Functional areas in the EU
Functional areas in the EU
Crossing administrative boundaries for green transition and sustainable development
About
About
THE PROJECT
Starting from the understanding that functional area approaches in the EU need to be strengthened and the advantages that they trigger can no longer remain untapped, the European Commission and the World Bank Group signed an administration agreement to improve functional area approaches in the EU. Both institutions have as priorities to reduce poverty and social exclusion and create competitive and sustainable economies, in consequence, direct interaction is beneficial to them and to the beneficiary countries. As such, the functional areas in the EU, crossing administrative boundaries for green transition and sustainable development project is of utmost importance for the future of territorial development in the EU.
Its main objective is to enhance the capacity of participating functional areas to plan and finance investments and services across jurisdictional boundaries for sustainable development.
Overall, this transactional exercise focuses on both urban and non-urban functional areas, with the aim to:
- offer support in addressing key development challenges;
- offer support in preparing for the 2021-2027 Programming Period;
- disseminate the key lessons learned, as well as tools and approaches developed within the project to other functional areas;
- develop a toolkit that other functional areas could use to strengthen their territorial approaches;
- organise knowledge exchange events in order to transfer findings and workable solutions to other interested functional areas in the EU.
Why Functional Areas?
Why Functional Areas?
Development dynamics rarely follow neat administrative boundaries. It can trigger positive spillover effects if aligned with existing economic flows into such areas.
The EU cohesion policy encourages the identification of and support to existing functional areas and the formation of territorial cooperation.
The role of the project is to enhance coordination and cooperation across administrative boundaries and develop an EU toolkit to overcome fragmentation.
The journey
The journey
THE TWELVE FUNCTIONAL AREAS FROM SEVEN EU COUNTRIES
The twelve functional areas were selected out of a pool of fifty functional areas from eight member states that applied to be part of the project. This selection contains both more mature and incipient functional areas, as well as urban and non-urban functional areas.
Project updates
Project updates
Knowledge Exchange on Identification of Flagship Projects and Funding Opportunities
KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE: FAs IN THE EU Takeaways from the Knowledge Exchange on Identification of Flagship Projects and Funding Opportunities Discover the main insights from [...]
TAIEX-REGIO Study Visit between West Athens and Bucharest’s District 6
TAIEX-REGIO Study Visit between West Athens and Bucharest's District 6 Accelerating social inclusion, integration and innovation by capitalizing on European funding sources On the [...]
Knowledge Exchange on Land Suitability Analysis
KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE: FAs IN THE EU Takeaways from the Knowledge Exchange on Land Suitability Analysis Workshop Take a moment to find out the [...]
Knowledge Exchange on Metropolitan Development between Oradea and Brno
TAIEX-REGIO Study Visit between Oradea & Brno Knowledge Exchange on Metropolitan Development between Oradea and Brno 2023 has started with exciting activities for Oradea and [...]
FAs in the EU featured in the ESPON magazine
FAs IN THE EU FEATURED IN THE ESPON TERRITORIAL MAGAZINE We need to share this with you The Functional Areas in the [...]
Kick-off meeting for organizing knowledge exchange activities
KICK-OFF MEETING: FAs IN THE EU The kick-off meeting for organization of knowledge exchange activities for functional areas participating in the “Functional areas in the [...]
The Functional Area Approaches 101 Workshop
EUROPEAN WEEK OF REGIONS AND CITIES Summary and take away ideas Watch the “Functional Approaches 101: How to cooperate across municipal boundaries?” workshop [...]
Kick-off meeting: Functional Areas in the EU
KICK-OFF MEETING: FAs IN THE EU The kick-off meeting with the 12 functional areas that will receive short-term support A total of 24 functional areas [...]
European Week of Regions and Cities
EUROPEAN WEEK OF REGIONS AND CITIES We need to share this with you This year, together with DG REGIO and The World Bank, we are [...]
Pilot project: functional areas in the EU
Pilot project: functional areas in the EU European Commission and World Bank Group launched a pilot project to improve functional area approaches in the EU [...]
The seven kick-off meetings
THE SEVEN KICK-OFF MEETINGS June 3 "Kick-off meeting: Functional Areas in the EU", for the Kalisko-Ostrowska Agglomeration and Krakowska Metropolis June 7 "Kick-off meeting: [...]
Share your experience
Share your experience
CITIZENS:
Are you living in one of the following functional areas: Brno Metropolitan Area, Zagreb Urban Agglomeration, West Athens, Lake Balaton Area, Kalisko-Ostrowska Agglomeration, Metropolia Krakowska, Jiu Valley and Jiu Conurbation, Caraș-Timiș Functional Area, Cluj Metropolitan Association, Oradea Metropolitan Area, West Ialomița Area, Trencin?
If yes, now is the time to take part into the process of creating its future and make your voice heard! You just need to share a challenge and a possible solution (if you have it).
Are you living in one of the following functional areas: Brno Metropolitan Area, Zagreb Urban Agglomeration, West Athens, Lake Balaton Area, Kalisko-Ostrowska Agglomeration, Metropolia Krakowska, Jiu Valley and Jiu Conurbation, Caraș-Timiș Functional Area, Cluj Metropolitan Association, Oradea Metropolitan Area, West Ialomița Area, Trencin?
If yes, now is the time to take part into the process of creating its future and make your voice heard! You just need to share a challenge and a possible solution (if you have it).
DECISION-MAKERS FAs:
If you represent one of the above-mentioned functional areas, or any other functional area in the European Union, use the “FAs Network” button to join a newly created network to create synergies, learn from each other, and improve functional area approaches inside the EU by exchanging knowledge.
Be a part of the network.
If you represent one of the above-mentioned functional areas, or any other functional area in the European Union, use the “FAs Network” button to join a newly created network to create synergies, learn from each other, and improve functional area approaches inside the EU by exchanging knowledge.
Be a part of the network.