme 110 mill. DKK will be allocated for the Economic Development Support Programme in the Kaliningrad and Pskov Oblasts in 2005 - 2010. The overall objective of the Programme is to improve living conditions for the local population resulting from business development and job creation. The programme is developed in close co-operation between the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Russian partners and stakeholders. An international adviser will be posted to Kaliningrad and to Pskov respectively.
Under the Neighbourhood Programme 14 mill. DKK is allocated for support of indigenous peoples in Northern Russia. The Danish project holders for 2006 and 2007 will be selected at a later date. In addition, support is foreseen for a small number of specially targeted activities, e.g. exchange of civil servants, support for seminars etc.
A regional Caucasus programme 2005 – 07 under the Neighbourhood Programme supports stabilization efforts in the Caucasus region through the inclusion of particularly vulnerable groups in the general social, political and economical development of society. Assistance is being provided through the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) i.a. to a regional NGO-network that is implementing a range of smaller projects. Furthermore, in the Northern Caucasus region the programme supports cooperation between representatives of civil society and public authorities through the creation of a labour forum and a supporting secretariat. The assistance to the activities in the Northern Caucasus is expected to amount to app. 2.5 mill. DKK.
The Danish Refugee Council has also facilitated a 4 mill. DKK partnership programme between institutions of higher education in Chechnya and Denmark consisting of five partnerships that regard methodology development, IT upgrading and strengthened English language performance. The programme financed by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs is set for completion in 2006.
Denmark has provided humanitarian assistance to the Northern Caucasus region through the Danish Refugee Council since 1999. An amount of 10 million DKK has been allocated for 2006 and extension in 2007 and 2008 is foreseen. The programme covers four republics (Chechnya, Dagestan, Ingushetia and North Ossetia) with the main part of the programme concentrated in Chechnya. The programme includes internally displaced persons, refugees and returnees as well as affected local population. The programme includes both widespread relief activities and more geographically limited projects aimed at rehabilitation and (re)integration. A mixture of interventions is applied and may include: shelter, reconstruction of social infrastructure, small-scale communal infrastructure development or refurbishment, social activities, agriculture, income generation and capacity development activities.
As part of the humanitarian assistance the Danish Demining Group has since 2002 been involved in a mine-risk education and awareness programme with a budget of 5.6 million DKK including for 2006.
To read more about the Neighbourhood Programme please visit the official website:Danish: www.naboskabsprogrammet.um.dkEnglish: www.neighbourhoodprogramme.um.dk
