GO! Borderless Square

Advised entity: GECT GO / EZTS GO

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As part of the 2025 European joint Capital of Culture, Nova Gorica (Slovenia) and Gorizia (Italy) will organize events and activities in the shared area of the piazza Transalpina – Trg Evrope square. Yet, the different and sometimes incompatible systems of national rules between the two cities on several matters (security, insurance coverage, music rights) make the management of events in a cross-border area more complex.

 

 

Facilitating youth mobility across borders

Advised entity: EGTC European Region Tyrol-South Tyrol-Trentino

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Based on an Italian law, it is required that minors obtain the approval of the police to travel abroad. Parents and schools have to go through a burdensome procedure which affects the mobility of minors, including students going on a school trip, in the European Region Tyrol-South Tyrol-Trentino and in all Italian border regions.

 

 

Water governance in European Natural Park of Scarpe Escaut 

Advised entity: European Natural Park of Scarpe Escaut Plains

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Even though the abundance of transboundary watersheds has brought the French and Belgian territories of the European Natural Park of Scarpe Escaut Plains closer together, shared water management also causes problems. Different regulations on the two sides of the border make it difficult to implement holistic actions, which is further complicated by the number of stakeholders involved. A recent dike break with severe consequences for the population and the environment has highlighted once more the importance of a common set of legal and technical tools for joint coordination of the park.

 

 

Cross-border acknowledgement of dealer plates 

Advised entity: EUREGIO 

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A lack of cooperation between competent authorities in Germany and the Netherlands creates obstacles for car dealers, workshops or manufacturers in the EUREGIO border area who use so-called “dealer plates” for vehicles in their businesses. Dutch and German dealer plates differ with regard to the requirements for obtaining it as well as its appearance, and although the EU Commission has urged member states to recognise foreign dealer plates, this is not the case between Germany and the Netherlands. As a result, car dealers often face difficulties or even have to fear police measures if they want to cross the border for a test drive or have cars repaired in the neighbouring country.

 

 

Boosting Minho River cross-border sharing services

Advised entity: River Minho EGTC 

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In the Rio Minho border region, the first truly joint cross-border e-bike system between Spain and Portugal was established in 2022, reflecting the strong sentiment for cross-border cooperation in this densely populated region. Although the e-bike system is managed by the Rio Minho EGTC, which is a European legal entity with its own legal personality, tax regulations complicate the shared management of the project. In particular, it was necessary for the EGTC, which has its seat in Portugal, to set up a secondary office in Spain in order to comply with VAT requirements. Finding a solution to fiscal obstacles would greatly enhance the efficiency of such shared public services.

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