1. The role of Territorial Cooperation in IWT and integrated planning
Nathalie Verschelde
DG Regional Policy
2 October 2009

2. Territorial Cooperation
Structural fund support for cooperation at borders or within transnational zones
Specific programmes with clearly established geographical scope (52 cross-border and 13 transnational programmes)
7 years, SWOT analysis, strategy translated into priorities
Priorities translated into projects, mostly through bottom-up calls for projects

3. What is financed ?
JOINT projects, tackling specific problems or addressing potential synergies for development
Sectors are wide : economic development, innovation, growth, jobs, culture BUT ALSO environment and transport
Main pre-condition : international dimension across borders or across a transnational zones. All projects must benefit the programme area as a whole

4. What about rivers ?
Majority of large navigable rivers are international
Most stretches are covered by territorial cooperation programmes, either cross-border or transnational

5. What about rivers ? Cross-border areas

6. What about rivers ? Transnational zones – here Central Europe

7. What about rivers ? Transnational zones – here North-West Europe

8. What about rivers ?
Programmes offer a good framework for multi- sector, multi-governance work
Facilitation of dialogue among stakeholders, studies and plans, limited possibilities for infrastructure investment
Cooperation between Natura 2000 sites across borders

9. Illustration - Danube
8 bi-lateral programmes all along the Danube (DE-AT, AT-SK, HU-SK, AT-HU, HU-HR, HU- SRB, RO-SRB, RO-BG) = 746 million €*
Also 2 transnational zones covering the river and most of its basin (Central Europe and South-East Europe) = 452 million €*
* Not all dedicated to rivers, transport or environment

10. Illustration - Danube

11. New element – Danube Strategy
An integrated framework that allows the European Union and Member States to identify needs and allocate available resources thus enabling a macro-region to enjoy sustainable environment and optimal economic and social development.
A macro-region will involve several regions in several countries
but the number of MS should be significantly fewer then in the Union as a whole

12. Model of the recent Baltic sea macro-region strategy
Policy development: European Council Coordination, monitoring and follow-up: European Commission Member State or equivalent to coordinate Priority Areas; Ministry, agency, or other body to lead flagship projects Simple implementation system: making better use of existing institutions, funding, and legislation. Annual Forum with stakeholders No new institutions, no new funding, no new legislation

13. Baltic sea macro-region strategy - results?
Analytical report on the Baltic Sea Region
Rolling EU Action Plan for Baltic Sea Region:
- Actors responsible
Concrete actions to address challenges
- Deadlines
- Regular reviews
70 actions, 80 flagship projects
Better use of existing funding, esp. via EU programmes at all levels but also national, regional, local, IFIs, private sector

14. Danube macro-region strategy – how?
Ingredients (lessons learned from the Baltic Sea exercice):
Move from political statements to action;
Simple / straightforward approach needed;
Integrated approach (not compartmentalised);
Use the strong potential for improvement;
Stakeholder involvement essential.

15. Danube macro-region strategy – the next steps ?
Going backwards:
Spring 2011 :Presidency Conclusions then HU Presidency first half 2011
Sep 2010-Dec 2010: adoption of strategy and launch (ISC, adoption procedure, launch)
Apr 2010-Sep 2010: validation of a first draft (esp with MS)
Nov 2009-Apr 2010: formal discussion phase (Stakeholder Conferences, Thematic roundtables, Web consultation)
Sep 2009-Nov 2009: start up phase and informal discussions (ad-hoc workshops, meetings)

16. Danube macro-region strategy – What ?
This is principally to be discussed and agreed with the MS, but we have had some thoughts:
Connectivity – access to and from Danube, transportation on the Danube, energy connections
Environment – water quality, biodiversity, risk prevention and management
Unlocking the potential – economic development, education, culture

17. Danube macro-region strategy – what else or what more ?
This is for all of us to contribute to…

18. Thank you