The expression “Europe of the Regions” refers to vertical and horizontal subsidiarity in EU policy, and to the preservation of microcultural diversity. A third European level, the regional, next to the confederal and national levels, has come into being through transnational cooperation among regions, contributing to further European integration.
In this respect, a significant role is played by Euroregions, associations of cross-border cooperation, promoting social integration and community-building. These voluntary agreements are motivated both by necessity and opportunity. Alone, a regional government has scant possibilities of making itself heard by Commission, and thereby influence decision-making by calling the attention on regional issues that require a European solution. Avoidance of duplication costs and pursuit of scale economies are behind the trend in regional cooperation across frontiers.
What are in detail the advantages of Euroregions? Firstly, a political advantage, strengthening the lobbying power of regional presidents/governors. Secondly, a managerial advantage, enabling the coordination of common projects. Thirdly, a developmental advantage, by promoting a common vision for the whole Euroregion.
The roundtable of regional heads is the highest level of coordination within the Euroregion and permits the participation of regions in EU policy-making. The Italian experiences with Euroregions have centered on infrastructures. This the case of Regio Insubrica, for the drilling of the new Gotthard tunnel, of the Matrioska Project, of the Northeastern region comprising the Barcelona-Kiev Corridor, and the likely Adriatic Euroregion.
Many are the areas of potential intervention: health care, the environment, renewable energies, transportation planning, networking of public utilities. Projects will have to be geared toward sustainability, wide geographic reach beyond border areas, add value through network- and cluster-building. Immaterial assets are crucial, since a Euroregion does not have independent financial resources or tax-levying powers.
Lastly, with reference to strategic planning over wider cross-regional areas – the most difficult to attain – a proposal has been made to constitute the European Group of Cross-Border Cooperation, which together with Euroregions could facilitate an institutional framework and a regulated context where microeconomic incentives to cooperation emerge and strengthen relations, networks, common initiatives, territorial mobility, in a positive-sum game where all participants stand to gain.
by Alberto Bramanti,
Associate Professor of Applied Economics