WORKSHOP 3

Cooperation with non-EU countries (EFTA, IPA, ENI & other non-EU countries)

Wednesday, 27 April - Morning Session

1. INTRODUCTION

Non-EU countries have participated in Interreg programmes for over 20 years and there are some great success stories, such as countries like Norway and Switzerland who together, have helped deliver over 1500 projects, and countries like Morocco and Algeria with relatively new engagement with Interreg programmes that have now worked on nearly 50 projects over the last few years.

The role of non-EU Member States and territories within Cross border and Transnational and Interregional Programmes is specifically referenced in Regulation (EU) No 1299/2013 which states the following:

‘Cooperation is an important regional policy tool and should benefit the regions of the Member States which border third countries.’

Border areas are known to be economically weaker, have underdeveloped infrastructure, higher levels of unemployment, however the people living in that region are often very mobile, crossing the border daily for work and day to day life. Partnership approaches in border areas are therefore essential to overcome the issues of peripherality and changing demographics. Border issues do not respect EU membership, and therefore programmes that are jointly designed and implemented in these external border regions have a significant impact on the citizens.

The theme of the workshop is European Territorial Cooperation and non-EU countries and will be an excellent opportunity to hear directly from a number of actors involved in these programmes about their experience in a range of implementation areas and the benefits and the practical challenges of such collaborative working. There will be an opportunity to discuss these concepts in further detail over the course of the workshop.

2. NON-EU COUNTRIES PARTICIPATION IN INTERREG PROGRAMMES

Non-EU countries play an important role in a number of 2014-2020 European Territorial Cooperation (ETC) programmes and initiatives, and this role has changed and evolved, as relationships with the EU have evolved.

For the current 2014-2020 programming period, for the non-EU countries, the key programmes and instruments are:

The Interreg suite of Programmes;

Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) CBC Programmes;

European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI) CBC Programmes;

Macro-regional Strategies.

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3. BENEFITS OF COOPERATION WITH A NON-EU COUNTRY

The involvement of non-EU Member States within cross border and the wider transnational and interregional programmes promotes integrated development between neighbouring land and maritime border regions. For non-EU Member States, Interreg is a valued part of their regional policy approaches and engagement with the EU and regional partners.

Some of the key reasons for cooperation between member states and non-member states include:

Opportunity for partners to access expertise that exist;

Reasons of geography – shared land and maritime regions hence shared challenges and opportunities;

Access to centres of innovation (Universities / Research Institutes);

Development of skills, inspiration, new ideas, knowledge and international contacts and networks;

Increased awareness of common European challenges and culture. It helps to build solidarity tolerance and trust;

Allows Non-EU Member States and Member States to collaborate and input into policy development and policy instruments;

Addresses regional development challenges;

Promoting and sustaining stability in crisis or former crisis regions;

‘Live’ learning of management of EU-funds.

Information received from a number of actors engaged in these Interreg programmes indicates that there are many practical benefits of engaging with a non-EU country. For example, developing closer working relationships in areas such as research, security, environmental issues, education, culture, social and economic matters. It was also indicated that cooperation with a non-EU country created both formal and informal networks, which often resulted in follow-up activities and further collaborations which may not have occurred had the participation in the Interreg programme existed.

4. CHALLENGES OF IMPLEMENTING PROGRAMMES WITH A NON-EU COUNTRY

A number of challenges have been encountered during the implementation and management of Interreg programmes with a non-EU country participant. For example, certain characteristics of the programme area e.g. low population density, an ageing population and relatively low levels of education make it challenging for local actors or representatives of specific groups to be involved in international cooperation projects due to limited capacity and/or economic resources.

Feedback also indicated that ongoing awareness raising and mobilising of the main target groups has created challenges. Organisations are not always aware/convinced about the opportunities offered by interregional cooperation, and have little resources to invest in projects for exchanging experiences.

Other challenges that were highlighted included managing any delays that may be encountered when implementing a new programme.

5. LOOKING TO THE FUTURE - POST 2020

The workshop will focus on a discussion among participants about the following range of topics:

What can be improved to further support cooperation between Non-EU and EU countries?

What opportunities exist to expand these programmes?

How has participation in the ETC contributed to mobilise stakeholders at local, regional, national and international level?

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The circumstances for regional development policies are changing – what would be your priorities for the future, how can links be improved to other Cohesion programmes including macro-regional strategies but also national regional policy?

How has ETC given added value to import questions for regional development like innovation and administrative capacity. What are the benefits for non-EU countries and EU-countries in this regard?

6. WORKSHOP CONCLUSIONS

6.1 Presentations

Three presentations were made at the beginning of the workshop. One giving the overview, one presenting the Northern Periphery and Arctic Programme and one the experiences and challenges identified in programmes involving the Republic of Serbia. One conclusion is that there are big differences in the programmes reflecting differences in geography, social relations and economy. The reasons for cooperation include EU integration process, collaboration on policy level, stability and common economic development. There were also common issues included more complicated administration, peripheriality and labour market and demographic questions but also a high level of interest for participating, more financial resources and management development.

6.2 Workshop discussions

Three questions had been prepared for the workshop discussions covering the experience (benefits and challenges), opportunities to expand the cooperation and what actors should be involved in the programmes.

There was enthusiasm and interest from non-EU countries to participate. Advantages of taking part in this cooperation include transfer of know-how, small border communities' benefit, environmental benefits, implementing projects can help deal with the history and projects can work together when the political level is not working together.

There was a strong wish during the discussions for a harmonisation of regulations across programmes. Much focus was concentrated on differences in legislation and administration both at EU-level but also at national level. Differences which were mentioned included procurement, different rules for verification and the reliance on MoUs. There was also a strong wish for that the concerned DGs harmonised their approach. There are however limits to how far one is able to go with regard to harmonisation due amongst other things the treaties.

There was a discussion on better inclusion of other actors by better designing the programme to involve SMEs, involving scientific institutions at a strategic level and better involvement of universities and NGOs. Regional level participation can make cooperation easier in some cases.

6.3 Questions

Two questions were put forward to be live voted over by the participants at the closing plenary of 28 April.

A. Do you think we could realistically implement one regulation for all territorial cooperation programmes?

Yes 61,7%

No 38,3%

B. How should the cooperation between non-EU and EU countries evolve?

1. Deepening the existing cooperation 76,3%

2. Expanding them further to new territories 23,7%

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Map 1: Cooperation in Different Types of Territories

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Map 2: Connectivity Including the Neighbourhood