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Timeline – Annual Conferences

The fourth Annual Conference
The last Annual Conference in the framework of the RFO "Change on Borders" took place on 23rd March 2007 in Krems in the 'Kloster UND' and was organised in close cooperation with the Main Partner region Lower Austria (www.noe.gv.at). This Annual Conference which was attended by approx. 50 people from all over Europe, was combined with two Thematic Forum meetings in Linz and Gmünd and a good opportunity to bring together different stakeholders involved in the RFO.

After some warm welcoming words of Ms Inge Rinke (Member of the Regional Parliament of Lower Austria) and a brief introduction by Ms Birgitt Kocks (Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy of the Federal State North Rhine- Westphalia) as representative of the Lead Partner, the achievements and highlights of the RFO so far and the last year's activities were presented by Mr Risto Poutiainen (North Karelia/ East Finland) on behalf of the three Lead Regions (Presentation) .

The 4th Annual Conference served in particular to show and discuss the impressive sub-project results. Most sub-projects used the opportunity to present their activities by means of project exhibition stands. Furthermore, three sub-projects with a different thematic focus (RiverCross, Labour Market and e-health) were presented more detailed which gave a good insight into the sub-projects' work and effects for cross-border cooperation in the respective Main Partner regions ( RiverCross , Labour Market , e-health ). The sub-project partnerships underlined the fact that the interregional exchange helped to learn from each others - often complementary - expertise and gain useful contacts in other border regions facing similar challenges. The afternoon of the conference was dedicated to discuss challenges and strategies for border regions in light of territorial integration and the Lisbon agenda.

After an introductory speech of Mr Martín Guillermo-Ramírez (Secretary General of the Association of European Border Regions) focusing on key aspects of the Territorial Agenda currently under discussion between the EU-Member States (Presentation) , regional governance and strategy examples of Partner regions were presented: Mr Karl Becker (Association Regional Management Austria) and Mr Robert Schrötter (Government of Upper Austria) gave an overview on the new regional management structures under development in Austria which play an increasing role in bundling regional resources and supporting the implementation of structural funds programmes (Presentation) . Mr Doede Sijtsma (Province of Gelderland) talked about Gelderland's strategy of European cooperation and gave some tips for successful cooperation based on his own experience (Presentation) . These regional examples from the East and West were complemented by two presentations from the Northern Main Partner region Värmland (Mr Sture Hermansson, County Administrative Board of Värmland) and the Southern Main Partner region Navarra (Mr José-Angel Zubiaur, Regional Government of Navarra) (Presentation) , which highlighted in particular cross-border initiatives and future perspectives and challenges of cross-border cooperation in their regions. All speakers made clear that differences in decision-making competences of the neighbouring region is a crucial issue which each border region has to deal with when drafting strategies or projects for cross-border cooperation.

The conference was closed by an outlook on the future of interregional cooperation presented by Ms Ilka Meisel (RFO Coordinator) which concluded in a lively panel discussion about what has been gained out of the RFO so far and how this cooperation could be continued. One aspect being raised in the context of future projects was to focus even more on working groups bringing experts together who are already cooperating in cross-border initiatives and thus, tie cross-border stakeholders closer together.

The conference was, as summarised by the Secretary General of the AEBR, "a first final step towards a new beginning" - it was the last Annual Conference of the RFO and the first conference with a clear outlook into the future.

The third Annual Conference
On 24 March 2006 the third "Change on Borders"-Annual Conference took place and the Lead Partner was very pleased, that the South Aegean region took the efforts of being the host of the meeting (agenda).

On behalf of the Lead Partner, Ms Meisel welcomed the participants and presented an overview of the achievements reached in the course of the year 2005 and highlighted the number of sub-projects already approved and running showing the interest for the cooperation in the RFO framework.

The successful cooperation work was also demonstrated by three sub-projects presenting their first results and achievements. Remarkable is moreover the work within the Thematic Forums, which can be put into an appearance. In the framework of one of the last Thematic Forums in Saxony, for example, a vivid film about the European Cooperation has been produced, which makes the European integration process very transparent.

But in defiance of all these positive outcomes, there are still many challenges and obstacles in cross-border cooperation. In opinion of the Main Partners, in particular the different political structures, the different responsibilities as well as the lack of money for cross-border activities often hinder an effective cooperation across administrative boundaries. In this context, it might be necessary to put more emphasis on the development of practical policy approaches in the future work of the Thematic Forums.

Ms Panopoulou described the draft regulation proposals for European Territorial Cooperation. The Community Initiative will become an objective in its own right, the new Objective 3 "European Territorial Cooperation" (ETC).

Regarding cross-border cooperation, it is planned to reduce the number of programmes and come to larger cooperation areas along borders. It is expected, that this will reduce the administrative costs and bring new innovative projects. "One programme for each border or group of borders" is the motto.

The Territorial cooperation programmes, should be focussing on the Lisbon and Gothenburg priorities in line with the "Regional competitive and employment" objective. According to the new proposal, there should be a simple, transparent and consistent programme framework for project applicants and a thematically organised application and selection process.

The second Annual Conference
of the RFO “Change on Borders” was held on 18 March 2005 in Joensuu, in the Main Partner region North Karelia / East Finland (agenda).

Besides many participants from numerous Main Partner regions also experts and people working in the context of INTERREG took part in this meeting. The RFO Main Partners took the chance to give interesting presentations about the work of the RFO. Besides the work of the Thematic Forums and the approved sub-projects also various ideas for further sub-projects were visualised.

Furthermore Ms Myller, a Finnish Member of the European Parliament, gave an insight in the current discussions on cohesion policy at European level in the context of the different EU budget proposals, which have been put forward by the European Commission and some member states.

In addition a study visit was arranged to the Koli National Park, where an example for an INTERREG IIIA cooperation was visited. In this context, the participants had the possibility to join a guided walk in the snow to the top of the Koli hill to enjoy an impressive view over the lake “Pielinen”.

The first Annual Conference
of “Change on Borders” was held on 1st of March 2004 in Düsseldorf, Germany (agenda).

During the meeting representatives of the partner regions discussed future strategies of the Thematic Forums and first ideas for RFO sub-projects, the Sub-theme Working Groups.

Participants also included members of the regional partnership within the partner regions, e.g. representatives of relevant Euroregions or Chambers. The partners also exchanged views on the Third Cohesion report of the EU on economic and social cohesion.