Cooperation and dialogue between different levels of governance are essential for territorial cohesion. In 1994-1999 programming period, a transnational dimension into cooperation programmes was launched by the Commission and allows to develop exchanges on targeted projects. The maps provide a picture of areas of cooperation inside UE and with neighbouring countries. Most of European regions belong to at least 2 or 3 transnational-cooperation areas.

 

Members for the period 2007-2013. The diversity of these areas ranges from mountainous areas of the Alpine space to the Caribbean Islands. In order to increase cooperation inside and outside the external borders of the European Union, these programmes involve some neighbouring countries, in the Baltic area for instance. The programs co-financed by the ERFD, with the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI) in the Neighbouring Countries, and the State Members support projects in various fields. The main priorities are the following:
- Innovation, especially networks of universities, research institutions, SMEs;
- Environment, especially water resources, rivers, lakes, sea;
- Accessibility, including telecommunications, and in particular the completion of networks;
- Sustainable urban development, especially polycentric development.