The Pirineus-Cerdanya EGTC results from a partnership between France and Spain, involving 23 354inhabitants in a 760.5 km² area.

This EGTC results from the willingness of both members to implement shared projects, which was not possible without this legal framework.

Review of activities in 2016

Tasks: The added value for European Cohesion policy provided by the creation of the EGTC is that it is possible to test the viability and effectiveness of this new type of structure to promote the development of cross-border projects. For now, however, the EGTC structure is too small to truly allow the cross-border development of the territory. The working practices on both sides of the border differ and the problems of the rural territories as well as the financial difficulties of these territories on both sides of the border leave little time and means for a thorough cross-border cooperation, in spite of the legal structure of the EGTC that is dedicated to this end.

The EGTC is currently a cross-border but very local structure (two intercommunalities combined) in a sparsely populated and very rural area. As a result, the EGTC intends to intervene more on a case-by-case basis than to plan a real roadmap. It remains a tool to facilitate the emergence of cross-border projects but at the moment does not constitute an active structure with missions to implement projects with dedicated staff.

Challenges or issues: The EGTC suffered from a very long process of establishment (about three years) due to difficulties in translating and aligning the country regulations and the fact that the relevant French authorities delayed signing of the statutes.

Budget: € 15,000

Staff (in FTE):
The EGTC does not yet employ its own staff but works with employees from the two members.