Atlas úspěšných projektů spolufinancovaných
z Operačního programu Infrastruktura

The Operational Programme Infrastructure Passes the Baton

Projects supported from the EU from 2004-2006

The Operational Programme Infrastructure (the OPI) was one of five operational programmes in the Czech Republic during the 2004-2006 programming period. The drawing of subsidies under this programme was very successful. The programme’s global objectives were protecting the environment, improving the state of the environment and developing and improving transport infrastructure.

Over CZK 4 billion for the environment from 2004-2006

The environment was covered by Priority 3 – Environmental Infrastructure Improvement, implemented by the Ministry of the Environment and the State Environmental Fund of the Czech Republic (SEF). Municipalities and their associations, regions, state enterprises, organisations financed from the state budget, non-governmental non-profit organisations, state entities, and the organisational units of the state were eligible to apply for aid in the following areas:

• 3.1. Recovery of Environmental Functions of the Landscape
• 3.1.A Revitalization of watercourses, adaptations aimed at recovering the function of spring areas and wetlands, construction and recovery of retention reservoirs and dry polders
• 3.1.B Elimination of migration barriers for wildlife animals in the watercourses
• 3.2. Water Management Infrastructure Improvement
• 3.2.A Build-up and modernization of waste water treatment plants (WWTP) and extension of sewerage systems
• 3.2.B Drinking water supply to the municipalities
• 3.2.C Construction of waste water treatment plant sludge processing facilities
• 3.3. Air Protection Infrastructure Improvement
• 3.3.A Application of environment-friendly combustion technologies
• 3.3.B Reduction of emissions of volatile organic compounds
• 3.3.C Use of renewable sources of energy
• 3.4. Waste Management and Rehabilitation of Old Ecological Burdens
• 3.4.A Construction of integrated system for collection and recycling of waste
• 3.4.B Rehabilitation of old ecological burdens

The amount earmarked from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and designated to Priority 3 was EUR 193 483 171 (almost CZK 4 billion). 221 out of 699 projects that submitted applications were approved. The State Environmental Fund provided 10% co-financing to the supported projects and also granted loans. Almost CZK 542 million was provided to projects that were approved by the State Environmental Fund.

Calls for applications were announced between 2004 and 2006, while 2007 and 2008 were reserved for the finalisation of projects and their financing. 94% of all approved projects’ costs were paid to applicants.

The most support went to the Central Bohemian Region

The largest number of projects was implemented in the recovery of environmental functions of the landscape; nevertheless, the most costly projects were implemented in water management infrastructure, where subsidies totalled over CZK 2.2 billion. The distribution of funds is shown in the following chart and table.

Projects co-financed from the OPI from 2004-2006 by measure (in thousands CZK)

The largest number of environmental improvement projects financed under the OPI was implemented in the Vysočina region; the most funds (CZK 870 million) went to the Central Bohemian Region. On the other hand, the fewest projects were submitted in the Karlovy Vary Region, which therefore obtained the lowest amount of funds.