The priority axis of the water and waste management infrastructure is co-financed from the Cohesion Fund in the total amount of 626 million euros. The Ministry of the Environment is the 1st level intermediate body and Environmental Investment Centre the 2nd level intermediate body.
The most significant amount – 477 million euros is given to develop the water management infrastructure. Water and sewer pipes, drinking water and sewage treatment facilities are reconstructed and built in several Estonian settlements.
Fields to be supported:
- reconstruction of drinking water supply system, which serves more than 50 inhabitants;reconstruction of public sewage system of waste water collection areas with the pollution load less than 2,000 population equivalents
- building and reconstruction of public water supply and sewerage system of waste water collection areas with the pollution load of 2,000 and more population equivalents.
- a project with eligible costs of at least 958,674.73 euros.
178.9 million euros of support is to be used to organise waste management.
Activities to be supported:
- Closure of inadequate non-hazardous waste landfills. Assistance is given to improve the landfills that are not in conformity with the environmental requirements referred to in Annex 4 of the Waste Management Plan 2008-2013 and regarding the closure of which a decision has been made by the environment agency or the Environmental Board. Support is allocated through an open call.
- Establishment of waste management centres (for non-hazardous waste) with land filling area in South-East Estonia. Projects that meet the requirements of the National Waste Management Plan 2008-2013 and the waste management plan of the local government, which reflect the activities necessary for the development of waste management in the city or rural municipality, are funded. Support is allocated through an open call.
- Enlargement of regional waste management centres with land filling area Enlargement of regional waste management centres with land filling areas that serve South-East Estonia have been supported since 16th July 2009. Projects that meet the requirements of the National Waste Management Plan 2008- 2013 and the waste management plan of the local government are funded. Support is allocated through an open call.
Reduction of waste generation, development of waste collection, sorting and recycling
Activities to be supported:
- construction of a waste disposal centre, a transfer station or a waste plant in case of which the amount of eligible costs is at least 319,558.24 euros (5 million EEK);
- recycling of sorted bio-waste;
- development of recycling waste, where recycling options have been absent or few, which is related to reaching the target figures of waste recycling and reuse established by legislation.
Development of infrastructures and support systems of sustainable use of environmental resources
The activities of the priority axis are co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) with a total of 92 million euros. The Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of the Interior are the 1st level intermediate bodies and the Environmental Investment Centre is the 2nd level intermediate body.
Conservation of biodiversity of nature. Support is allocated through the programme, the investment plan and an open call. In the open application round non-governmental organisations (NGO, Foundation) active in the field of nature protection and local governments are eligible to apply.
Activities to be supported:
- restoration of habitats of protected areas and of habitats and populations of the species of protected areas, specified in the management and action plans, and construction or reconstruction of the infrastructure required for preservation and restoration of habitats and for preservation of the landscape of the protected natural objects;
- acquisition of a herd required for preservation of habitats;
- controlling the abundance of the non-native species according to the action plan;
- restoration of a favourable condition of protected natural single objects and landscapes;
- restoration and reconstruction of protected parks;
- construction of the infrastructure, which creates possibilities for visiting natural objects of protected areas, which are specified in the management and action plans.;
- renovation of the infrastructure which creates possibilities for visiting natural objects of protected areas.
