Funds and Instruments

The Central European Initiative, over the years, has established a variety of funds and instruments for accomplishing the goals set by the CEI Plan of Action. These funds and instruments are contributed both on obligatory or voluntary basis by the Member States. These financial resources have supported the implementation of numerous activities of both small and large scale, ranging from seminars and workshops to training courses and field studies to technical assistance and feasibility studies linked to large investment projects of international financial institutions. 
 
All CEI Member States annually contribute to the CEI Cooperation Fund, established by the MFA meeting in 2001. The Fund facilitates the implementation of the CEI principles and objectives within all areas of the CEI Plan of Action through the so-called CEI Cooperation Activities.

CEI Member States voluntarily contribute to two other Funds: the CEI Solidarity Fund, facilitating the participation of CEI representatives and experts in events and meetings either organised or sponsored by the CEI, and the CEI Special Fund on Climate and Environment Protection (CEI Climate Fund). The Climate Fund, established by the CEI Summit in 2007, aims at supporting projects in climate and environment protection in the 9 non-EU CEI countries. The Fund became operational in 2008 with the first contribution made by the Czech Republic.

The Italian Trust Fund at the EBRD, managed by the CEI-PS, promotes and monitors technical assistance assignments which are developed in support of EBRD investments. The CEI-PS, through its Trust Fund, also promotes and supervises “Development Programmes” in partnership with other International Financial Institutions (IFIs) and international organisations. Those partnerships specifically aim at strengthening the transfer of know-how, promoting reforms, economic transition, and finally the use and introduction of modern technologies. Within the Fund the CEI Know-how Exchange Programme (KEP) provides grant financing for projects related to capacity building and transfer of good practice to the non-EU Member States of the CEI. The Programme focuses on areas where institutions in the CEI donor countries have a longstanding experience, and the beneficiary states – the strongest need for assistance. Additional financing within the Programme is provided by the Austrian Development Agency (for the 2008-2010 period).
 
The CEI University Network (CEI UniNet) aims at facilitating cooperation among the universities and other institutions of higher learning by supporting teachers’ and students’ mobility through the implementation of Joint Programmes, such as PhDs and Master's courses, summer schools, seminars and workshops.
 
The CEI Science and Technology Network (CEI S&TN) operates through six renowned international research centres based in Trieste and their partner/affiliated institutions in other CEI countries. It offers young scientists, preferably from non-EU CEI countries, the opportunity to participate in PhD courses, training programmes and research activities.
 
Since 2004, the CEI Executive Secretariat has been promoting CEI participation in EU programmes. The Secretariat takes part in EU projects as a full-fledged partner by promoting horizontal institutional links with those countries not directly involved in the project and vertical links with central governmental authorities; assuring a know-how transfer and exchange of experiences; contributing to the dissemination of project activities and results throughout the CEI region.