The EGTC, a suitable instrument for Article 37(6)b? Background and main questions 17 March 2011 | Paris

What is the EGTC? The European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation Legal basis: Regulation (EC) No 1082/2006 Main principles: Entity with legal personality  Can hire staff, manage a budget, procure etc  Can manage cooperation projects and/or programmes (cross- border, transnational, interregional) Pooling human, technical and financial resources together Requirements At least 2 partners from at least 2 EU Member States Members: public bodies or bodies governed by public law Aim: strengthening economic and social cohesion

EGTC and 37(6)b Possibilities for use of EGTC Manage interregional actions of the participating regions Manage, through a global grant, the parts of each OP involved  Sustainability and visibility for partnerships  A stable framework, e.g. for lobbying, for establishing relationships with third parties  Optional – other solutions exist  So far no experience but growing interest

EGTC to manage interregional actions For an interregional action: Putting together the budgets of each regional project into a single pot of money (ERDF + co-financing). Budget is managed by the EGTC, in line with applicable rules in terms of use of public funds (EU and national applicable rules) The assembly of the EGTC acts as project steering committee, composed of representatives of the participating partner regions.

EGTC to manage global grants For an interregional global grant: Putting together the budgets of each regional priority into a joint global grant managed by EGTC. Subsidy contract signed between the EGTC director and beneficiaries in each participating region. All actions financed under the joint grant are bound to applicable rules in terms of use of public funds (EU and national applicable rules) The EGTC can also take care of control (FLC) Management of grant by the EGTC (staff, calls, meetings, publications etc) financed from TA contributions of participating programmes.

Getting started Interest? Current questions / issues? Other governance/organisational models? Next steps: 1.Short questionnaire 2.Working session at next meeting 3.Integration into INTERACT FAQ More infos: INTERACT Handbook and FAQ on the EGTC