NEEBOR - The Network of Eastern External Border Regions

Because of the enlargements of the European Union in 2004 and 2007 new dimensions of territorial co-operation have appeared along its eastern borders, generating new difficulties but also offering great potential. The eastern border of the European Union stretches from the Barents Sea to the Mediterranean, and along this 5.500 kilometer border lie 12 member states of the EU (Cyprus, Bulgaria, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia) and 63 of their regions.

These regions share similar, if not identical, development challenges, which differ from those of other EU regions and  require specific measures and above all new approaches to soloutions. The fact that they lay on the external borders in eastern Europe puts them in the challenging position of being “bridges” of Europe with its neighbors. Cross – border co-operation has been singled out as one of the areas of territorial co-operation, and joint efforts on both sides of the border are needed urgently.

NEEBOR aims to increase the awareness of EU institutions, member states, regions and local authorities and the civil organizations on both sides of the borders of the weaknesses and strengths of the cross-border region. NEEBOR will serve as a platform for open dialogue and coordination of joint actions and initiatives in order to promote the exchange of good practices and enhance cooperation and synergies in the region.

Members:

• Association of Estonian Cities and Association of Municipalities of Estonia
• Association of Local Authorities in Lithuania
• Council of Oulu Region (Finland)
• County Council of Békés County (Hungary)
• County Council of Hajdú-Bihar County (Hungary)
• County Council of Somogy County (Hungary)
• Hungarian Public Nonprofit Company for Regional Development and Town Planning
• Initiatives France-Hongrie
• Košice Region (Slovakia)
• Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments
• Lubelskie Region (Poland)
• Podlaskie Region (Poland)
• Warminsko-Mazurskie Region (Poland)
• Podkarpackie Region (Poland)
• Municipality of Burgas (Bulgaria)
• Municipality of Varna (Bulgaria)
• Municipality of Plovdiv (Bulgaria)
• National Union of County Councils of Romania
• North Great Plain Regional Development Agency (Hungary)
• Prešov Region (Slovakia)
• Region of East Macedonia and Thrace (Greece)
• Regional Council of Etelä-Savo (Finland)
• Regional Council of Kainuu (Finland)
• Regional Council of Kymenlaakso (Finland)
• Regional Council of Lapland (Finland)
• Regional Council of North Karelia (Finland)
• Regional Council of Pohjois-Savo (Finland)
• Regional Council of South Karelia (Finland)
• South Great Plain Region (Hungary)
• South-Transdanubian Regional Development Agency (Hungary)
• Union of Cyprus Municipalities
• West-Pannonian Regional Development Agency
• Brussels Representation of Croatian Pannonia

Mission:

NEEBOR’s mission is to operate an enhanced co-operation network, to improve the visibility of eastern external borders and to promote understanding and management of these regions of the European Union, in order to shape an area of co-operation and prevent the emergence of new dividing lines. NEEBOR was set up in the spirit of good neighbourly relations and its main objective is to effectively contribute to the realization of a sound regional policy based on solidarity.

Objectives:

1. Promote the visibility of eastern external border regions
2. Dissemination of best practices
3. Activation of organisations on both sides of the border
4. Facilitating the utilisation of financing instruments
5. Networking

Activities:

NEEBOR activities will cover three main dimensions:

1. Co-operation among the regional representation offices in Brussels:

• this level of co-operation will consists of preparations for basic decisions and events
• responsible for the day-to-day operation of NEEBOR and running a secretariat
• maitains contact with competent EU-institutions and other Brussels located institutions
• manages information and data base

This level will feature among others:

• Brussels network meetings
• Thematic seminars
• Annual Conference / Seminar

2. Co-operation with the individual national regions:

• the regional representations will keep in touch with individual regions of their own country, ensuring a flow of information and active participation in NEEBOR activities
• NEEBOR Secretariat will supply members with information about the network

3. Multi-purpose co-operation among eastern regions on both sides of the border:

• the purpose is to generate vertical (inter-regional)co-operation and to increase horizontal (cross-border) co-operation among border regions
• will be encouraged to start joint projects
• will assess prevailing conditions and provide essential information for NEEBOR on developments and shortcomings
• will propose subjects to be dealt with by NEEBOR

For more information on NEEBOR in different languages, please visit the following websites:

• www.ucm.org.cy
• www.po-kraj.sk

or contact:

NEEBOR

24, Avenue Palmerston
B-1000 Brussels
BELGIUM

Telephone+32 2 239 22 20
Telefax +32 2 231 01 22
e-mail: neebor@ramk.fi