Evaluation of macroregional strategies

Key points:

A macro-regional approach can genuinely address challenges faced by regions. The principles underpinning Europe's two macro-regional experiments to date have proved successful, functioning as effective instruments to boost social, economic and territorial cohesion and convergence.

The EESC points out that macro-regional cooperation is part of the process of building democracy in the EU, and of strengthening bottom-up initiatives. Such cooperation is a positive catalyst, defending and complementing the EU's fundamental values.

The EESC believes that the "three no's" rule should be considered outdated. Indeed, in order to promote innovation, SMEs, networking and employment, there should be more understanding of the change to the "three yes's" when evaluating macro-regional strategies from the perspective of support policy.