Cross-border cooperation · Border territories · European programmes
A shared project, a cooperation framework that suits it, and the financing to deliver it. For border authorities, European programmes and institutions.
The issue
Lasting cross-border cooperation means thinking the project, the framework that carries it and its financing together, with or without a European programme.
Between partners with different statuses, legal systems and administrative cultures, a lasting cooperation rests on a shared project, a framework that carries it and the financing that keeps it alive. That framework may be a simple agreement, an association or a dedicated structure: the choice starts from the project, not from the tool. We work on each of these layers.
Agreement, association, European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC), local cross-border grouping: a dedicated structure is not always necessary. Compare before choosing.
Allocation of votes, roles and resources between partners on either side of the border.
Member contributions, national co-funding, European programmes such as INTERREG: a possible support for projects, not a precondition of cooperation.
Team, budget, monitoring and evaluation tools, relations with national authorities.
Municipalities, inter-municipal bodies, regions and existing groupings that want to launch, consolidate or restructure a cooperation: needs assessment, comparison of frameworks, agreement or statutes, governance and first projects.
Programme bodies, States and international institutions that need an outside view on the legal and administrative obstacles to cross-border projects, on the design and evaluation of programmes, or on how local cooperation frameworks fit with European and national rules.
On either side of a border, powers, procedures and controls differ. The framework chosen must hold on both sides without blocking either partner.
Comparing an agreement, an association and a grouping against the project, the members and the financing avoids creating a structure that is not needed, or choosing one that does not fit.
Administrative cultures, calendars and priorities differ. Workshops with partners from both sides make it possible to decide together.
In previous roles, Jonathan Boudry provided technical and legal support to the creation of several EGTCs and of a local cross-border cooperation grouping, and contributed to the definition of INTERREG programmes (see below).
Method
Our method in three stages, run with partners on both sides of the border: the project first, the framework second.
Shared diagnosis. A diagnosis shared by partners on both sides of the border.
Frameworks compared. Decide whether a structure is needed, and which one.
Acts and projects. Formalise and launch.
What we examine to compare frameworks
| Legal personality | Capacity to contract, employ and hold a budget, or hosting by one of the partners |
|---|---|
| Eligible members | Local authorities, States, public bodies, other organisations |
| Applicable law | Law of the seat, regime of acts, supervision, accounting |
| Governance | Allocation of votes, chair, assembly, management |
| Financing | Member contributions, co-funding, possible access to European programmes |
The same method applies to other forms of public cooperation body.
| Stage | What we do | What you receive |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnosis |
| Shared cross-border diagnosis and cooperation priorities |
| Scenarios |
| Comparison grid of cooperation frameworks and a reasoned recommendation |
| Formalisation |
| Draft agreement or statutes, and decisions to be taken |
| Financing and projects |
| Roadmap, financing plan and support to project development |
Experience
Assignments carried out before the firm was founded, within public bodies or on their behalf. Anonymised presentation; details and contact persons are provided on request.
Jonathan Boudry · before the firm was founded
With a State outside the European Union. Project management assistance: inherited legal framework, three arrangements compared (international agreement, EGTC, in-house operation), operating modes, phased recommendation.
Jonathan Boudry · before the firm was founded
Between two regions and a non-EU State, project co-funded by INTERREG. Cooperation framework: the laws of the three countries, partnerships compared, EGTC recommended. Coordination of design offices: ticketing, rolling stock, signage.
Jonathan Boudry · before the firm was founded
For a cross-border urban area and for mountain, rural, urban and maritime territories: choice of structure, statutes and governance.
Jonathan Boudry · before the firm was founded
Contribution to the definition and evaluation of INTERREG programmes; projects supported by these programmes.
Jonathan Boudry · before the firm was founded
For State services and an association of local authorities; support to the Luxembourg Presidency of the Council of the EU on territorial cohesion.
Jonathan Boudry · before the firm was founded
For an international institution: pilot projects in three West African countries.
General presentation, which is not legal advice: each cooperation calls for its own analysis. See also our expertise page for the full range of services.
A confidential first conversation, with no commitment, to clarify your needs and the useful scope.
