Cooperation between regions and countries
Additional tools
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.
Macro-regional Strategies
A 'Macroregional strategy' is an integrated framework endorsed by the European Council, which may be supported by the European Structural and Investment Funds among others, to address common challenges faced by a defined geographical area relating to Member States and third countries located in the same geographical area which thereby benefit from strengthened cooperation contributing to achievement of economic, social and territorial cohesion.
Four EU macro-regional strategies, covering several policies, have been adopted so far:
- The EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (2009)
- The EU Strategy for the Danube Region (2010)
- The EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (2014)
- The EU Strategy for the Alpine Region (2015)
All adopted macro-regional strategies are also accompanied by a rolling action plan to be regularly updated in light of new, emerging needs and changing contexts. The four macro-regional strategies concern 19 EU member-states and 8 non EU countries.
International Cooperation
The European Union shares experience with non-EU countries about the process of regional development.
Other forms of cooperation and networking
- The annual European Week of Cities and Regions ("Open Days") event
- The RegioNetwork 2020 online cooperation platform