Fit4Co CBO
With Fit for Cooperation, the European Region supports the planning of cross-border projects in the cooperation area Italy-Austria.
Apply for the Fit4Co programme with a project idea and/or project partner (by 15 July 2024): https://bit.ly/Anmeldung_iscrizione_Fit4co
Do you have questions about the Fit4Co programme?
> Here you will find useful answers to frequently asked questions (Deutsch, italiano).
> Here you can find information about the Fit4Co CBO programme (Deutsch, italiano).
> The Fit4Co team will be happy to help you. Contact us and we will arrange a meeting (online or in presence). You can find our contact details in the info box.
Cross-border projects have many obstacles: different languages, cultures, legal systems, distribution of competences, etc. Public administrations represent no exception. On the other hand, cross-border cooperation comes with many new opportunities, for example the possibility to address cross-border challenges that cannot be solved otherwise (e.g. Brenner Base Tunnel). The exchange of competences and best practices is made possible through cross-border cooperation. And there is also EU funding that supports a more united Europe through financial means.
With Fit4Co CBO, cross-border projects in the area of the Euregio Tyrol-South Tyrol-Trentino can be tackled in a structured manner with the support of project coaches. A stakeholder process on cross-border obstacles is taking place in the area of the Euregio Without Borders.
Fit4Co: New projects for the Euregio
Practice has shown that planning cross-border projects comes with several difficulties. This is where Fit4Co comes in. It is conceived as a starter package for kickstarting cross-border cooperation in the public sector.
Through the support of the Euregio Office, some of the cross-border obstacles can be overcome: the EGTC can promote the connection between member administrations, coordinate their actions, organize meetings with funding bodies (for instance INTERREG), and offer many other tailor-made solutions to enhance cooperation. In addition, the Euregio provides interested administrations with consultants specialised in project management (in the Fit4Co CBO project-jargon they are referred to as “coaches”). At the request of the interested administrations, other experts can be brought in as needed.
The result of Fit4Co CBO? Many excellently planned cross-border projects that have been made "fit" for submission to funding agencies (e.g. Interreg). Through these projects, the European region will grow even closer together over the coming years.
Furthermore, participants and public officials in the Euregio will be introduced to the essential areas of cross-border project management through a specific Fit4Co CBO training programme.
Unique cooperation between two Euroregions
Fit4Co is the first initiative in which two Euroregions joined forces in a common INTERREG-project. The project was presented in Brussels as a best-practice project of cross-border cooperation during the European Week of Regions and Cities 2020. Building on this, the two EGTCs want to work even more closely together in the future to further deepen cross-border cooperation in the Italy-Austria cooperation area.
More information:
Final publication on the project results of Fit4Co (English)
More info on the project on the: Fit4Co website
Infoflyer (Italian and German)