Euroregion - a School for Local Government

PPM talks with Tadeusz Jędrzejczak, who since December 1, 1999, has served as the President of the Pro Europa Viadrina Euroregion.

- Mr. President, please describe the idea behind a Euroregion.
- Euroregions function across Europe and function in direct cooperation with cities and counties across borders. They serve as a type of school for teaching how local governments function within a united Europe. The main goal of a Euroregion is to make its residents approve of the idea of Poland's entering the European Union. We have already noted several achievements and approval ratings have significantly grown.
- Participation in a Euroregion also translates into noteworthy financial opportunities.
- This is true. Euroregions have significant sums of money available to them. Each year, we distribute approx. EUR 500,000. for so-called  small projects (up to EUR 50,000 each), as well as to support large projects, which we call "hard" (above EUR 2 million). As of this year, we will also distribute funds earmarked for medium-sized projects (up to EUR 200,000).
- What advantages does the city of Gorzów derive from participation in a Euroregion?
- Very significant ones. If our annual budget amounts to approx. PLN 280 million, and we add EUR 3-4 million to it from EU funds, this constitutes significant help for the city. However, in order to obtain these funds, we need to have a partner on the other side of the border. I must admit that the cooperation has been excellent. Together, we have approved several projects on both the Polish and German sides and have never experienced any problems related to this. Yet, the Germans have much more significant financial resources at their disposal.

- Could you cite an example of a joint project.
- One of them was our decision in 1999 regarding the establishment of an IT communications network between Gorzów and Frankfurt. We have also applied for EU funds to computerize the Provincial Office in Gorzów. Thanks to this funding, the city and the Euroregion have their own internet sites in three languages, which is conducive to the promotion of the city and business relations. In 2003, a large flower exhibition will be organized within the Euroregion framework, and in view of this event, a major modernization of Frankfurt is being carried out. Similar work will be conducted in Słubice, as well. Therefore, Słubice will support Frankfurt and vice versa.

Interviewer: Jolanta Pędziwiatr