Description of the project

The networking project From Euroregion Tatry to a European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation is carried out under the Republic of Poland - Slovak Republic Cross-border Co-operation Operational Programm 2007-2013, priority axis 2: Social and economic development. The following partners are involved in the implementation of the project: "Tatry" Euroregion Assosiation (Lead Partner), Slovak Tatra Association (Združenie Region "Tatry"), the Town of Nowy Targ and the Town of Kežmarok. Total budget amount of the project is 224 670.81 EUR, of which 85% (190 670.14 EUR) is cofinanced by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund. Furthermore, the Marshall Office of the Malopolskie Voivodship contributed to the project with an amount of 65 000 PLN. The project was started in January 2011 and its completion date is anticipated for September 2013.

The implementation of the project takes place on both sides of the Polish-Slovak border, and the tasks carried out within its framework are crucial for deepening of the Polish-Slovak cross-border cooperation with the aim of strengthening economic and social cohesion.

By establishing the "Tatry" Euroregion Assosiation in 1994, the representatives of the Polish and Slovak local authorities intended to build an institutionalized form of cooperation designed to implement the joint Polish-Slovak projects corresponding to the social and economic needs of the borderland. Founding members include the Town of Nowy Targ and Kežmarok, becoming the seats for the two branches of The Euroregion Tatry Cross-border Cooperation Association - The "Tatry" Euroregion Assosiation and Združenie Region "Tatry". Over 17 years of cooperation brought the desired results, strengthening the comprehensive development of the border.

However, despite a considerable rate of progress, the cross-border cooperation meets the limitations and obstacles hindering the implementation of joint projects, such as different legal conditions on the Polish and Slovak borderland and unequal access to EU funds. Meanwhile, the quality of cross-border cooperation is still of crucial importance for achieving the objectives of EU cohesion policy. With this in mind, the European Commission in 2006 provided a new legal instrument - the Euroepean Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC), allowing the partners involved in territorial cooperation to establish an entity with legal personality under Community law which ensures cooperation on the basis of a legal and organizational structure. This creates a unique opportunity for removal of existing restrictions, opening-up new possibilities and carrying out strategic Polish-Slovak cooperation.