SIX STRATEGIC AFOMEF PROJECTS TO BOOST CROSS-BORDER COOPERATION: INVESTMENT IN EMPLOYMENT, MOBILITY, AND MULTILINGUALISM

This morning, at the Palace of Navarra in Pamplona (Spain), political representatives of AFOMEF governance presented the six projects selected: LANEAN,TRANSFERMUGI, MUGAZIKLO, SAREBIDE, EUSGUNEAK et HEZHI,  within the framework of the AFOMEF POCTEFA 2021-2027 call. These initiatives will receive funding from European ERDF funds totalling 14.8 million euros, resulting in a global investment of approximately 23 million euros in the involved territories. The INTERREG VI-A Spain-France-Andorra program (POCTEFA 2021-2027) promotes cross-border cooperation for sustainable development and regional cohesion. In this new phase, the territorialization of the ERDF funds is reinforced through Political Objective 5: "Towards a Europe closer to its citizens," promoting local initiatives in functional areas or "living areas." These areas serve as European innovation laboratories for territorial policy, aiming to improve citizens' quality of life with actions tailored to the specific needs of the concerned territories.

The event was organized by the EGTC Euroregion Nouvelle-Aquitaine Euskadi Navarra, responsible for managing the establishment and coordination of the implementation of the Western Functional Area, one of five functional areas identified by the POCTEFA program. AFOMEF integrates the territories of Euskadi, Navarra, and the southern part of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region; The European program identifies these areas as key operations of strategic importance for implementing integrated territorial strategies. This unprecedented initiative at our border aims to strengthen cross-border cooperation and foster the sustainable development of border territories.

"The innovation of these new territorial strategies lies in their ability to conceive a given cross-border living space and to connect local actors around concrete and sustainable projects that enhance local wealth, address the challenges of citizens' daily lives, and help reduce the negative effects of the existence of a border. These projects, selected within the Western Functional Area for cooperation in mobility, employment, and multilingualism, will reinforce each other, thereby fostering local attractiveness, resilience, and territorial cohesion. Ultimately, they will contribute to shaping European citizenship at the local level."Valeria Cenacchi, Programme manager at the European Commission | DG REGIO

The projects align with the 3 strategic axes (employment, mobility and multilingualism) of the AFOMEF Integrated Territorial Strategy and INTERREG POCTEFA’ Political Objective 5, which was collaboratively drafted with the cross-border citizenry after a participatory process involving over 200 citizens and local stakeholders, with a bottom-up approach. The strategy was officially launched in December 2023. By actively engaging citizens and territorial agents, the strategy reflects a shared vision for sustainable development and regional cooperation across the border.

Press conference participants:

• Ana Ollo, Second Vice President and Minister of Memory and Coexistence, External Action, and Basque Language of the Government of Navarra.
• Mathieu Bergé, Regional Councilor of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Delegate for the Euroregion, Cross-Border Cooperation, Ports, and Airports.
• Mikel Anton, Director for the European Union of the Basque Government.
• Joseba Erremundeguy, Delegate Councilor for Cross-Border, European, and International Cooperation of the Communauté Pays Basque.
• Jean Pierre Mirande, Vice President in charge of Mountain Policies and Cross-Border Cooperation, Delegate for the Mountain Plan, and Delegate for Relations with Navarra of the Departmental Council 64.
• Iker Goiria, Head of Cross-Border Cooperation, Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa. Office of the General Deputy.

All participants agreed that this new European initiative, AFOMEF, represents a valuable opportunity for the territorialization of ERDF funds from the POCTEFA program, allowing for work within smaller, more localized areas adapted to local needs. This initiative has led to the emergence of six structural projects within the AFOMEF territory, assuring a direct and significant impact on the development and integration of territories on both sides of the border.