WEST PANNON OPERATIONAL PROGRAMME (WPOP)

WEST PANNON OPERATIONAL PROGRAMME (WPOP)

WEST TRANSDANUBIA REGION The geography of the region comprising three counties (Győr-Moson-Sopron, Vas, Zala) at the country s western border, and adjacent to four countries (Austria, Croatia, Slovenia, Slovakia) is extremely diverse. Three geographic regions stretch across its area (Small Plain, Alpokalja ( feet of the Alps ) and the Transdanubian-Hills); the diverse landscape is rich in streams and still waters, and abounds in thermal and medicinal water. The three most significant rivers of the region are the Danube, the Raba and the Zala. The largest lake of Central-Europe, Lake Balaton is here, and also Lake Neusiedl. From among the eight World Heritage Sites of Hungary two are located in this region: the thousand-year-old Benedictine Pannonhalma Archabbey and the cultural region of Fertő/Neusiedl extending across the Austrian border. There are three national parks, five wildlife preserves and a number of nature reserves in the region. It is worth noting that West Transdanubia is also a pioneer in the establishment of nature parks. Currently there are some 2 300 monuments, one fifth of the total Hungarian monuments in the region, and this number is continuously increasing. The two historical (Sopron, Kőszeg) Hungarian towns that remain the most intact and also the two baroque towns, Győr and Szombathely, are located here. Buildings of special significance are the previously mentioned Pannonhalma Archabbey, a number of large aristocratic mansions (Fertőd, Körmend, Keszthely, Nagycenk), castles (Kőszeg, Egervár, Sárvár), and the intact early temples of Lébény and Ják. In the region 77 settlements belong to the historical wine-producing region, or are considered as wine-producing regions. The settlement structure of certain areas of the region together with the local land use is nationally unique and extremely diverse; this can be primarily attributed to the terrain and to the structure of transportation networks. The region that makes up some 10% of the country (11,328 km2) covers 20% of all the settlements (665), and 10% of the Hungarian population (998,000 people). Although, considering its population, West Transdanubia in terms of area, belongs to the smaller Hungarian regions, it is ranked second behind the Central Hungary region which also includes Budapest. In economic terms Győr is the most important town, although industrial parks have also been established in the larger towns and their immediate vicinity: there are currently 28 industrial parks and 21 clusters in the region, with the total area of industrial parks exceeding 1,500 hectares. The number of settled enterprises is dynamically increasing, offering currently 40,000 jobs. The per capita GDP increased by 20% in the region between 2004 and 2008, however, in 2008 -especially in Vas Countythe first signs of the economic crisis could already be felt, and the increase turned into a downward trend. The employment activity of the region s population is practically stagnating (57.8% in 2009). While in Győr-Moson-Sopron County employment improved by 3%, it decreased by 2.9% in Vas county, the county with the strongest base in 2004. Alongside the most important sectors of the region, since 2000 various clustering initiatives have been started. The West Transdanubia region is one of the regions, which is able to enhance its R+D performance in the most dynamic manner; its location is an outstanding factor in terms of its economic development processes, as well as offering particular opportunities for innovation at regional level. 35

OBJECTIVES, PRIORITIES OF THE OPERATIONAL PROGRAMME The comprehensive objective of the West Transdanubia Operational Programme is to establish an economic and public service infrastructure corresponding to the regional assets, by means of intentionally planned improvements and developments, in order to facilitate growth and employment. In the framework of the programme, within the comprehensive objective, additional specific objectives are also listed. This includes the establishment and maintenance of an economy based on local innovative resources and corporate networks, and the establishment and maintenance of tourism based on high quality services and heritage utilisation. An additional objective is the creation of a town network consisting of liveable towns that efficiently perform the function of regional centre; the establishment and maintenance of good environmental conditions; the safe accessibility of regional centres and sub-centres, and lastly the establishment of an infrastructure supporting the public services built upon the local features. In order to realise the objective, following priorities were identified in the Operational Programme: 1. Regional economic development 2. Tourism improvement Renewal of Pannon heritage 3. Urban development 4. Environmental and transport infrastructure 5. Improvement of local and regional public services 36

AGGREGATE RESULTS AT OPERATIONAL PROGRAMME LEVEL In the West Transdanubia Operational Programme HUF 136.7 billion is available (without Technical Assistance) for the entire programming period. In the period 2007 10 more that 92% of this was allocated. During the same period 64% of the allocated funds were committed. Through this, 694 applications were supported, the total cost of which is nearly HUF 126 billion. In the case of 85% of the committed amounts, the Support Contracts have already been concluded, with half of the amount of co-financing confirmed with a contract and already paid to the beneficiaries. 126,3 136,7 billion HUF 81,0 69,1 34,0 2007 2010 AP Budget 2007 2013 OP-Budget 2007 2010 Commitment 2007 2010 Contracted Support 2007 2010 Total Payment * Used exchange rate: 260 HUF/EUR ** Without Technical assistance During the 2007 10 period, by means of the support granted through the West Transdanubia Operational Programme, the area of industrial parks and industrial areas equipped with modern infrastructure increased by 80 hectares, 180 jobs were created and it became possible to maintain 1,322 jobs. The attendance of the supported tourist attractions increased by 465,771 visitors. More than 50 km of road was restored, and 23.4 km of new bicycle road was built. Through the interventions, a settlement rehabilitation project affecting 119,601 persons was realised. The number of inhabitants protected from flooding and rainwater damage within the scope of the supported projects was more than 35,400. Due to the health care infrastructure developments the number of patients attended with quality out-patient care increased by 6,266. By means of the support spent on the improvement of social protection 60 new day-nursery spaces were be established, and 20 spaces were refurbished. Support targeting the development of public education infrastructure affected more than 8,200 pupils. By means of the support 949 institutions could be made accessible, and the number of accessibly built or renovated classrooms was as high as 988. 37

West Transdanubia Operational Programme Results (2007 2010) Supported applications (pcs) Awarded support for supported applications (billion HUF) of supported applications (billion HUF) Applications with Support Contract (pcs) Contracted support of projects with Support Contract (billion HUF) Total cost of projects with valid, affective contract (billion HUF) Paid support (billion HUF) Total 596 86,379 132,265 488 69,061 100,746 34,027 38

SAMPLE PROJECTS Economic development (open call procedure) MNR Kft operates on 120 m2 at its current business site, which limits the further development of the company. Its main partner is Audi; in recognition of their high quality work Audi contracts a significant part of their capacity, which they would like to increase, thus MNR Kft decided to build a new factory after buying a plot of 2,275 m2 in the Győr Industrial Park. The modern building fully meets current requirements and is able to satisfy the needs of their partners. The facility has two storeys; its ground space is 1,104.51 m2 and offices, social and auxiliary premises complete the building. Within the fence the factory can be accessed on paved roads and sidewalks; 11 parking places will be established. By means of the investment project, the equipment park can be extended, thus the company will be able to broaden its product scope and also increase capacity. This project results annually in an additional HUF 15 million machinery investment, and as a result, the main objective to stabilise and to improve market position can be achieved. Tourism improvement (open call procedure) Within the application, the Népi Mesterségek Műhelye Egyesület will establish a Folk-story Park in Szalafő, on a nearly 10,000 m2 site. The park consists of seven buildings, which after the renovation, will offer the visiting tourists colourful programmes. In the storytale park complex, tourist services enriched with adventure elements, providing 39

active participation (folk-story tour, perceptual tour, storytale adventure, movie making, exhibition, maquette room, scenecraft, drama play, screening, crafts skills) will be available. Special attention will be paid to equal opportunities and the interactive information. The project provides both children and adults with a high quality, unique experience. In the course of the investment the heritage peasant house and additional six buildings hosting different programmes will be restored and furnished. After the court has been properly adapted, it will host open-air programmes. The sponsor of the application is István Csukás, Kossuth Prize award-winning author and poet. Tourism improvement (key project) Date of Support Contract Planned implementation date One of the most prevailing elements of the townscape of Mosonmagyaróvár is the 300 year old granary currently under national monument protection; it will be this building that will host the FUTURA project. Within the framework of the project altogether 2,319 m² are to be renovated in this four-storey structure, which will also be extended by two roller shaped four-storey new buildings of 13 m in diameter. In addition to this, new parking area will be provided. The central element of the project is the interactive natural science exhibition, which considering the content relates partially to the venue. Another element of the exhibition that will be created is a classic science show which will popularise the natural sciences using novel approaches for the dissemination of knowledge. In the new building, room will be provided for an auditorium with approximately 100 seats equipped with up-to-date education facilities and a temporal exhibition area where the most recent inventions can be exhibited. 40

Urban rehabilitation (open call procedure) The basis of the development of the historical downtown is the preservation of the cultural heritage values, ensuring the exhibition thereof and its utilisation. By renewing the cultural heritage protection environment, attention will be directed towards the value based urban development and to the future building that sets out from the cultural heritage by keeping historical continuity in mind. The key principle of the downtown development is to enable Fő Square (Várkör, Rákóczi Street) to offer a wide range of commercial-service provider functions, making this, Jurisics Square and the entire inner town area, considered as an area of historical importance, an everyday and lively public space. In order to achieve this, it is recommended to extend the economic functions and services by preserving the public service and residential status. Urban rehabilitation (key project) Planned implement. date As the consequence of the development: the town centre has been redeveloped with new street furniture, fountains, drinking fountain, security cameras, floodlighting and tree planting; the Széchenyi Square-Czuczor Street street façade of Szent Ignác Benedictine Church and priory have been renovated, the Műemlék Patika (historical pharmacy) has also been renovated and extended; new catering and service provider units have been established in the renovated Lloyd building; with the involvement of private capital, the Koktél Kávézó coffee-shop and ice cream producer has been renovated (establishment of a new catering unit and factory). 41

Environmental improvement (open call procedure) By satisfying the development needs the inhabitants living conditions, housing culture, and through this, their general health and social conditions will significantly improve. The public health issues relating to the abandoned waste disposal site will cease to exist. Beyond the technical requirements, the realisation of the planned project may also improve the requirements of the people living in the settlement for a cleaner, healthier environment. The extension of the Csónakázó-lake (rowing lake) in the immediate vicinity of the disposal site was given a water management implementation permit. As the result of the projects built upon on one another, at the currently neglected site, the recreation area of the town may be established within a few years. The size of the available connected area is over 50 hectares. Environmental improvement (key project) 42 Within the framework of the project, a 145 ha reservoir to reduce the flood-peak of the Gyöngyös-stream will be established between Kőszeg and Lukácsháza. The main purpose of the 2,405 m long reservoir built as the part of the investment project with valley dyke type embankment and water level controlling sluices, is to eliminate the incidence of flood related damages. The reservoir will hold back a significant amount of the flood waters which will only be released in quantities that can be safely drained into the bed of the stream without flooding the settlements and agricultural areas. With the implemented technical interventions the incidence of flood related losses will be eliminated in the settlements

along the Gyöngyös-stream and the Sorok-Perint (Lukácsháza, Gyöngyösfalu, Gencsapáti, Szombathely, Balogunyom, Sorkikápolna, Sorkifalud and Zsennye settlements). As a result, the current riversides can be safely utilised for building purposes as the flood risks will have been eliminated. Transport development (open call procedure) In cooperation with Zala Volán Zrt, the local community transportation service provider the Municipality of Nagykanizsa Town of County Rank intends to enhance the service quality of the local public transportation. As the expected result of the tender project 23 bus stops will be completely renewed, paying special attention to the compliance with the accessibility requirements. The application aims at increasing the number of users of public transportation as compared to those choosing individual means of transportation by improving the quality of service infrastructure, and thus successfully mitigating the traffic in the down town area, contributing to the more favourable maintenance conditions by increasing the number of passengers and the utilisation rate, and reducing the noise impact in the town. Social infrastructure development (open call procedure) Within the framework of the project, the former nursing home was renovated providing an area of 321 m2, and currently hosts the sub-regional integrated social services. The building has two storeys; in the course of the investment on the ground floor an information desk and main offices were established, while upstairs operates as day-care for disabled persons. The nursery home provides modern daytime conditions and care that meets high quality requirements. In 43

the course of the development, the building was made in all aspects accessible for those with disabilities; the upper floor is accessible via an elevator. In addition, the heating and water system was renovated and all the sanitary units were replaced. Disabled parking was also created. The most innovative unit of the planned investment project is the Stepping-stone, a therapeutic flat providing education for patients moving to independent living. This unit is designed to prepare physically disabled and persons with medium serious, or slight mental and other perceptual disability for an independent life, and to help to solve and overcome the physical, technical, economic, life issues and hindrances of everyday life under protected circumstances. Social infrastructure development (key project) Date of Support Contract Planned implementation date The Sárvár Municipal Hospital will establish a regional rehabilitation centre. Instead of the current two sites, it will focus on a single site and will perform a professional rationalisation in cooperation with the surrounding regional (Celldömölk) and central (Szombathely) hospitals, by means of which it will be able to provide public financed rehabilitation services that is unique both in Vas county and in the region. As the result of the investment project, the centre will oversee all the therapeutic units that are required for rehabilitation care. In addition to the reconstruction affecting one third of the existing buildings, a new three-storey building will be also built. The investment project will cover the development of IT services and also includes asset purchase, through which medical instruments, devices and furniture will be modernised. 44