A unique cross-border partnership

Szczecin's one of the most successful international projects is Eu-roregion Pomerania. Established in 1995 by Polish and German partners, three years later it expanded, incorporating the Swedish municipalities. Szczecin plays a leading role in this political configuration. Today Euroregion Pomerania develops interesting projects along the Polish-German-Swedish borders and significantly contributes to the south Baltic area growth. Its borders coincide to a large extent with the Szczecin Metropolitan Area (SMA), and its cross-border character imparts uniqueness to the area, whose one of major challenges is presently to develop a cross-border tourism product, which would help recreate the West Pomeranian brand. This grouping organizes numerous training sessions, meetings, conferences, festivals and exchanges, yet its major asset is youth cooperation.

Among recent projects worth mentioning, there is Services-Advising Centre for small and medium enterprises, institutions, municipalities and poviats in Euroregion Pomerania. Launched in December 2009, it is the sixth centre servicing the Polish-German border. Other centres are located in Karlino/ Koszalin, Dębno/Myślibórz (Poland), and Schwedt/O., Greifswald and Neu-brandenburg (Germany). Co-financed by INTERREG IV A, the'Cross-border Net- work of Services-Advising Centre (CUD) of Euroregion Pomerania in 2009 - 2012' project, has already brought about noticeable results. Europaregion Pomerania in Löcknitz (Germany) and Szczecin Municipality jointly started operations to support cross-border cooperation in the fields of economy, tourism, environmental protection, education, culture and social matters.

The Centre offers assistance in establishing business contacts, finding German partners for projects and joint undertakings; organizes information meetings, exchange of experiences between Polish and German entrepreneurs; provides legal information on running business and German market; fairs, exhibitions, festivals and other interesting euroregional events. All services are offered free of charge. The Centre also works closely with Polish and German institutions supporting economic and social growth of the region such as the Northern Chamber of Commerce, Polish-German House of Economy, Szczecin International Fairs Ltd., Szczecin Entrepreneurial Centre, West Pomeranian Agency for Regional Development, etc.

Euroregion Pomerania Project has been fulfilling our aspirations of creating a uniform and cohesive region in the south Baltic, capable of developing its own unique cross-border brand, drawing on experiences of previous generations and their heritage, bringing together EU citizens living along the two borders and offering them new opportunities.