Regional Development Agency of the Prešov Self-Governing Region is a professional association of legal entities founded by the Foundation Agreement dated 3rd January 2005 and By-Laws dated 3rd January 2005, for the purposes of coordinating activities, including financial activities, at a regional and local level for support and development of the Prešov Self-Governing Region and region NUTS II – Eastern Slovakia.
The founding members are:
- the Prešov Self-Governing Region and
- the University of Prešov in Prešov.
Basic functions and scope of activities:
- The association has been founded to support economic and social development of the Prešov Region and region NUTS II – Eastern Slovakia, with regard to the state structural, regional, social, industrial and technical policy.
- The association is a non-profit entity.
Scope of the activities of the association:
The association coordinates all activities, including financial activities, at regional and local level aimed at supporting and development of the Prešov Region and regiona NUTS II – Eastern Slovakia. In this connection, it focuses on:
- preparation and coordination of work on the development of strategic documents concerning regional development in Prešov Region and region NUTS II – Eastern Slovakia,
- preparation of regional development programmes and projects in agreement with strategic documents of the European Commission, the Slovak Republic Government and the Prešov Self-Governing Region,
- provision of consultancy services related to the preparation and implementation of programmes and projects,
- coordination of work on the preparation of programmes, projects and other documents assigning them to external companies and consultants,
- all-round contribution to the development of integration awareness in citizens on the principles of building a common Europe,
- active contribution to the regional development, the development of small and medium enterprise, the development of tourism in accordance with the principles of partnership and sustainable development,
- implementation and supporting implementation of approved projects and programmes,
- active support, evaluation of regional development projects,
- active search for and support of financially, technically, material, professionally and ecologically sustainable projects,
- providing information to appropriate entities within the region on the availability of specific programmes and projects,
- organization of trainings focusing on the increase of a European regional policy awareness, on the support possibilities of regional development and on the extension of administrative potential dealing with the preparation and gaining of EU funds within the region,
- promotion of the region in the country and abroad and winning investors for the region,
- collecting, processing, meditation, and dissemination of information, theoretical knowledge and practical skills and experience, publishing activities,
- performance of brokerage, editorial, promotional and advertising activities within the scope of and in agreement with its mission of regional cultural establishment,
- preparation, coordination and implementation of cross-border cooperation activities,
- implementation of practical activities directed towards a regional development, support of employment rate,
- cooperation with all Slovak and foreign organizations and institutions interested in helping accomplish the function and aims of the Association.
Association bodies:
- Board of Association Members Representatives: Five members nominated by the Prešov Self-Governing Region and three members by the University of Prešov
- Board of Trustees: Four members nominated by the Prešov Self-Governing Region and one member by the University of Prešov
- Supervisory Board: Two members nominated by the Prešov Self-Governing Region and one member by the University of Prešov
The involvement of regional or local authorities is secured by the policy makers membership in the association’s bodies (Board of Association Members Representatives, Board of Trustees and Supervisory Board).
Representatives of association’s bodies that are nominated by the Prešov Self-Governing Region and the University of Prešov in terms of the By-laws of the Regional Development Agency are members of Regional parliament.
