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Data: 16/09/2015
RegioFlash: latest news about EU Regional Policy
News - 16 September 2015
• Panorama 54: Powering the Energy Union
The Autumn edition of Panorama is now available online, and the lead article details Regional Policy's contribution to the realisation of the EU's new Energy Union package, through increased investments in the low carbon economy and sustainable energy projects. Our other main article shows how the European Structural and Investment Funds will contribute to revitalising the Greek economy. We also highlight the advantages of Smart Specialisation strategies for transforming regional economies.
In our series of interviews with regional authorities we speak to Dr. Kostas Agorastos, Regional Governor of Thessaly about the development of their Operational programme and how EU funds are helping them boost growth and jobs. We also speak to Lubomír Vážny, Slovak Deputy Prime Minister for Investments, Sven Sester, Estonia's Finance Minister, and to Markku Markkula of the Espoo City Council in Finland about his election as President of the Committee of the Regions and his plans for the next two and a half years.
Elsewhere we preview the finalists of this year's RegioStars awards, outline the importance of communication strategies, feature a new guide to Cost-Benefit Analysis, and our In Your Own Words section features contributions from three regions across the continent.
You will also find the usual selection of news items and featured projects from across the EU.
Panorama 54: Powering the Energy Union.
• Cross-border cooperation in the European Union: results of the Eurobarometer survey
More than one third of EU citizens live and work in Europe's border regions. Those borders have a direct and indirect impact on their lives.
European Territorial Cooperation (the Interreg programmes) plays an important role in removing border obstacles and fostering cross-border cooperation. Relatively small in budget, the Interreg projects have achieved many concrete outcomes for the citizens - whether in the area of cross-border security, transport, education, energy, health care, training or job creation.
For 2014-2020, more than EUR 10 billion will be invested in cooperation between regions, of which around €6.6 billion will go to cross-border regions. This should ensure maximum impact and even more effective use of the investments.
However, a significant economic potential remains untapped in the border areas due to a lack of trust or even the existence of negative attitudes among neighbouring countries. DG REGIO therefore conducted a first-ever Eurobarometer survey to identify and map attitudes of citizens living in the border areas. The study will help arrive at more targeted EU interventions. Below the main findings:
Awareness of EU funded cross-border cooperation activities:
• One third (31%) of people living in the border regions are aware of EU funded cross-border cooperation activities in their region.
• Awareness is generally highest among the respondents living in the border regions in the Eastern and Central countries.
Reasons for crossing the border to a neighbouring country:
• Around three quarters (76%) of respondents have travelled to another country. • Respondents living in the border regions in the Northern and Central countries are generally more likely to travel abroad.
• Respondents are most likely to travel to a partner country for leisure activities including tourist visits (57%), followed by more than one third (35%) who do this to shop for goods or services. Only 14% travel for work or business purposes. Ireland and the United Kingdom (Northern Ireland) is the only border where at least half of all respondents have crossed the border to see friends.
Level of trust of people living in the border regions:
• A vast majority (61%) of respondents agree that most people can be trusted. Respondents living in the Scandinavian countries are generally more likely to agree that most people can be trusted.
• There are few differences between levels of comfort when it comes to having a citizen from a partner country as a neighbour (59% feeling totally comfortable with this statement), work colleague or a family member (both 58%). Respondents are less likely to be comfortable with having a citizen of a partner country as a manager (49%).
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