50 requirements, transport costs and time constraints, as well as language problems. Other obstacles include differences in systems between the two countries affecting the projects, difficulties including partners from other countries (Finland/Sweden) without access to own funding, changes in project staff during the project implementation period, and others. When looking separately at responses made by Russian and Norwegian respondents, some important differences can be observed. Russians tend to stress bureaucratic obstacles in the local setting much more often than is the case with Norwegian respondents. This is hardly surprising since the projects are implemented in Russia and permissions are often needed from Russian authorities. Norwegians more often complain about problems of communication, low level of funding, and lack of human resources than is the case with Russian respondents. Other items have a more uniform distribution. For example, complaints of lack of commitment are equally likely to be directed towards people from own country as from the partners abroad.
2.7
The Barents Secretariat administration
Although applications are sent to the Barents Secretariat office in Kirkenes, the local offices have an important role in guiding the applicants before the submission of an application, and to follow up on the activities in the local setting. Nevertheless, of those who report contact with the staff of the Barents Secretariat, the office in Kirkenes is the one that the applicants have most contact with. Even a considerable proportion of Russian respondent have more contact with the Kirkenes office than any other offices, as shown in Table 2.7.
NIBR Report 2008:4
