EGTC CODE24. European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation as An EU- Tool for Interregional Cooperation

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1 CODE24 EGTC European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation as An EU- Tool for Interregional Cooperation Presentation Courtesy of Code24 Lead Partner and adapted by Detlef Golletz Strategic Initiative Colaboration between Code24 and WeastFlows Interreg IVB N.W.E

2 The new legal instrument: EGTC The European Union provides a rather new legal form for the permanent cooperation of public authorities from different member states: The European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC) Seat of the EGTC must be in the EU Seat has to be in one of the EGTC members Seat determines applicable law + financial control procedures designed to facilitate and promote territorial cooperation (cross-border, transnational and interregional cooperation), in view of strengthening the economic and social cohesion of the European territory.

3 Competencies of an EGTC An EGTC Can act on behalf of its members Can hire own personnel Has its own budget Can receive grants (e.g. EU grants) Can rent/buy offices/equipments Can contract supplies, works and services Can take and be part of legal actions

4 Why an EGTC for CODE24? The objective for creating an EGTC is to enable the regions, cities and other stakeholders of the Rhine-Alpine Corridor area to continue their cooperation, to speak with one voice and to keep on developping the Corridor jointly.

5 Specific Advantages of an EGTC for CODE24 Members Use potential of the Rhine-Alpine Corridor linked to territorial and major infrastructure planning Be part of joint efforts to the future development of the Corridor including the envisaged EU-Corridor-Forum Jointly promote and lobby the interests of the Corridor Easier access to new EU-funds and new projects Take part in intercultural exchange between the regions and countries of the Corridor Being part of developing a common identity for the Corridor Use of the chance of contacts between different stakeholders Capitalize on the results of the project CODE24 (e.g. Internetbased information system as a planning and decision tool).

6 Map of Existing EGTC s 32 EGTC s have been established in Europe so far. In most cases cross-border EGTC s. EGTC for Corridor projects like CODE24, other examples: -Adriatic-Ionian-Balkan Corridor VII (Bulgaria-Italy) and -Central European Transport Corridor (Sweden-Slovenia = Baltic Sea-Adria)

7 Legal Documents Only two legal documents are needed: 1.) The Convention - presenting basic elements of the EGTC 2.) The Statutes - presenting EGTC s operational framework

8 Members of an EGTC - At least 2 members from 2 EU Member States - Member States (national/central authorities) - Regional and/or local authorities - Associations of public authorities e.g. Euroregions, Working Communities - Bodies governed by public law - Private partners (Businesses) can be associated

9 Objectives and Tasks for the EGTC CODE24 a) Combining and focusing the joint interests of its members towards national, European and infrastructure institutions: b) Directing funds to corridor related activities and projects c) Providing a central platform for mutual information and exchange d) Improving the visibility and promotion of the Corridor

10 Relevance to Seine Gateway 1 1. Combined pursuance of joint interests with local/regional delivery and investment capacity 2. Strong representation at EU policy, program and political level 3. Build upon the initial transnational cooperation resulting from WeastFlows 4. Utilise trusted contacts with common interests to pursue common goals 5. Baseline: An EGTC only for the Seine Gateway will not be approved. Minimum set up with one other Gateway, such as the Solent for example (But an EGTC does NOT have to be geographically connected, it can be thematically connected).

11 Relevance to Seine Gateway 2 6. Groundwork London Offer : Development of a new, EU funded project = Sustainable Logistics Gateways in Europe (SLG-E) with a specific work package aimed at developing and establishing an EGTC between all or some project partners by the end of the project 7. Potential partners: Seine Gateway (Le Havre/Rouen/Paris), Limerick-Shannon, West Flanders, Edinburgh-Forth and Portsmouth/Southampton-Solent and strategic liaison with Code24 EGTC 8. Funding opportunities: Interreg VB N.W.E 1 st or 2 nd Call; TEN- T/CEF 2 nd Call 9. Project development meeting on 23 rd March in Scottish Representation Brussels

12 For further information Thank you very much for your attention! Code 24 EGTC Contact: Jörg Saalbach Verband Region Rhein-Neckar Mannheim Tel. +49 (0) SLG-E Contact Detlef Golletz Director EU Programs Groundwork London (txt only)