The basic objective of this priority axis is to alleviate the isolation of the mountain regions, reduce the intra-regional disparities and support development in less developed rural areas of the Region, promote and exploit the local advantages in these areas and create sustainable conditions for the local populations.

In the context of this priority axis, special emphasis is placed on the integrated interventions in mountain or remote areas. The funds available for these programmes amount to 4.9% of the total public expenditure of the programme and come from the funds of all three Structural Funds (EAGGF, ERDF, ESF).

The integrated interventions will concern mountain or remote areas which will be determined based on criteria that will be approved by the Monitoring Committee of the Central Macedonia ROP 2000 - 2006.

The method for implementing the integrated programmes will be determined in the context of the general principles of the model which will be used by the Ministry of Agriculture and agreed with the Central Macedonia Regional Authority.

Priority Axis 6 comprises 11 Measures, as follows:

Measure 6.1. Improvement of farm competitiveness

Improving the income of producers, maintaining employment in agriculture and protecting the natural and rural environments are the objectives of Measure 6.1, the financing of which is estimated at 4.9% of the public expenditure of the priority axis. The measure includes the following actions: investments in farms aimed at reducing production costs, improving product quality, protecting the environment and improving the living and sanitary conditions of the animals.

Measure 6.2. Investments for improving the competitiveness of enterprises producing and selling agricultural products

The objective is to maintain and develop the local economy through investments that increase the added value of local agricultural production through their processing - standardization - trade at a local level. This objective is implemented through Measure 6.2, which represents 5.7% of the public expenditure of the priority axis. The measure includes investments in integrated low-budget plans that aim to develop the processing activity for local agricultural production by establishing new units and by modernizing the existing ones and to ensure compliance with conditions of hygiene and protection of public health.

Measure 6.3. Investments for improving and rationalizing the logging, processing and trading of forestry products

The exploitation of the forest resources and the concurrent increase of the added value of products will be achieved through investments that aim at improving the working conditions of forest workers, the rationalization of logging and in general the improvement of conditions of storage, transport and exploitation of the forestry products. Provision of aid for these investments, which will have a small budget, is the scope of Measure 6.3, the financing of which amounts to 0.8% of the public expenditure of Priority Axis 6.

Measure 6.4. Land reclamation projects - Water resource management in agriculture

Measure 6.4 represents 9.6% of the public expenditure of the priority axis and relates to areas where integrated programmes are implemented. The objectives of the measure are to protect and exploit natural resources in rural areas and in particular soil resources, to alleviate the water shortage problem at local level, to retain and use rainwater during critical periods for agriculture and to limit soil erosion phenomena, to serve existing needs in terms of water resources in the farming sector and the wider rural sector, as well as to reduce water losses. In the context of land reclamation projects, the policy and type of actions which will be implemented will be suitably adapted to the special characteristics and needs of each area. In the context of water resource management, aid will be provided for the construction of small dams, small water reservoirs and necessary networks and/or the improvement of existing ones.

Measure 6.5. Support actions for the rural economy and rural population

Measure 6.5 represents 4.3% of the total public expenditure of Priority Axis 6. This Measure includes support actions (in the areas where integrated programmes are implemented) which aim to provide incentives for improving the quality of agricultural produce which tends to add value to agricultural production, with the aim of agricultural production adapting to consumer demand which increasingly attributes particular importance to quality, as well as actions aiming at providing technical support to the agricultural sector via soft actions which improve the performance and professionalism of agricultural activity and which contribute to its long-term viability and actions to improve the quality of life of residents. In the context of bolstering trade in quality agricultural produce, aid will be provided for market research, product conceptualisation and design studies as well as for the establishment of quality assurance systems, systems based on risk analysis and critical control point analysis (HACCP) or environmental control systems. In the context of basic services, actions could include the organization of contests and local traditional events, the dissemination of new techniques (small scale pilot projects or demonstration projects), consultancy fees, the provision of agricultural management services and replacement services on farms, day care centres to assist female farmers, the creation of networks and points of information for the rural population or (small scale) services to upgrade health care.

Measure 6.6. Renovation and development of villages, protection and preservation of rural heritage

Measure 6.6 relates to aid for protecting and promoting the traditional local housing environment in the countryside and protecting and preserving rural heritage. Actions under this measure will not have a piecemeal character but will relate to global interventions which will aim at preserving the traditional image of villages, local architecture and rural heritage based on evidence, while at the same time being completely compatible with the objective of local economic development. Such actions may include the preparation of planning designs with an integrated approach, renovation of traditional elements of the local housing environment, protection and preservation of traditional elements of the rural heritage, such as water mills, windmills, bridges, etc., as well as preservation of traditional rural tasks and customs. Measure 6.6 accounts for 12.2% of the public expenditure of the priority.

Measure 6.7. Entrepreneurship support in rural areas and protection of the rural environment

The objectives of Measure 6.7 are to provide the potential for the creation of multiple activities or for residents in intervention areas to acquire alternative incomes in order to reduce underemployment, to create equal opportunities, to improve incomes and retain the rural population in the countryside. Moreover, the measure aims to create the potential for employment in sectors apart from agriculture for residents in these areas and to create appropriate conditions so that new residents and enterprises are attracted and establish themselves there. Finally, aid will be provided for actions which aim to protect and promote ecologically sensitive areas and to protect the natural environment. The measure accounts for 18.9% of the public expenditure of Priority Axis 6.

Measure 6.8. Development and improvement of infrastructure related to agricultural development

Measure 6.8 represents 1.6% of the public expenditure of the priority axis. The objective of the measure is the improvement of the necessary infrastructure for the development of agriculture and the improvement of the working conditions of the rural population. It may include infrastructure projects for the construction and improvement of rural roads connecting villages with farms and provincial networks as well as actions relating to the electrification of rural communities including connecting farms with the national network.

Measure 6.9. Actions for the development of mountain areas with emphasis on creating mountain development centres

The objective of Measure 6.9, which is co-funded by the ERDF, is to supplement the necessary infrastructure for improving living conditions in mountain areas with the aim of creating the conditions to retain the population and to develop social activities. It includes actions to supplement infrastructure, particularly in the centres of small mountain regions, to meet the needs in terms of basic services (health care, welfare, education and training, recreation and culture, contact with public administration). It also includes actions which supplement infrastructure for water supply, sewerage systems and roads. These are projects which are prerequisites for the creation of development centres on mountains, and the absolute minimum for living in a mountain community. Actions may include infrastructure for basic social services, water supply and sewerage systems for communities, management of urban waste and liquid waste as well as roads connecting municipalities. The measure accounts for 15.1% of the public expenditure of the priority axis.

Measure 6.10. Improving access to mountain centres

The alleviation of the isolation (where existent) of the mountain regions by reducing the time required to reach them is the objective of Measure 6.10, which is co-founded by the ERDF, and represents 19.6% of the total public expenditure of Priority Axis 6. The measure includes actions supplement the road network connecting villages among themselves and access to main road networks in the prefecture with the aim of improving road communication conditions between communities and centres in the wider area. Included are actions for interregional road building (small mountain regions) as well as road building projects for connection with the main road networks in the area.

Measure 6.11. Special rural development actions

Measure 6.11 is co-funded by the ERDF and accounts for 7.2% of the public expenditure of the priority axis. The measure relates to the implementation of support actions under the ESF in the context of integrated interventions which will be financed by the ERDF or EAGGF under Priority Axis 6 of the Regional Operational Programme. These actions aim to retain the population in mountainous or remote areas and preserve social cohesion as well as to improve and increase employment opportunities while at the same time differentiating economic and productive activity. In the context of this measure, actions for training, re-training, advice services, subsidies for employment and self-employment will be financed. There is also provision for positive action to promote employment among women and in general.