European Territorial Cooperation (ETC) "Cross Border Cooperation" Belgrade 26 September 2014 Kostandinos Moussouroulis – DG REGIO An overview on ETC European Territorial Cooperation European Territorial Cooperation is central to the construction of a common European space, and a cornerstone of European integration. It has clear European added value: helping to ensure that borders are not barriers, bringing Europeans closer together, helping to solve common problems, facilitating the sharing of ideas and assets, and encouraging strategic work towards common goals. Thematic concentration Results oriantation sustainable inclusive Europe 2020 smart Thematic objectives/investment priorities 1. Research and innovation 2. Information and Communication Technologies 3. Competitiveness of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SME) 4. Shift to a low-carbon economy 5. Climate change adaptation and risk management and prevention 6. Environmental protection and resource efficiency 7. Sustainable transport and disposal of congestion on major network infrastructure 8. Employment and support for labour mobility 9. Social inclusion and poverty reduction 10. Education, skills and lifelong learning 11. Increased institutional capacity and effectiveness of public administration Cohesion Policy Financial Allocation 97,3 % Growth and Jobs €316.1 billion 1% & 3% ETC €9.5 billion Soft actions are mainly supported through ETC, but with a strong added value. Types of Cooperation Programmes Draft Commission Implementing decision on cooperation programmes 2014-2020: E.T.C. 60 CrossBorder €6.6 billion 15 Transnational €2.1 billion IPA CBC 4 Interregional €0.5 billion €9.2 billion €9,5 billion (2014-2020)* maximum co-financing rate: 85% 12 IPA-CBC €0.5 billion: (€0.242+ €0.242) ERDF IPA Cross Border Cooperation • Eligible zones: NUTS III (province) + maritime borders (>150km) • Funding for projects involving regions and local authorities on either side of a common border. Tourism activities play a key role. What about third countries?  As in current period, Member States (where appropriate) transfer part of their ERDF allocation to ENI and IPA II for the creation of joint programmes under a single instrument (ENI CBC, ENI Sea-basins, IPA II CBC)  Third countries through a contribution of IPA II or ENI resources may participate to CBC, transnational and interregional cooperation programmes. Interregional Cooperation ESPON European Observation Network for Territorial Development and Cohesion. It works with studying and predicting the development of the European territory. URBACT It deals with exchange between Europe's cities on integrated urban development. INTERACT It is the cooperation and exchange network for territorial cooperation programmes. INTERREG Europe It deals with exchange of experience and practice among regions with the view to improving CP under Ifgj Goal. . Transnational cooperation • Eligible zones: NUTS II (regions) • Objective: Strategic project for a bigger region, importance of the macroregional strategies • Special attention is given to outermost and island regions Transnational cooperation and MRSs Several macro-regions are being identified throughout the European territory, covering large areas across national borders. The EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea (EUSBSR) was adopted in October 2009; Region the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR) started its implementation in June 2011; the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR) will be ready by the end of 2014; The Alpine Strategy is under preparation. EUSDR pillars Pillar 1 Pillar 2 Pillar 3 Pillar 4 Connect the Region: Sustainable energy, culture-tourismp2p, mobility and multimodality Protecting the Environment Building Prosperity Strengthening the Region EUSAIR pillars Pillar 2 Pillar 1 Blue growth – (coordinated by Greece and Montenegro) Connecting the Region – (coordinated by Italy and Serbia) Pillar 3 Environmental quality – (coordinated by Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina) Pillar 4 Sustainable tourism – (coordinated by Croatia and Albania) Cross-cutting aspects 1. Capacity building including communication 2. Research and Innovation and SME development European Territorial Cooperation - Currently  More than 80 programmes with more than 800 projects.  CBC programmes grant more than 46 EGTCs.  ETC boosts the bottom up governance, because it mainly involves local and regional actors.  ETC underpins the use of Structural and Cohesion Funds in better addressing commonly identified challenges (among the countries and regions). 2000-2006+2007-2013: the most popular topics… In 2014-2020 ETC will capitalise on its partners • • • • • • • Local Public Authorities Regional Public Authorities National Public Authorities Non-Profit Organisations Private Enterprises Research Institutions Universities • % defined in 2007-2013 25% 19% 5% 23% 7% 6% 16% http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/index_en.cfm Thank you for your attention