1. Open Days 2011 Workshop 11C05 Added value and efficiency through the use of article 37.6(b) and the EGTC Centre Borschette, Brussels 11 October 2011 State Development Corporation of Thuringia (LEG) Lars Wrage, Thuringian Coordination Office TNA

2. Page 2 State Development Corporation of Thuringia Thuringian Coordination Office TNA Contents 1.Regional framework of transnational cooperation 2.Lessons learnt in the INTERACT Pilot 3.Recommendations 4.Contact details

3. Page 3 State Development Corporation of Thuringia Thuringian Coordination Office TNA 1. Regional framework for transnational cooperation Concept Innovation by Cooperation Handbook TNA Thuringian Coordination Office TNA elaborated by LEG on behalf of the Thuringian Ministry of Economy, Employment, and Technology identifies 14 cooperation regions (not exclusive) based on Concept describes framework of transnational activities in Thuringia established 1 April 2008 financed by ERDF and ESF supervised by Thuringian Ministry of Economy, Employment, and Technology

4. Page 4 State Development Corporation of Thuringia Thuringian Coordination Office TNA 1. Regional framework for transnational cooperation Contains funding guidelines for transnational activities within ERDF and ESF Prepared by Thuringian Ministry of Economy, Labor and Technology (Managing Authorities ERDF and ESF) Key contents for application of art. 37 (6)b) and (7): available funds main advantages of transnational cooperation objectives of transnational cooperation identification of European cooperation regions funding rates, eligible applicants and topics description of application procedures description of implementation structure Coordination Office TNA is intermediate body ERDF

5. Page 5 State Development Corporation of Thuringia Thuringian Coordination Office TNA 1. Regional framework for transnational cooperation

6. Page 6 State Development Corporation of Thuringia Thuringian Coordination Office TNA 2. Lessons learnt in the INTERACT pilot Article 37 not mentioned in Thuringian OPs ERDF and ESF, yet promotion of transnational cooperation especially in R&D and innovation Access to know how Exchange of best-practices Joint creation of innovative products or processes (Innovation Union) Added value to Thuringian research consortia! Effective cooperation due to established coordination structures: Steering Committee Thuringia – Picardy (France) Steering Committee Thuringia – Malopolska (Poland) Communiqué Thuringia – Hordaland (Norway)

7. Page 7 State Development Corporation of Thuringia Thuringian Coordination Office TNA R ecommendations 3. R ecommendations Recommendations regarding Article 37: Inclusion in regulations of next programming period 2014 – 2020 keeping the flexibility of Art. 37.6 (b) Recommendations for implementation: common platform with information about planned calls agreement about common topics (e.g. R&D, Innovation) conferences before opening of calls (partner search forums) cooperation procedures between regions for common funding of projects or activities (general or specific)

8. Page 8 State Development Corporation of Thuringia Thuringian Coordination Office TNA 4. Contact Details Thuringian Coordination Office TNA State Development Corporation of Thuringia Department Urban and Regional Development Mainzerhofstraße 12 99084 Erfurt, Germany Webwww.tna-thueringen.de (available in German and English)www.tna-thueringen.de Lars Wrage - Project Manager Phone+49 (0)361 5603-395 E-MailLars.Wrage@leg-thueringen.de Kathrin Wagner - Project Assistant Phone+49 (0)361 5603-394 E-MailKathrin.Wagner@leg-thueringen.de