LOOKING BACK: ITEM ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2024

This requires vision, action and an integrated approach where parties recognise and assume their responsibilities. This insight is also propagated by chairman HNP, CdK Arthur van Dijk. Effective lobbying in relation to the new cohesion policy requires efforts not only in Brussels but also with national governments. Coalitions of the willing are essential here. Consider examples such as information from the Schakelpunt Grensbelemmeringen Vlaanderen-Nederland and the Benelux Union. Even if, for example, European Interreg funds come to an end, the need for the Schakelpunt Grensbelemmeringen Vlaanderen-Nederland will remain. Experimentation, information exchange and cross-border cooperation remain necessary. Governor of East Flanders Carina van Cauter, stressed the importance of listening to regional signals and translating them into concrete solutions: “We listen to what resonates with cities, municipalities and provincial governments, pick up problems and deal with them. We analyse them well and work out solution directions, supported by universities to then put it on the board tables”.

This approach, as also the Schakelpunt Grensbelemmeringen Vlaanderen-Nederland handles, promotes the realisation of policies that meet the needs of border regions. Local actors in border areas have been active, creative and bottom-up driven for many years. They organise cross-border cooperation and remain crucial. Also on topics such as climate, energy and circularity, with shared responsibilities through structures and dialogue. This calls for multilevel governance: sharing power through structures, platforms and ongoing dialogue. Smart policies link border areas to international value chains, and that brings success and added value. So give border areas a place in strategic debates. Use data and success stories to strengthen border areas as engines of cohesion and refute gut feelings of other kinds.

Prof. Dr Birte Wassenberg, professor of modern history at the University of Strasbourg placed the need for cross-border cooperation in a historical perspective. She argued that cooperation has been an essential building block for centuries of border regions and will remain so into the future. Border regions, accounting for 40 per cent of EU territory, act as “living labs” where innovative solutions are tested and implemented, according to Wassenberg. Local and regional actors remain active and initiate movement in border areas. They provide strong bottom-up pressure with their own structures, keeping the foundation. It is precisely the preservation of this foundation that should receive attention in European cohesion policy after 2027. Erwin Hoogland, deputy of the province of Overijssel, stated that daring to choose, focus and dare to invest in collaborations, also between economically strong regions, is crucial. He stressed that European cohesion policy should, on the one hand, support lagging regions without losing sight of cooperation between stronger regions. On the other hand, it should focus on innovation across borders for sustainable digital, social and green transitions. However, innovation also involves risks, but these can be seen as learning moments: “Failure is a success in progress,” says Hoogland. This attitude calls for a shift in public policy, in which risk appetite is central. The shared story (narrative) is therefore important with attention to the following preconditions for success:

1. Willingness & commitment
2. Capacity & funding
3. Legal instruments
4. Governance & coordination
5. Geographical scope (decentralism)
6. Capacity expertise & network

A strategic debate is needed where regions jointly set goals and can also negotiate themselves. For such an effective cohesion policy, funding, multi-level governance and better regulation with evaluation tools are essential. Place-based solutions and their evaluations should be central, said Thomas Wobben of the Committee of the Regions. The challenge then is to link this place-based approach of the Committee of the Regions with the sector-based approach of the European Commission. Integrating border regions into steering international value chains can strengthen Europe’s competitiveness. Showcase successes and added value, using existing structures and platforms to have continuous dialogue with each other and not forgetting the involvement of citizens.

Draghi calls for a European industrial policy that encourages innovation, sustainability and independence. A strengthened single market is essential here, as is addressing border barriers, which limit economic value and the labour market. Border regions can then serve as “living labs” for integration, where successful initiatives contribute to European stability and competitiveness.

The conference highlighted the shift from the Green Deal to an Industrial Deal, presenting cross-border cooperation between member states as a prerequisite for success. It underlined that sustainable economic development, infrastructure and livability require a consistent investment climate, fair tariffs and a level playing field within Europe. For this transition, functioning European transport corridors are essential. The question does remain how European direction can promote this needed cross-border cooperation and what is the impact of European industrial policy on border regions. According to Carl de Maré (Programme Director Smart Delta Resource (SDR)), one challenge lies in maintaining a level playing field within the industry: “Europe’s industry chooses the path of sustainability, but we don’t consistently apply it at Europe’s borders. We accept products that do not meet our criteria.” This highlights the need and relevance of triple helix cooperation to make European industries competitive, sustainable and counterbalance geopolitical challenges.

Innovation is indispensable for strengthening the European economy and achieving climate goals. Mark Andries of the Flemish Agency for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (VLAIO) called for major investments that would enable a leap towards climate neutrality. According to Andries, Europe has strong assets, but it is essential to keep investing and innovating. Hans Meijer, General Counsel & Director Strategic Projects at Deep Branch added: “Do everything in your power to make processes smarter, more efficient and effective. We are losing jobs to America and China. Time is up.” This urgency highlights the need for action at both regional and European level. Europe needs to commit to innovation, infrastructure and investment; this should be taken into account in cohesion policy with evidence and respecting the strength of border regions in order to stand out geopolitically and let its own European competitiveness be its strength.

The ITEM Annual Conference 2024 highlighted the crucial role of border regions as drivers of innovation and cooperation in Europe. Without border regions no Europe, without Interreg no border regions. It is up to layers of government, knowledge institutions and industry to jointly set a forward-looking course. This requires a balance between short-term and long-term actions, with a clear focus on innovation, sustainability and inclusive growth. As several speakers stressed, time is of the essence. Only by acting decisively now can Europe maintain its leading role and achieve a resilient future.