News

  • Taking account of border towns in the national programme “Small Towns of Tomorrow”

    MOT

    Taking account of border towns in the national programme “Small Towns of Tomorrow”

    March 2021

    In October 2020, the MOT was tasked by the National Agency for Territorial Cohesion and the Banque des Territoires as an “action partner” in the national programme “Small Towns of Tomorrow”.

  • Restrictions at France’s borders: cross-border living areas finally recognised

    COVID-19

    Restrictions at France’s borders: cross-border living areas finally recognised

    February 2021

    Since 31 January 2021, anyone entering France, including from other European countries, must be in possession of a negative Covid test obtained within the previous 72 hours. However, this obligation does not apply to the inhabitants of cross-border living areas (for journeys lasting less than 24 hours) or to cross-border workers.

  • Supporting the development of cross-border projects along the Grand Est Region's borders

    MOT

    Supporting the development of cross-border projects along the Grand Est Region's borders

    January 2021

    On 9 October 2020, the final conference relating to the study “Analysis of the contributions made by the 2014-2020 cross-border cooperation programmes in the Grand Est Region”, led by the Region within the framework of the European programme Europ'Act and coordinated by the MOT and the Euro-Institut, brought together in the form of a webinar around one hundred participants.

  • Greater Region – The future of cooperation in the fields of higher education and research

    TERRITORIES

    Greater Region – The future of cooperation in the fields of higher education and research

    January 2021

    A declaration of intention on the future of institutional cooperation in the fields of higher education and research in the Greater Region was signed on 25 November 2020 in Saarbrücken, at a ministerial conference held under Saarland’s presidency. At the conference, the ministers and representatives from the five partner regions took stock and discussed the consequences of the health crisis for cross-border cooperation between higher education and research institutions.

  • Opinion of the Grand Est Regional Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESER) on cross-border civil society

    TERRITORIES

    Opinion of the Grand Est Regional Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESER) on cross-border civil society

    December 2020

    At its plenary assembly in October, the Grand Est CESER adopted an opinion on cross-border civil society. The MOT had been formally heard as part of the preparation of this publication.

  • MOT

    MOT study on the cross-border occupational mobility of refugees and European residents

    December 2020

    This study was undertaken within the framework of the legal component of the “AB Réfugiés” project, which is led by the province of West Flanders and funded by the Interreg France-Wallonie-Vlaanderen programme. In the light of the disparities in unemployment on either side of the Franco-Belgian border and the difficulties that can be involved in obtaining a residence or work permit, the study provides an analysis of the legal frameworks pertaining to these statuses and obstacles to mobility.

  • A preliminary assessment of Cross-Border Cooperation Strategies along France's borders

    PUBLICATION

    A preliminary assessment of Cross-Border Cooperation Strategies along France's borders

    October 2020

    Following the adoption of the first four Cross-Border Cooperation Strategies (Schémas de Coopération Transfrontalière – SCT) by the Nice, Strasbourg and Lille Metropolises, as well as by the Basque Country Conurbation Community, the MOT and its partners embarked on the drafting of a preliminary assessment of these initiatives that has resulted in a publication, co-written with each of these groupings of municipalities.

  • End of the uncertainty around homeworking for cross-border workers

    End of the uncertainty around homeworking for cross-border workers

    September 2020

    In the context of the health crisis, all of the neighbouring countries have sought to encourage homeworking. Good news for cross-border workers: the legal uncertainty regarding the social security system governing cross-border workers has been removed until 31 December 2020.

  • Exchanging views and experiences to shape the future

    TERRITORIES

    Exchanging views and experiences to shape the future

    June 2020

    The current crisis across Europe has sparked criticisms, divisions and inconsistencies between countries, with significant impacts on the lives of people in border regions. However, the European Union – which is working to restart activity – is there to restore free movement in Europe, which is indispensable for the development of European citizenship. As a central part of the recovery, we need to rethink the challenges of the post-Covid period, such as education, agriculture, healthcare, trade, eco-friendly mobility and sustainable development.

  • Editorial by Loïc Delhuvenne, Director of the Lille-Kortrijk-Tournai Eurometropolis
  • A publication by the MOT: The Covid-19 crisis on French borders

    MOT

    A publication by the MOT: The Covid-19 crisis on French borders

    June 2020

    The MOT has published an analysis of the consequences for cross-border territories of the health crisis – the result of a call for experiences issued to all of its members. Organised in three main parts, it aims to set out the impacts, difficulties and initiatives linked to the management of the Covid-19 health crisis in cross-border territories.

  • COVID-19

    Calls for an easing of border restrictions

    May 2020

    While a circular issued by France’s Prime Minister, Edouard Philippe, dated 12 May has just extended France’s internal border controls until 31 October 2020,1 there have been growing calls to give attention to the difficulties faced in border territories, notably for the 360,000 cross-border workers who cross the French border every day to work in a neighbouring country.

  • COVID-19

    Players in cross-border territories have their say

    May 2020

    "The coronavirus crisis is putting our European ideals to the test, and obliges us to invent tomorrow’s world. We need to think, in the design of our policies, about the impact of our decisions on our neighbours."

  • The MOT's maps showing the easing of lockdown measures along France's borders

    COVID-19

    The MOT's maps showing the easing of lockdown measures along France's borders

    May 2020

    The MOT has published on its website and on social media a series of maps showing the situation with respect to the easing of lockdown measures along France’s borders.

  • The Lille European Metropolis’s Cross-Border Cooperation Strategy – an opportunity to rethink its cross-border strategy

    TERRITORIES

    The Lille European Metropolis’s Cross-Border Cooperation Strategy – an opportunity to rethink its cross-border strategy

    April 2020

    The need to draw up a Cross-Border Cooperation Strategy was an opportunity for the Lille European Metropolis to rethink its cross-border strategy and regional leadership in this regard. In order to better assess the aspirations and orientations of its Cross-Border Cooperation Strategy, in 2016 the MEL commissioned the MOT to help prepare it, and set up a technical committee bringing together central government, the Region and the Department as well as the territories and urban planning agencies along the Franco-Belgian border.

  • COVID-19

    Franco-Belgian coordination

    March 2020

    In France, since Tuesday 17 March at 12 noon, for a period of at least fifteen days, and in Belgium, since Wednesday 18 March at 12 noon and at least until 5 April, any unjustified leave from home, any friendly and family meetings and all gatherings are prohibited, on pain of a fine for offenders.

  • "Together, Let's Discuss the Added Value of EU Programmes For Our Border Territories"

    MOT

    "Together, Let's Discuss the Added Value of EU Programmes For Our Border Territories"

    February 2020

    The MOT and Euro-Institut are carrying out a capitalisation study on behalf of the Grand Est region, funded by the Europ’Act technical assistance programme. Within this framework, three seminars have been held: in Strasbourg on 4 December, in Metz on 3 February, and in Charleville-Mézières on 10 February.

  • MOT

    Cross-border strategies being drawn up in cross-border urban areas

    January 2020

    The MAPTAM Act* enables border metropolises to draw up a Cross-Border Cooperation Strategy. Lille, Strasbourg and Nice have taken up this opportunity and have been working since 2018, with support from the MOT, on formulating a strategy to structure their cross-border policy. Other territories have followed suit such as the Basque Country Conurbation Community.

  • Network day in Lille on cross-border mobility

    MOT

    Network day in Lille on cross-border mobility

    November 2019

    At the invitation of the MOT, the CNFPT (National Centre for Territorial Public Administration) and the Lille-Kortrijk-Tournai Eurometropolis, 40 people gathered on 13 November in Lille to talk about cross-border transportation. The three sessions focused on: the need for the observation of flows and the reasons for travelling (work, shopping, leisure, healthcare); the challenges encountered in drawing up cross-border mobility strategies; and the breaking-down of the strategies into territorial projects.

  • The Nord Department celebrates 30 years of cross-border cooperation

    TERRITORIES

    The Nord Department celebrates 30 years of cross-border cooperation

    November 2019

    On Monday, 21 October 2019 at the Stablinski Velodrome in Roubaix, the Nord Department, West Flanders Province and Hainaut Province celebrated 30 years of cross-border cooperation.

  • Study on cross-border employment for the Lille European Metropolis

    MOT

    Study on cross-border employment for the Lille European Metropolis

    Septembre 2019

    The MOT has produced a study with the aim of informing the Lille European Metropolis about the socioeconomic features of Belgian Flanders, and the way its economic fabric and employment sector function.

  • Design'In – a project to revitalise city centres along the Franco-Belgian border

    TERRITORIES

    Design'In – a project to revitalise city centres along the Franco-Belgian border

    September 2019

    Within the framework of a project funded by the Interreg V France-Wallonie-Vlaanderen programme, the cities of Tournai, Mons, Courtrai and the Lille European Metropolis have set themselves the challenge of strengthening and stimulating the development of their city centres by making use of design.

  • TERRITORIES

    Franco-Belgian agreement on emergency services

    September 2019

    On 18 July 2019, framework agreement concerning the cross-border intervention of emergency services was signed by the Belgian Minister of the Interior, Pieter De Crem, and his French counterpart, Christophe Castaner.

  • The Commission has circulated orientation papers by border

    EUROPE

    The Commission has circulated orientation papers by border

    July 2019

    In the context of the preparation of its 2021-2027 programmes, DG REGIO has drawn up 38 Border Orientation Papers (BOPs) for all of the EU’s land borders. Six of these BOPs relate to France’s borders.

  • The Ardennes Department – a European and cross-border location