Cooperation intensity, 2000-2013

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Observations for policy

The involvement of stakeholders in transnational and interregional cooperation differs widely throughout Europe. Largely, cooperation intensity in the core of Europe tends to be lower than in other parts. However, disparities within the countries are quite remarkable, and are usually greater than the disparities between countries.

Policy context

Cooperation is an important dimension of European integration and European regional policy. Cross-border cooperation is oldest form and dominant in terms of number of cooperation areas and money.

Interregional cooperation, also known as INTERREG strand C, covers all EU Member States, and more. It builds networks to develop good practice and facilitate the exchange and transfer of experience by successful regions. It showcases what regions do well, to the benefit of those still investing. Transnational co-operation, also known as INTERREG strand B, takes place among local and regional authorities located in a coherent geographic area. The aim of projects within this strand is to share common assets and constraints.

All these types of cooperation allow meaningful work between regions and added value for Europe. As for the upcoming programme period (2014-2020) it is expected that territorial cooperation programmes will increase in importance and financial volume.

Map interpretation

The map shows cooperation intensity within transnational and interregional cooperation in both 2000-2006 and 2007-2013 period (INTERREG IIIB, IVB, IIIC and IVC). The involvement of partners in transnational and interregional cooperation is measured by the number of project partners related to the number of inhabitants in the regions. The highest values are recorded in regions (1) with a large number of projects and (2) with a small population.

The highest levels of cooperation intensity (relative to the number of inhabitants) can be observed in regions in Sweden, Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Scotland, Portugal, Austria, Slovenia, Greece, Cyprus and Italy.

Notably, regions in the core of Europe often show rather low cooperation intensities whereas regions located in the geographic peripheries show higher intensity of cooperation.

Overall, the imbalances within countries are quite remarkable, and are usually greater than the disparities between countries. Countries that show big internal disparities related to the intensity of cooperation in interregional and transnational cooperation are United Kingdom, Spain and Norway.

Concepts and methods

Intensity of cooperation for the period between 2000 and 2013 was measured through an analysis of the location of all partners in INTERREG IIIB, IVB, IIIC and IVC projects. Intensity has been calculated: