Evaluation of guidelines for the Nordic Council of ministers’ cooperation with Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania 2014-2016
The Guidelines for the Nordic Council of Ministers’ co-operation with Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania determine the activities of the Nordic Council of Ministers (NCM), and are regarded as a starting point for the development of joint ambitions and activities within Nordic-Baltic cooperation.
The aim of the research is to evaluate validity and compliance of the Guidelines with overall priorities of the Nordic countries and situation in three Baltics States, as well as to determine suitability and effectiveness of areas and instruments selected for cooperation.
The research evaluates the certain key areas defined by the Guidelines:
Education, research and innovation;
Business, cluster co-operation and creative industries;
The environment, climate and energy, including environmental conditions in the Baltic Sea and the promotion of effective environmental technologies and renewable sources of energy;
The international challenges faced by welfare societies. Possible areas of co-operation include combating human trafficking and the spread of HIV/AIDS; improving co-operation between police forces and public prosecution services; developing hospital services; and addressing demographic challenges in relation to, e.g. labour-market policy;
Cross-border regional co-operation to promote joint fundamental values, such as democracy, good governance, gender equality, freedom of speech and tolerance – both under Nordic–Baltic auspices and in relation to other neighbouring countries, including Belarus.
Based on the information collected The Analysis specifically reports on the costs and benefits experienced during the process of implementation.
Evaluation was based on method of desk research and interviews with experts, as well as the focus group discussions. The outcome of the research provides analytical evaluation on:
Correlation among the general objectives of the Guidelines, activities implemented and accordingly – achievements of the cooperation;
NCM structure of administrative and financial mechanisms, intended for supporting cooperation of Nordic countries with Baltic States;
NCM co-financed major cooperation activities of Nordic countries and Baltic States.
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