Interregional cooperation in regional policy: a dynamic mechanism

1. Ministero dello Sviluppo Economico Interregional cooperation in regional policy: a dynamic mechanism Rossella RUSCA Naples, 14-15 October 2009

2. A little bit of history • Negotiationsforthe 2007-2013 period • Territorial cooperationisacknowledgedas an importanttoolof European addedvaluefor territorial developmentandcohesion • All theterritoriesshouldhavethepossibilitytodevelop all formsofcooperation, when, where, andwithwhomisneeded • Interregional cooperationshouldbecome also partofthe regional operational programmes, in additiontowhatismadeunderthe European Territorial Cooperation Programme • Art 37.6.b isentered in the Regulation (EC) 1083/2006

3. Whatisabout Art. 37.6.b Whereas… (4)… the value added of cross-border, transnational and interregional cooperation in the Community should be increased … (44) Member States and managing authorities may organise…within the operational programmes co-financed by the ERDF the arrangements for interregional cooperation Art.37.6.b establishesthat … At the initiative of the Member State, the operational programmes financed by the ERDF may also contain for the Convergence and Regional competitiveness and employment objectives…actions for interregional cooperation with, at least, one regional or local authority of another Member State.

4. Why Art. 37.6.b in additionto ETC programmes? • Regions have the need to cooperate also bilaterally with regions with which they do not share a cross-border territorial cooperation programme • Interregional cooperation is not just a question of networking and exchange of good practices • Interregional cooperation has to be functional and supportive of each region development strategy • Interregional cooperation is a win-win approach by which territories can develop their own comparative advantages meanwhile getting shared objectives and results

5. The Italian NSRF and Art. 37.6.b • …In Convergence and competitiveness OPs interregional cooperation actions must be referred to the priorities of each OP and be supportive to it, by providing the possibility of realizing joint interventions with other EU regions, whose collaboration can contribute to reach in a more effective way the objectives of the OP because these joint actions can • Either provide to the Italian interested regions the possibility to get competences, knowledge, innovations that the region does not have or cannot have in a sufficient way • Or provide the possibiliityto put on anextra-domestic market the territorialresourcesof the region, enhancingitsgrowth and competitivenesspotentials

6. The State of the art • Territorial cooperation and regional programmes continue to be separated worlds • Neither the EC, nor the Member States encouraged the implementation of Art.37.6.b • Nobody knows, at EU level: • Wthat OP/regions in what Member State want to use Art. 37.6 b or would be interested to use it • How to practically implement it

7. The Italian case • The NSRF includes territorial cooperationas a fullcomponentoftheItalianstrategyfor regional development • Interregional cooperationispromotedbothwithinthecountry (Interregional Operational Programmes-POIn) and in the sense of Art. 37.6.b • 10 regionsforeseetoimplement Art.37.6.b, andappointsignificantresourcestothatscope • Howandwithwhatregionscouldtheyimplementthatpartoftheir OP?

8. What we do expect as a follow-up of the Seminar • INTERACT provides: • An in-depthanalysisofthesituationatthe EU and MS level • A preciselistofproblemstobesolved, ofquestionstobeanwered, andofpossiblesolutions (procedures, etc..) • The EC-DG REGIO provides: • A clearandfullanswertothequestions • Practicalguidanceto Member State andregions • Member States andregionsprovide • Monitoringandevaluationactivities

9. Thank you for your attention Rossella Rusca Ministry of Economic Development Department for Development and Economic Cohesion rossella.rusca@tesoro.it