Cross-border cooperation is one of the key policy orientations of the European Committee of the Regions, and it plays a significant role in European integration.
Many new opportunities have arisen for the border regions since the Single Market was established in 1992, and these regions have grown economically thanks in part to the Interreg programme, which was initiated three years earlier.
Nevertheless, many obstacles to cross-border life remain. Citizens and businesses in border regions continue to encounter difficulties in their daily lives, whether it be finding a job, accessing healthcare, everyday commuting or overcoming administrative problems.
What is the European Cross-Border Platform?
To underline the needs of the border regions and their citizens, the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) has just launched the European Cross-Border Platform (ECBP), the successor of the European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC) Platform, which aims to gather all actors in cross-border cooperation from border cities and regions to EGTCs and Euroregions.
The newly established Platform aims to create a new place for cross-border stakeholders to meet and discuss border communities’ unique circumstances and needs, allowing them to engage with the EU institutions through the European Committee of the Regions.
The Platform will advocate for new approaches and policy solutions for cross-border regions, contributing to their social and economic growth while building a common European cross-border future for border regions.
Who can join?
Border and cross-border cities and regions, European Groupings of Territorial Cooperation, Euro regions, Euro cities and Euro districts, cross-border working communities, associations and research institutes working on cross-border issues, and any other entity working on cross-border cooperation.
How to join?
You can complete the form here to participate in the platform’s work.
Participation is free of charge.
For more information, please get in touch with ECBP’s Secretariat at cross-border@cor.europa.eu
