AKIPRESS.COM - EU’s Eastern Partnership Territorial Cooperation Support Program was introduced in Brest, Belarus on 5 March, BelTA reported today.

The new initiative covers four regional programs between the border territories of six countries: Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine. The Belarus-Ukraine territorial cooperation program covers Brest and Gomel regions of Belarus and Volyn, Rivne, Zhytomyr, Kiev and Chernikhiv regions of Ukraine.

The EU allocates a total of €12.5 million for the program, including €3.3 million for Belarusian-Ukrainian projects. The minimal grant makes up €20,000, while the maximum grant is €200,000. The Best Project Competition will be announced in June 2014. The best projects will be implemented in 2015-2016.

The program’s aim is to solve common social and economic issues of border territories. Depending on the region, the priority will be given to the areas such as environment, healthcare, employment, development of cultural, educational and sport contacts.