Tritia Egtc Tritia Egtc Tritia

Moravian-Silesian Region

Opole Voivodeship

Žilina Self-Governing Region

EGTC TRITIA EGTC TRITIA EGTC TRITIA

In 2009, leaders of partner With its area of 34,069 The EGTC seat, registered regions, with not very diverse km² and 7,855,000 inhabitants, according to the Polish law, shall structure of public administration which includes Katowice and be in Cieszyn (Poland, Silesian throughout Poland, Slovakia and the Ostrava, the largest cities (both Voivodeship) and its secretary office Czech Republic, decided to continue over 300,000 inhabitants), the in Český Těšín (the Czech Republic, their previous bilateral cross- region of future EGTC TRITIA has Moravian-Silesian Region). Twin- border co-operation and create a an enormous potential to build cities of Cieszyn and Český Těšín, space for its further intensification their extensive multilateral cross- situated on the two banks of the and expansion into multilateral border co-operation on the basis Olza River, are easily accessible co-operation among four regions of complementarities of all partner from all parts of EGTC. The EGTC from three countries through regions and is able to contribute to director will be appointed by Žilina newly created EGTC. All these higher attractiveness of all TRITIA Self-Governing Region (Slovakia). regions are quite far from their founding regions, which shall Secretary Office is expected to national capitals and have historical lead to a functional polycentric launch its operation with three full- relations with their neighbours. metropolitan region. With its strong time employees plus supported All regions have experienced business background, seven public clerks qualified from all regions. economic transformation, brain- universities and a high amount of drain and development of new tertiary education providers, TRITIA industrial branches, especially IT region also offers a space with and automotive industry. considerable R&D and innovation potential. All four founding members also provide large opportunities for tourism, mostly in their local mountains. Moravian-Silesian Region

Area: 5,427 km2 Population: 1,243,220 Capital: Ostrava

Žilina Self-Governing Region

Area: 6,788 km2 Population: 694,129 Capital: Žilina

Silesian Voivodeship

Area: 12,334 km2 Population: 4,654,115 Capital: Katowice

Opole Voivodeship

Area: 9,412 km2 Population: 1,037,088 Capital: Opole EGTC TRITIA Moravian -Silesian Region

„EGTC TRITIA is being created above all to ensure better and more effective identification of needs of nearly 8 millions of people living in the area of 34,069 km2 and to help and facili- tate allocation of funds provided by European Union.“

Jaroslav Palas, President of the Moravian-Silesian Region

Moravian-Silesian Region During last two decades Moravian-Silesian Region is rightly called the “region of the Moravian-Silesian Region has can be proud of its natural heritage, contrasts and opportunities”. Firstly noted a significant transformation of diversity of the countryside, folk it belongs to the most important its industrial branch structure. The traditions and crafts, historical and industrial regions in Central Europe metallurgical and mining industries cultural sites, spas, well equipped and secondly it abounds in natural continue to form an integral sportgrounds, excellent food and and traditional beauties. part of the Region but many old beer and many others. In the branches have been converted not Region we can find a wide range of With the area of 5,427 km2, only into automotive industry, but chateaus, castles, towns and cities the region covers 7% of the area of also development of information with a long and interesting history, the Czech Republic and therefore it is and communication technologies, numerous technical monuments the 6th largest region in the country. chemical industry or civil which result from a long industrial The Moravian-Silesian Region, with engineering. Thanks to the highly era of the Region. Moreover, beautiful its 1,243,220 inhabitants, is one of skilled labour forces and successfully countryside of Beskydy and Jeseníky the most densely populated regions developing educational facilities, a Mountain Ranges together with in the Czech Republic. substantial number of investments protected landscape area Poodří can can flow into the Region. Therefore offer a wide range of recreational, it is rightly designated as one of the tourist and sport facilities. most rapidly developing regions in the Czech Republic. Žilina self-governing region

„Žilina Self-Governing Region is a rapidly developing, coopera- ting and competitive region with strong innovation potential. It lies on a major artery of the economy in Central Europe and has appropriate capacities for sys- tematic development, progress in business, information tech- nology, tourism and in particu- lar transport infrastructure with suitable road, rail and air conne- ctions… these are the reasons why we are joining the EGTC …“

Juraj Blanár, President of the Žilina Self-Governing Region

Žilina Self-Governing Region the spas, thermal aquaparks, wa- in the Czech Republic and Poland. shares borders with Poland and ter reservoirs, ski and mountain Structural development of regional the Czech Republic. It is one of the centres… The history of the region economy has been determined by most beautiful regions in the Slovak can be tracked through its cultural strengthening the service sector Republic. Its area covers 6,788 km2 monuments (castles, castle ruins, in recent years. There are more with almost 700,000 inhabitants. sacral architecture including woo- than 10,000 companies registered The region consists of 5 very specific den churches, folk architecture at in Žilina region. Main industries subregions. Žilina region is recognized Vlkolínec which is declared as part include automotive, metalworking, for its high diversity of the countryside of UNESCO cultural heritage, a few construction, engineering, pulp and from the valleys remained from open air museums ...). paper manufacture. The fastest high human impacts on the area growth is marked in the sectors of with developed industry to beautiful Žilina city with its rich water supply, manufacture of cars agricultural and forested countryside history and busy economic and and transport equipment as well as with many cultural monuments and social life is the regional centre textile production. With its revenues desolated area of high mountains. as well as the real metropolis of from industry, Žilina region takes The national parks and protected the Northwest Slovakia. Žilina the third best position in Slovakia, areas cover more than 50% of total region is crossed by several as shown by the figures for the area. important international routes whole country. and railways corridors (Poland – Žilina Self-Governing Re- Austria – Hungary and Germany – There is well developed gion is the 2nd most visited region Czech Republic – Ukraine). Small school network with 4 universities. in Slovakia - tourists can find folk international airport is located near The highest innovation potential traditions folklore and folk archi- Žilina. is concentrated in engineering tecture together with modern ar- industry, electrotechnical industry chitecture, transport and a lot of Industrial nature of (including information and attractive opportunities for active the region is impacted by close communication technologies), wood winter and summer relaxation in neighbourhood of industrial areas processing industry and tourism. Silesian Voivodeship

„Silesian Voivodeship is the most important Polish industrial region, located in the southern part of Poland. The unique economic position occupied by the Silesi- an Voivodeship is owed to the fact that its GDP share is one of the highest in the country. In connection with our cross-border partners we can create a region with a huge potential.“

Adam Matusiewicz, Marshall of the Silesian Voivodeship

The region neighbours A high degree of urbanisati- EU. Such high human concentration Opolskie, Łódzkie, Świętokrzyskie on is reflected by the fact that almost in a relatively small area creates and Małopolske voivedeships, 79% of Silesians live in 71 cities, of a potential ready market for having borders with the Czech which: consumables. Republic and Slovakia from the • 3 have over 200,000 citizens, Being the largest urbanised south. Six European capitals are • 9 have from 100,000 to 20,000 area in the Central-Eastern Europe, within the reach of 600 kilometres citizens, the Upper Silesian agglomeration from Katowice, such as Warsaw, • 11 have from 50,000 to 100,000 decides about the uniqueness of the Prague, Bratislava and Berlin. citizens. region. The local urban network is very Silesia is polycentric, with no The above facts indicate that dense and consists of cities and towns central seat to perform metropolitan every third Polish major city is located which are actually interconnected, functions (administration, finances, in the Silesian Voivodeship. The expanded up to approximately 70 km insurance systems, universities, cul- Voivodeship is the 14th largest, and – from Dąbrowa Górnicza to Gliwice. ture). The systems of administration, 2nd most populous in Poland. This This network covers around 18% of universities, cultural establishments, relatively small territory, covering an the total Voivodeship area (1,200 and major companies are mostly area of 12,334 km2, which is 3.9% km2), and the average population concentrated in large cities belonging of Poland’s total area, is inhabited density amounts to approximately to the Silesian agglomeration, such by 4,645,665 people, that represent 1,900 people/km2. The region boasts as Katowice, Sosnowiec, Bytom, Gli- 12.2% of Poland’s population – the more than 30 universities, hundred wice, Zabrze, Tychy and Chorzów. highest in the country’s population thousands of companies and Poland’s Significant role is also played by the density index, i.e. 377 people/km2 most concentrated railway and capitals of sub-regions, such as Ryb- against 122 people/km2 for Poland streetcar networks. nik, Bielsko-Biała and Częstochowa. and 116 people/km2 reported in Opole Voivodeship

"Opole Voivodeship is a dynamically developing region in the social & economic area, whose solid partner is the local government. High level of industry and the regional innovation systems are the priorities in planning the distribution of the European funds and implementation of development strategy. We also support education, culture and the development of renewable energy. Our activities clear- ly manifest our efforts to find all partners for the major issues of Opole Region, no matter if over the borders. We believe that participation of our region in the European Grouping of the Territorial Cooperation “TRITIA” will improve coordina- tion of the cooperation with our foreign neighbours as well as our quality of life.”

Józef Sebesta, Marshall of the Opole Voivodeship

Opole Land stands out Opole Voivodeship offers a outdoor recreation and adventure nationally due its large economic variety of education opportunities opportunities are some of the finest and investment potential and quick and specialties. Six region´s higher you will find anywhere in the Region rate of ownership transformations. education institutions provide the that is characterised by diversified Industry is characterised by a necessary research infrastructure. topography (Silesian Uplands, uniform distribution across the City of Opole is the largest Silesian Lowland and a portion of Voivodeship and by a diversified academic centre of the Region, Sudeten Foothills, Oder Valley). structure. Building and construction home to the Opole University, the Large part of the territory is covered industry, electric machinery and Technical University of Opole, the by forests with four natural parks, metal industry, chemical industry, State Medical Vocational School many protected natural areas and fuel and power industry, fertilizer and the School of Management and biosphere reserves. industry, furniture industry, light Administration, with over 31,000 lovers of swimming, and food industry are predominant university students. sunbathing and water sports can industries. Coke, cement, lime, The city boosts of several enjoy their leisure time at Region’s nitrogen fertilizers, alimentary prominent cultural institutions, such dam lakes in Turawa near Opole or fats and oils, trucks, tractors and as Józef Elsner Opole Philharmonic, Nysa Lake and Otmuchów Lake at machine tools for metal plastic Jan Kochanowski Theatre, or Alojzy the bottom of Opava Mountains. working account for a dominant Smolka Theatre of the Puppet and Opole Silesia is rich in locations share of the country’s production Actor in Opole. And last but not of historical and archaeological and employment. least, there is Opole Millennium interest, with its ancient monuments Opole Region in figures: Amphitheatre, hosting annualy held of various historical ages. When • Total population – 1,088,000 National Festival of Polish Song. visiting Opole Region, one cannot • Area – 9,412 km2 The Region has excellent help but visit Krasiejów, a place in (3% of Poland territory) climate and natural assets Gmina of Ozimek, where one of the • Poviats (Districts) – 12 offering a wide range of outdoor world’s greatest palaeontological • Gminas (Communes) – 71 activities. Summer and winter discoveries has been made recently. INTERREG 4A programmes help us!

At the very beginning of decided to elaborate a common EGTC -Silesian Region and Žilina Self EGTC preparation, the following strategy, which would formulate the -Governing Region, four vertical and one horizontal co- principal steps to be undertaken • “Innovative cooperation” between operation principal topics have been by EGTC secretary office once it is Žilina Self-Governing Region and formulated: established in 2011. The following Silesian Voivodeship. three bilateral INTERREG 4A • Transport and infrastructure, projects are prepared and currently The main goal of these • Energy and environment, implemented by the partners (funded interlinked projects is to create three • Economic co-operation, by Operational Programmes of Cross- bilateral strategies for the cross- • Tourism, Border Cooperation CZ-PL, SK-CZ border cooperation of all above • Smart implementation of projects and PL-SK): mentioned partner regions, these and programmes. strategies will be then merged into • “Strategy of systemic cooperati- one single EGTC binding strategy in One of the frequent gaps on” between Moravian-Silesian 2012. Until that time, all partners of multilateral cross-border co- Region, Silesian and Opole Voivo- shall try to involve also other operation is missing joint strategy. deship, relevant players into cross-border Therefore in 2009, all partner regions • “Cooperation” between Moravian cooperation within TRITIA territory. PROJECT: „Cooperation and strengthening of cross-border cooperation between regional authorities and organizations invol- ved in Žilina Self-Governing Region and Moravian-Silesian Region”

Total budget: € 101,130 Main activities: Co-financing rate by EU: 85% • Creation of a strategic document improving the Partners: Žilina Self-Governing Region, cross-border cooperation between partner regions Moravian-Silesian Region • Study visit to Greater Region (Grande Région) • Study visits of public institution staff • Organisation of a conference summarizing project results

PROJECT: „Innovative development of cross-border cooperation among institutions of Silesian Voivodeship and Žilina Self-Governing Region“

Total budget: € 270,695.11 Main activities: Co-financing rate by EU: 83,90% • Creation of a strategic document improving the Partners: Cieszyn Castle, Development Agency of cross-border cooperation between partner regions Žilina Self-Governing Region, Silesian Voivodeship, Žili- • Study visits of public institution staff na Self-Governing Region • Project webside creation • Organisation of language courses and thematic conferences

PROJECT: „Strategy of SYSTEmic cooperation of public institutions of Moravian-Silesian Region, Silesian and Opole Voivodeship“

Total budget: € 346,617.45 Main activities: Co-financing rate by EU: 85% • Creation of a strategic document improving the Partners: Moravian-Silesian Region, cross-border cooperation between partner regions Silesian Voivodeship, Opole Voivodeship • Study visit to Eurometropole Lille – Kortrijk – Tournai • Study visits of public institution staff • Organisation of thematic conferences CROSS-BORDER PROJECTS - BEST PRACTICE

„For a truly unique experience, why not stand in three countries at the same time? We invite you to Hrčava, Istebna and Čierne, the point where three countries come together – Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia. Triple point (known as Trojmezí in Czech) is in the valley of a small stream. The valley is 8m deep and 34m wide, and the exact location of triple point is at the centre of triangle formed by three 240cm high granite monoliths. These imposing stones were erected on 22 June 1995, and their bases contain various everyday items preserved for future generations – documents, newspapers from that day, and coins.“

Tesin Silesia Euroregion Project: meeting point of three countries – creating infrastructure for tourism

Project partners: Association and Slovak banks of the stream, and of Jablunkov Municipalities, a smaller bridge was erected over Municipality of Istebna the ditch marking the Czech-Polish Operational programme: border. In the same year a shelter Fund of microprojects of Tesin for hikers was put on the Slovak Silesia Euroregion - Operational side. Two years later within the Programme Cross-Border frame of the Czech-Polish project a Cooperation CZ – PL 2007 - 2013 campfire site was built on the Czech Project budget: 35,334 EUR (CZ), part. Thanks to system of useful 13,825 EUR (PL) signs, paved path for pedestrians, cyclists, visitors with prams and In 2007, as part of the cooperation baby buggies, promotional materials set up within the Association of and map of „Meeting point of three Munucipalities in the Jablunkov countries“, this place became a Region, an 18 m long wooden favorite place for Czech, Polish and footbridge was built to connect Polish Slovak visitors.

Project: the magic of fairy tales hidden in the wood

Project partners: Region Besky- Goal of the joint Czech-Slovak dy based in Frýdek-Místek, Región project was to organize two carving Beskydy based in Žilina symposiums. Twenty wooden Operational programme: Ope- sculptures were made there. rational Programme Border Coope- Now these sculptures decorate ration SR – CZ 2007 – 2013, Fund kindergartens and basic schools in for Micro-Projects of Region Bílé Frýdek-Místek and Žilina. Karpaty Project budget: 23,000 EUR

Project: Track via the History

Project partners: two Czech and period of Nazism. It consisted of the Polish high schools wide range of common activities: Operational programme: Opera- visits to the places associated tional Programme of Cross-Border with this period, art and photo Cooperation CZ –PL 2007 - 2013 exhibitions, musical performances, EU grant: 15 376 EUR for the students’ film show etc. After Czech partner, 17 335 EUR for the its completion, the project was Polish partner followed by another one focused on the historical period of communism, Czech-Polish educational which was also common experience project focused on the historical for both countries. EGTC TRITIA www.msregion.cz [email protected]