The EGTC Eurodistrict SaarMoselle results from a partnership between France and Germany; involving 800 000 inhabitants between the Saar and the Moselle.
This EGCT was established to develop the cross-border area.
Review of activities in 2016
Tasks
The EGTC develops joint strategies of economic growth to enhance common territorial marketing and collaboration of the promoters of economic development. It also develops joint strategies of social cohesion in the health sector and in the learning of the neighbour language. Regarding the joint management of public services, the EGTC tries to develop cross-border day-care facilities for toddlers.
In the remaining period 2014-2020, the EGTC plans to execute
- projects targeting the development of cross-border planning processes;
- a tourism project with the aim to improve sites of industry culture and to market their touristic added-value and products,
- several other projects to increase the border permeability and studies relating to a new tram-train line that will connect Saarbrücken (Germany) with Forbach (France).
It has become increasingly difficult for EGTCs with communal partners to get EU funding because of increasing competition. Targets and objectives set in the programmes have recently become more distanced from the needs of citizens. The main priority is on large-scale projects to foster innovation and economic development. People-to-people projects barely stand a chance to attract funding in some Interreg Programmes.
Challenges or issues
The EGTC faces difficulties with regard to the employment of staff from the two countries, as they have different working hours per week, different rules with regard to salaries, public holidays, number of days off, etc. In addition, it is difficult for the EGTC to find bilingual staff who are qualified and willing to accept the working conditions.
Budget
€ 1,150,000
EU-funded projects and programmes in phase of imple-mentation in 2016
4 projects under Interreg VA Grande Région:
1. Centre d'aide à la mobilitée transfrontalière (Increasing youth employability) – total project budget € 2,732,675.18 (of which 60% co-funded by EU), € 150,000 implemented by the EGTC;
2. Des clefs pour l’avenir des jeunes dans la GR: langues, interculturalité, information et orientation professionnelle via l’éducation (Increasing youth employability) – total project budget € 7,280,064.27 (of which 60% co-funded by EU), € 90,000 implemented by the EGTC;
3. Ticketing Sarre-Moselle (cross-border-ticketing-system for buses) – total project budget € 3,135,000 (of which 60% co-funded by EU), € 144,050 implemented by the EGTC;
4. COSANGR (cooperation in health sector) – total project budget € 1,366,500 (of which 60% co-funded by EU), € 40,000 implemented by the EGTC.
Staff (in FTE)
1 directly hired during 2016; 5.25 employed indirectly
