P. 2 Events Territorial observation along Germany's borders and European perspectives In brief P. 3 France news Network news P. 4 Press review Publication

The Nord Department: a cross-border strategy that translates into concrete projects

More than 100 people gathered on 12 June projects, etc. A host of actions that elicited 2018 in the ancient Vaucelles Abbey proposals from participants, for example (Cambrésis, Nord) for the first Departmental concerning child protection, cross-border Meeting on Cross-Border Cooperation mobility in rural areas, and cross-border organised by the Nord Department. cultural and tourist trails. In its role as key Sylvie Labadens Territorial authorities, government witness, the MOT was able to relate these Vice-President of the Nord representatives, European bodies, EGTCs and actions to initiatives implemented on other Department responsible for bodies from different fields – a diverse borders. Lastly, the Hauts-de-France Region, International and European French and Belgian audience – attended the the Provinces of Western Flanders and Relations presentation of the new departmental Hainaut, the Wallonia-Brussels Federation Sharing a 350km-long border with Belgium, the strategy on cross-border cooperation and and the Eurometropolis and West- position of the Nord Department naturally places it could thereby observe the implementation Vlaanderen/Flandre-Dunkerque-Côte d’Opale within a huge cross-border Franco-Belgian region. of the "cross-border reflex" in the Nord EGTCs expressed their desire to work As a consequence, for nearly 30 years the Nord Department's policy priorities: jobseeker together to achieve more effective Department has cooperated in many areas with the placement in Belgian Flanders, a cross- governance, in order to develop a cross- neighbouring Belgian territories, particularly the border support network for carers looking border region both by and for citizens, Provinces of Western Flanders and Hainaut. Today, after elderly people, teaching Dutch and particularly young people. A direction that our ambition is to go further in the creation of a French to young people, discussions about makes sense in the run-up to celebrating 30 genuine shared cross-border space, facilitating access to food for vulnerable populations years of cross-border cooperation in the exchanges and collaboration between Nord and about healthcare, joint management of Nord Department in 2019. The Nord Department and Belgian players, and in which the natural areas, particularly sand dunes, cycle Department joined the MOT in September region's inhabitants cross the border regularly to tourism, public reading networks, cultural 2017. More info work, study, go shopping, receive medical treatment, discover the cultural and touristic assets of their neighbours, and so on. In line with this desire to strengthen cross-border cooperation, on 13 November 2017 the Nord Department approved an operational strategy that includes a "cross- border reflex" in each of its major areas of competence: employment, young people, the elderly, disability, healthcare, the environment, rural affairs, highways, services to the public, culture and tourism, etc. Engaging directly with local realities, cross-border action enables civil society and citizens to experience the concrete benefits of Europe – a challenge that resonates particularly strongly in the Nord, with its tradition of solidarity and openness to Europe. EVENTS Territorial observation along Germany's borders

Seminar organised by and European perspectives the MOT and the UMS RIATE , 17 September The observation of cross-border territories, 2018 in Paris : which is now recognised as a priority by European countries, is moving towards overall "Territorial observation coordination. The MORO project launched in and assisting decision- Germany has accelerated this progress. making in cross-border regions" The project "Territorial from that with the Czech 1. At French national level observation in Germany and Republic. The final report, with the relaunch of the Cross- More info: neighbouring regions" was which was published in Border Strategic Committee https://transfront2018.sci launched in 2015 by the November 2017, sets forth the (CSC) by the General encesconf.org/ BBSR/BBR, 1 as part of the observation carried out by and Commission for Territorial German MORO programme on on the model regions, and Equality (CGET) and the MOT in "Pilot projects in spatial discusses all of the topics September 2018. AEBR General Assembly , planning". Its objective is to studied with respect to the 2. At the Franco-German 20-22 September 2018 in lay the foundations for border country as a whole, this being level with the publication of Oulu (Finland) region observation along complemented by a more the Wasermann Report, in the Germany's borders. The project detailed approach that draws perspective of the forthcoming 8th cross-border job was wound up at a conference on each of the model regions new Elysée Treaty. of experts in Berlin on 9-10 and their specific issues ( see meetings , 27 September 3. At European level with the November 2017. While the report on the Greater 2018 in Frethun (Pas-de- pilot project "Border region initiatives to harmonise data Region ). Calais, France) data collection", funded by DG on border territories had The report concludes that the REGIO. 8th meeting of the EGTC previously been implemented joint development of regional Platform (European locally, harmonisation at strategies alone justifies the More info Committee of the Regions), German federal level was more improvement of their system of 1 Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und 8 October 2018 in Brussels difficult, which led to the cross-border territorial Raumforschung (Federal Institute for launch of this MORO project. observation. It recommends Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development) / Bundesamt für BRIT (Border Regions in Through the study of seven the optimisation of Bauwesen und Raumordnung (Federal Transition) 2018 model regions along Germany's cooperation between statistical Office for Building and Regional Conference: "North-South borders, 2 the aim was to authorities on either side of Planning), Germany. Dialogue on Border identify indicators designed to the border and the design of 2 Schleswig- monitor living conditions in innovative initiatives in this Holstein/Syddanmark/Sjaelland; the Management" , 15-18 PRO EUROPA VIADRINA Euroregion; the October 2018 in Nigeria these regions, and to domain. More info – the report International Lake Constance Region; formulate recommendations Beyond this MORO project, the Upper Rhine Trinational All the events regarding actions to be Metropolitan Region; the Greater cross-border observation has Region; the Charlemagne Border implemented. All of Germany's become a central issue in Region; and the Germany/Netherlands borders were included apart Europe: Euregios.

The "Transfermuga" project "Towards an Alsace "Horizon 2035: le Statistical portraits receives the "Le Monde - Euro-authority" Transfrontalier dans of the Jura Arc

Smart Cities" award The executives of the Bas- tous ses états ?", a territories Rhin and Haut-Rhin "Reducing inequalities and making publication by AGAPE The Jura Arc Cross-Border Departments have submitted urban life easier for everyone while Statistical Observatory has to the Prefect of the Grand This new issue of respecting of the environment: these published statistical portraits Est Region a proposal for an "InfObservatoire" sets out the are the aims of the eight projects that of four cooperation territories authority with special status, cross-border forecasts of the have been selected as winners of the identified along the Franco- based on the views of 13,000 North Lorraine Urban Planning European competition "Le Monde - Swiss border as part of the citizens. The aim of this Agency (AGAPE): "With 150,000 Smart Cities". The "Transfermuga" 2016-2020 strategy of the contribution entitled French cross-border workers in scheme in the Basque Country is one of Trans-Jura Conference. The "Towards an Alsace Euro- Luxembourg in 15 years and these eight projects – well-deserved aim is to better target the authority" is to promote and huge movement of goods, isn't recognition for this European project cross-border actions to be strengthen the territory's it time […] to make the cross- that aims to "boost Franco-Spanish carried out within the Rhineland and European border dimension a priority cooperation with respect to all modes framework of this strategy. identity. issue?". of transport, thus reducing the More info dominance of individual car use". More info More info More info

CROSS-BORDER NEWS N°140 – p2 NETWORK FRANCE NEWS NEWS The cross-border Launch of the "Banque dimension in the des Territoires" On 30 May 2018, the Caisse des Territorial Dépôts launched the "Banque des Territoires" ("Bank for the Observatory's annual Regions") – a new instrument aimed at territorial authorities report and other local public bodies to help them to carry out future The General Commission for Territorial Equality projects. Through this tool, it (CGET, France) has just published its 2017 annual report. An extensive chapter looks at the dynamics of intends to offer a set of support cross-border employment. Border issues are also and financing solutions for discussed in other sections of the report. projects, with particular attention being given to small territorial Cross-border employment the labour force, it emphasises the Switzerland and Luxembourg, "high authorities and territories facing dynamics in France and Europe major issues raised in terms of property prices are combined with difficulties. Border territories are In Europe, 2 million people work at public policy and governance the presence of populations whose directly concerned and were least once a week in another (development of infrastructure, income is relatively high thanks to mentioned at the launch country. This figure is rising very provision of public services, etc.). access to cross-border conference. The MOT promotes sharply and has trebled since 1999. The report also highlights the employment", but this needs to be this initiative within its network. For France, Eurostat estimates that dynamism of cross-border work set against the fact that More info there are 438,000 cross-border along France's borders, and the "households that do not have Conference in workers. Against this backdrop, the potential for growth and cohesion Luxembourg or Swiss levels of report analyses cross-border that it represents for territories income find it increasingly difficult Dubrovnik employment (typology of flows, even if it is still underexploited. to access housing". profile of cross-border workers, The cross-border dimension - Border areas are also identified, The MOT took part in a etc.) along the borders between addressed in thematic analyses together with the Île de France conference entitled "Cross- France and five neighbouring The report addresses other cross- Region, the areas along the Border Cooperation In Europe: countries: Belgium, Luxembourg, border issues with respect to topics Mediterranean coast and the large Decentralisation, legal Germany, Switzerland and Monaco. such as access to housing and metropolitan centres, as "territories frameworks, and practice", Pointing out the fact that in disparities in income: characterised by large income organised under the aegis of the certain territories cross-border disparities". Council of Europe on 25 May in - In border areas close to workers account for up to a third of More info Dubrovnik. More info

A study by the European Commission on Reform of unemployment "B-solutions": ten "missing cross-border rail links" benefit for cross-border workers projects selected

The European Commission authorities, 48 of them – 9 On 21 June in Luxembourg, the 28 EU Ten projects have been has published a report on of which are located along Employment Ministers adopted the revision of selected within the framework the existing rail transport France's borders – were the regulation on the coordination of social of the "b-solutions" call for connections and the assessed as "potentially security systems in the EU, which provides for projects launched by DG REGIO "missing links" on the EU's beneficial projects". The reform of unemployment benefit for cross- on the theme of overcoming internal borders. It provides study goes on to analyse border workers. Currently, cross-border workers cross-border obstacles. a comprehensive inventory the viability and usefulness pay into the unemployment benefit system of A total of 36 projects were of the 365 cross-border rail of these missing links, their the country in which they are employed, but submitted. Among the ten links which are investment requirements have their benefit paid by their country of selected, four involve France's underexploited or not and possible sources of residence when their contract comes to an borders. This call for projects exploited at all. In total, funding. The study end. This will be reversed under the reform: is administered by the AEBR. there are 176 missing rail concludes by proposing once a cross-border worker has worked for at For more info and to consult links and, after recommendations to least 12 months in a country, this country will the list of projects consultation of the facilitate their be responsible for paying their unemployment stakeholders and competent implementation. More info benefit. Continued

CROSS-BORDER NEWS N°140 – p3 PRESS RE VIEW Unemployment: Luxembourg is A Franco-German Bastia: SUCCESS, Luxembourg will pay looking for cross- apprenticeship qualifica- a project for the for its cross-border border workers! tion under construction promotion of jobs in workers, but not L'Est républicain, 25 June La Semaine de Metz, 21 June cross-border sectors "Luxembourg may need "The success of a cross-border pilot straightaway 150,000 French cross-border project on apprenticeships involving Corse Net Infos, 19 June workers by 2035 to ensure its young people and businesses, "The Bastia and Upper Corsica AFP, 21 June economic development, launched four years ago in the Saar- Chamber of Commerce and "Luxembourg will have to pay compared with 93,500 today. Moselle area, was celebrated by the Industry, the lead partner in benefit to unemployed people who Except that the Lorraine Grand Est Region and its German the project, is seeking to do not live in its territory – so the Region isn't ready." partners on 20 June in Saarbrücken. promote jobs by supporting EU's Employment Ministers decided The next stage […] is the recognition the creation of VSEs/SMEs and on Thursday, while giving it more Cross-border of this qualification in both the social enterprise economy time to do so than other EU countries, with a view to creating a in priority cross-border countries. The 28 EU Employment cooperation between genuine common labour market." sectors." Ministers adopted in Luxembourg by qualified majority voting (i.e. hospitals The issue of cross- Cerdanya, a 55% of Member States representing Républicain lorrain, 22 June at least 65% of the EU population) "During the visit of the Prime border workers laboratory for cross- the revision of the regulation on Minister, Edouard Philippe, to coordinating social security Metz on Thursday 21 June, the threatens to undermine border dynamics systems in the European Union." mayors of Sarreguemines and negotiations with the EU L'Indépendant, 25 June Forbach, Céleste Lett and "'We're not afraid of learning Tribune de Genève, 23 June The impact of Laurent Kalinowski, brought up Spanish and coming to work "The legislation must still be the issue of the Mosar cross- here – we are the European approved by the European Parliament, cross-border workers border healthcare agreement. generation.'" but it is already generating fear in The two officials […] are - a headache Switzerland. The introduction of this arguing that this agreement Consult all of the press articles*. mechanism would have enormous Le Soir, 2 June should be signed to enable Reserved for members – in French. financial consequences. 'With 320,000 "'I work in Arlon, I live in Arlon and patients in the Saar-Moselle * Each month, the MOT posts online around cross-border workers, Bern would see 100 articles about cross-border cooperation. I suffer from the price rises due to Eurodistrict to receive treatment its benefits bill rise by several Belgians who work in Luxembourg.' on the other side of the border." […] How can you live comfortably hundred million'." with your Belgian salary when prices close to the border keep going up? For more than half of the Euroregions, Excellence and Innovation across municipality's population this is not an issue: 58.7% of them work in EU borders. A Catalogue of Good Practices. Luxembourg." Red Europea de Cooperacion Territorial (RECOT Network, Spain), Alzette Belval: the University of Vigo (Spain), University of Barcelona (Spain), 2018 major work is under way This catalogue of good practices is designed to be a practical guide that gives people a better understanding of the "Euroregions": Républicain lorrain, 23 June definition, list, typology, historical and geographical development, "More than 8,000 housing units their role in cross-border governance, sectors of cooperation and the are being built. This time it's Euroregions' projects, etc. More info really happening – cranes have taken over the site at Micheville. Four sites for the development of This publication is available in the MOT's document portal [FR]. the Alzette-Belval area are now in Specialising in cross-border cooperation, the portal provides more than 4,000 document references. More info the construction phase. And this is only the beginning."

CROSS-BORDER NEWS Mission Opérationnelle Photos: All rights reserved. Page 1: Transfrontalière Philippe Houzé – Photothèque du 38 rue des Bourdonnais Département du Nord 75001 Paris France Tel: +33 (0)1 55 80 56 80 To subscribe: www.cross-border-territories.eu Director of publication: Jean Peyrony Production: Domitille Ayral