INTERNAL INTERREGIONAL
COOPERATION PROJECTS
(Article 10 of the statutes for European funds for regional development)
1 - THE RECITE EXPERIENCE 1990-1995 :
The widespread of a cooperative culture
In 1990 the European Commission launched 15 experimental projects which came into
being in 1991. After reviewing the findings of these undertakings, a call for proposals
was made at the end of 1991 for the creation of the programme RECITE. The activities
undertaken by the 21 selected organizations began in 1992. Between 1991 and 1996 the
RECITE programme, with the aid of over 48 million euros, was able to create 36
interregional cooperative institutions.
The results dating from the period 1991-1996 show a
true widespread of cooperative culture. At the same time these findings contribute most
specifically to :
- the sharing of common experiences by European
participants of diverse backgrounds.
- the reinforcement of economic and social cohesion,
through the participation of local actors from disadvantaged cities and regions in future
or existing cooperation networks.
- the development of a sense of European identity in
local authorities.
In conclusion, these undertakings constitute an
important factor in the realm of European integration. Moreover, the experience served to
define the framework for the setting up of new community ventures such as the call for
proposal to create RECITE II (1997-2001) established in October 1996 and running through
to May 15 1997.
2 - THE RECITE Il
PROGRAMME (1997- 2001) :
The development of interregional cooperation
The objectives
of the RECITE programme fall within the general plan adopted for the second programming
period of Article 10 of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) (1995-1999).
Unlike RECITE I, the RECITE II call to proposal
emphasizes the transfer
of expertise through the achievement of concrete initiatives in the field
of development. In comparison with the preceding period, improvement is centred around the
contents as well as the administrative organization of the projects. The principal points
are as follows :
- a more accurate definition of measurable concrete
achievements (implying that the projects received more substantial financial aid).
- a more systematic encouragement from both the
private and the public (the proposal stipulates explicitly "that priority be given to
regionally initiated projects in close association with the economic and/or social players
in each of the concerned areas").
- a reinforcement of the organization, follow-ups as
well as an ongoing evaluation of the projects.
- a greater openness and a better distribution of
responsibilities according to the principles of decentralized management.
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