Specific programme: Interreg VI-A Spain-France-Andorra POCTEFA 2021-2027

Project title: Institute for Cross-border Cooperation

Acronym: ICT

Objective: The objective of the project is the creation and development of the Institute for Cross-border Cooperation "Euro-Institut Pyrene", which materialises the desire of three border universities (University of Pau and Pays de l'Adour-European Documentation and Research Centre, Public University of Navarre and University of the Basque Country) to participate in the cross-border event by making their scientific knowledge available to the territory. It includes actions to define the legal, economic and governance model, the charter of services, and the development of a local, regional and European network of experts in cross-border cooperation.

Research team:

• Iker Nabaskues Martinez de Eulate (Principal Investigator)
• Andrea Meijomil González
• Olga Vicente Sarasua

Partner Entities:

• University of Pau and Pays de l'Adour - European Documentation and Research Centre (Project Leader)
• University of the Basque Country/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea
• Public University of Navarra

Total budget: €1,066,914.48

ERDF budget: €693,493.99

Project start: 04/09/2023

Project end: 04/09/2026

Total project duration: 3 years, 0 months and 0 days

Project Summary: On both sides of the Pyrenees, the border territories have a long experience of cooperation and carry out a multitude of projects cross-border cooperation in all areas (health, mobility, economy, environment, etc.). However, in their cross-border relations, administrations, companies and other local entities encounter legal, administrative, cultural and linguistic obstacles. Many projects require studies with a cross-border dimension, for which it is not always easy to find the appropriate expertise. Thus, universities are committed to the fact that an integrated vision of the territory will only be possible by improving the knowledge of the actors on the cross-border problems they encounter. The project of the Institute for Transborder Cooperation (ICT) materializes the desire of three border universities (University of Pau and Pays de l'Adour - European Documentation and Research Centre, Public University of Navarre and University of the Basque Country) to participate in the cross-border event by making their scientific knowledge available to the territory. This will involve laying the foundations, in close collaboration with local public and private actors, for the operation of the ICT. A prefiguration study will determine the legal, economic and governance model to ensure the viability of the ICT project. At the same time, a needs assessment will make it possible to design a service offering that best meets the needs of cross-border actors. The project gives an important role to experimentation with the organisation of training sessions, laboratories and thematic studies to meet the expectations of the cross-border territory from the outset. Finally, the project will allow the ICT to weave the necessary links for the development of a local, regional and European network of experts in cross-border cooperation, essential for its sustainability.

The ICT project has been 65% co-financed by the European Union through the Interreg VI-A Spain-France-Andorra Programme (POCTEFA 2021-2027). The objective of POCTEFA is to strengthen the economic and social integration of the Spain-France-Andorra border area.

More information about the programme:

https://www.poctefa.eu/

https://www.europarl.europa.eu/factsheets/en/sheet/95/european-federal-regional-development-fund