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PAT (Professionalizing actors of transfrontier cooperation) - Adaptation of selected tools within the TEIN (Transfrontier Euro-Institut Network)

The establishment of the internal market of the EU in 1993 and the opening of borders between the member states has enhanced the free movement of goods, services, people & capital. At the same time, these new opportunities have been accompanied by new questions & problems for the member states & particularly for the border regions. Border regions (40% of the EU territory) play a crucial role in Europe and their development is essential for the citizens living there (30% of the EU’s population); for their competitiveness, as well as for the positioning of Europe in the context of globalization. Moreover border regions represent –based on cooperation– a valuable laboratory for the European integration process and furthermore an indicator for the territorial cohesion of the EU. Nevertheless, lack of knowledge of the “other” (cultural/language/law/administration/etc); the lack of appropriate methodologies for transfrontier project management; & the lack of social intercultural competences remain significant obstacles to CBC.Thus there is a definite growing need for capacity building. Indeed: to what extent have actors knowledge about the structure of the neighbour state, its administration & allocation of competencies? Can the actors communicate constructively? Are they able to express/understand different viewpoints, negotiate with the ability to create confidence and feel empathy? Are there methods available for the intercultural management of CB projects?According to these unsolved questions & needs, the aim of the PAT-TEIN partners –VET organisations/Universities– was to transfer & adapt a tool for intercultural cross-border project management, for use in a range of CB settings. The tool integrates a specific focus on the intercultural moderation of CB meetings (since meetings are a core element of CB projects). The transfer took place within the TEIN which aims to facilitate the acquisition of key competences through vocational training. The tool was exported from the Euro-Institut to 4 other border areas (involving 7 partners).The innovative tools were developed by the Euro-Institut & successfully applied at the FR-DE-CH border. Within the transfer the tools were adapted to the different contexts & both pedagogical approach & relevance of content were tested. The end results are 4 different tools, constructed with a ‘common part’, a ‘border specific part’& ‘local cases studies’ that can be continually updated as needed. Through this transfer & adaptation we contribute to the professionalization of actors, a better quality of projects, more positive attitudes towards CBC & improved working & living conditions for citizens in CB areas. To facilitate a fruitful exchange a dedicated project website has been established allowing peer-to-peer exchange among trainers as well as trainer-trainee interaction. Visit us on www.pat-tein.eu
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