ABSTRACT

Territorial cooperation has a long history in the UK. Numerous stakeholders in the UK have a long-standing and active engagement in the EU’s Territorial Cooperation Programmes (also known as ETC and Interreg). Launched in 1990, Interreg is the EU’s framework for territorial cooperation, enabling joint actions and policy exchanges between national, regional and local actors from different Member States. Brexit led to the decision on the part of the UK Government not to participate in EU territorial cooperation programmes after 2021, except for the PEACE Plus programme covering Northern Ireland. This article examines what will be lost because of this decision, especially in terms of what, where and what types of organisations are impacted, and what will be ‘missed’ in terms of the added value associated with territorial cooperation. At a time when cooperation is seen as a key lever to support efforts in addressing major economic, political, social and environmental challenges, and border relations, the article examines what, if anything, is being/can be done to fill the gaps? The article is based on documentary analysis, programme data and engagement with policy, programme and project stakeholders.

摘要

领土合作在英国有着悠久的历史。英国的众多利益相关者长期积极参与欧盟的领土合作计划（也称为 ETC 和 Interreg）。Interreg 于 1990 年启动，是欧盟的领土合作框架，促进不同成员国的国家、区域和地方行为体之间的联合行动和政策交流。英国脱欧导致英国政府决定2021年后不再参与欧盟领土合作项目，但覆盖北爱尔兰的PEACE Plus项目除外。本文探讨了这一决定将带来哪些损失，特别是哪些组织、地点和类型受到影响，以及与领土合作相关的附加值将“错过”哪些方面。在合作被视为支持解决重大经济、政治、社会和环境挑战以及边境关系的关键杠杆之际，本文探讨了正在/可以采取哪些措施来填补差距？本文基于文献分析、计划数据以及政策、计划和项目利益相关者的参与。