Cross Border Cooperation for the Labour MarketOpen Days, 10 October 2007 – Workshop 10D12

Dr. Reinhold Kolck / Monika FrickeEms Dollart Region, Chamber of Industry and Commerce for East Frisia and

Papenburg, Centre for Work in Leer, Association of European Border Regions

Points to be addressed

I. Cross-border cooperation at the Dutch-German border- short introduction to the Ems Dollart Region

II. Best practice examples of cross-border projects- in support of the Lisbon Strategy

III. The Centre for Work in Leer- best practice in cross-border job placements

1978-1998: Three cross-border “action programmes”

1991: Operational Programme INTERREG I

1992: Anholt Treaty

1994: Operational Programme INTERREG II

1997: EDR becomes a public law based purpose association

2000: Operational Programme INTERREG III (35 Mio. €)

2007: Start of INTERREG IV

Today: 105 members (cities, communities, organisations)

I. Cross-border cooperation in the EDR

Criteria for project selection:

• Projects should enhance cross-border cohesion and support cross-border cooperation.

• Projects should help improve the labour market situation and the economic structure of the region.

• Project approaches should be practical and people-oriented.

II. Best Practice Examples

In support of the Lisbon Strategy

• “Closing the Gap” in Motorway A 31• “Life Science and Knowledge Transfer”• “Vademecum” of Dutch-German business contacts / “Cross-

border business meetings” (bi- and trinational)• EURES-cross border

II. Best Practice Examples

Landkreis Leer Zentrum für Arbeit

III. The Centre for Work in Leer

Thank you!