News
"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.
Bringing together 250 participants, involved in cross-border issues by virtue of their commitments as project leaders or their functions within local and regional authorities or cross-border bodies, these three days enabled those present to compare their analyses on the implementation of projects in the Grand Est region and to reflect on possible improvements for the next programming period.
The meetings were an occasion to bring together players involved in each of the three cooperation spaces of which the Grand Est region is a part: the Franco-Belgian Ardenne, the Greater Region, and the Upper Rhine.
The discussions gave rise to a number of important observations on the progress of cooperation in the Grand Est, with the spotlight on projects highlighting both the growing needs linked to these territories and to their daily interactions across borders, and the interest of the territorial authorities concerned for the deployment of autonomous cross-border policies - guarantees for cohesion and development.
The collaborative workshops held each afternoon on the themes of project set-up, cross-financing linked to the different EU funds, and ensuring the sustainability of initiatives, highlighted several key issues linked to implementation. The strengthening of networks of potential partners, support from territorial authorities in the preparation of applications, and the participation of new players and of end users in projects notably emerged as proposals for future work.
A public conference relaying the findings of this study will take place on 11 May in Metz.
