Since it was set up in 2010, the main aim of Pannon EGTC has been to
develop cross-border cooperation along the Croatian-Slovenian-Hungarian border
and support economic cooperation in the region. After Croatia joined the EU,
Croatian municipalities connected with their counterparts in Slovenia and
Hungary, which were already EU members. Pannon EGTC provides a tool for facilitating
and strengthening collaboration between its members, as well as promoting
economic and social cohesion in the region. The EGTC plans to generate and
coordinate the implementation of cross-border projects.
Pannon EGTC currently has 65 members: 62 municipalities, 3 regional organisations,
the University of Pécs, the University of Kaposvár, and Duna-Dráva National
Park. It operates across Baranya, Somogy, Tolna and Zala counties in Hungary; Verőce-Drávamente,
Eszék-Baranya, Muraköz and Kapronca-Kőrös counties in Croatia; and in Muravidék
in Slovenia.
Organisational
changes have given the EGTC a broad vision for its future activity. Pannon EGTC is currently
working on the following projects:
- SHARE – part of Interreg Europe – concerns
sustainable cultural heritage protection programmes and the search for good
practices. The grouping has gained the status of project
partner in the Interreg Europe programme, opened new offices on both the
Hungarian and Croatian side, and mobilised Croatian and Slovenian
partners.
- The CrossMarkets project – a B-solutions
initiative – supports local farmers in getting their produce to regional
markets more effectively.
- With financial support under the Interreg
V-A Hungary-Croatia 2014-2020 programme, Pannon EGTC is involved in
preparing, assessing and supporting the 2021-2027 Hungarian-Croatian
cross-border cooperation programme and in preparations
for the next long-term EU budget.
- Through the Interreg Europe INTER VENTURES
project, Pannon EGTC supports the internationalisation of local businesses
by promoting cross-border economic ecosystems, in collaboration with eight
European partners.
