For the fourth time this calendar year, representatives of the euregio rhine-maas-north met to assess new cross-border German-Dutch initiatives. These projects help make the European Union tangible for residents of the border region. A total of about €75,000 from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) will be made available to four projects in the areas of hiking, music, community involvement and history.
The similarity between all these projects is that they benefit the residents of the border area.
BOUNDLESS WALKING ALONG THE RUDDER
The aim of the cooperation between Stichting Routebureau Noord- en Midden-Limburg, Stichting VVV Midden-Limburg, the municipality of Roerdalen and the town of Wassenberg is to connect the walking networks in the municipality of Wassenberg and the municipality of Roerdalen. Besides upgrading the information facilities along the footpaths and developing interesting themed routes, the realisation of a bridge over the Roode beek in the municipality of Roerdalen is also part of this project.
MUSIC OPENS DOORS
Within the project 'Euregio in Tune', the ECI Cultuurfabriek in Roermond and the ZAKK cultural centre in Düsseldorf give budding German and Dutch musicians the chance to present themselves in the neighbouring country. With a binational marketing campaign, talents are guided to win over audiences on the other side of the border.
75 YEARS OF FREEDOM
On the initiative of the Peel-Maas-Niers Area Foundation, Stadtarchiv Krefeld, Geldern, Venlo and Museum Schloss Rheydt are investigating how the towns of Krefeld, Geldern, Venlo, Venray, Nijmegen, Kempen, Straelen, Kleve, Mönchengladbach and Wachtendonk developed after World War II. The results will be presented to the public in a travelling exhibition. Residents of these cities will then get a better idea of why each city is the way it is.
SPEED DATING FOR ASSOCIATIONS
The municipality of Peel and Maas and the municipality of Niederkrüchten invite associations to take part in a creative workshop including a speed dating session. The aim is to establish cross-border cooperation between associations.
THE PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE INTERREG VA FRAMEWORK PROJECT
All the initiatives described above promote cross-border cooperation. Therefore, the projects can be funded from the European INTERREG 'People-to-People' project of the euregio rhine-maas-north. Binational ideas can thus be supported in a simple and quick way. Funds from ERFO go directly to the inhabitants of the border region. Until 2022, €1.8 million is available from this fund to promote cross-border cooperation between the inhabitants of this area.
APPLICATIONS CAN BE SUBMITTED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR
European grant funds for project ideas promoting German-Dutch cooperation on the Lower Rhine and in North and Central Limburg can be applied for at the euregio rhine-maas-north throughout the year. Interested parties can also find out about grant opportunities for cross-border cooperation here.
