The European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation “Polish-Lithuanian functional cross-border area” with limited liability is a grouping operating under Regulation (EC) No 1082/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 July 2006 on a European grouping of territorial cooperation (EGTC) (OJ L 210, 31.07.2006, p. 19).
The Grouping was established to intensify, facilitate and promote Polish-Lithuanian cross-border cooperation in order to strengthen the economic and social cohesion of the Grouping’s area of operation.
The specific purpose of the Grouping is to manage the Cross-Border Functional Area covering the territory of the Grouping members.
The Group’s headquarters is in Puńsk, located in the Podlaskie Voivodeship in the Republic of Poland.
GOALS
- supporting the energy security of the region through the diversification of energy sources, including the use of renewable energy sources,
- supporting the entrepreneurship sector in areas strategic for the region, including tourism, agriculture, processing and manufacturing industries,
- cooperation in ensuring demographic development – supporting young people in using their potential in the region,
- creating an effective system of care for the healthy aging of older people, an infrastructure of social services and a system of services that protects the interests of all age groups in a difficult situation,
- reducing the isolation of the EGTC area of operation by improving access to transport, information and communication services and networks, as well as cross-border water and energy supply and waste management systems and facilities,
- cooperation in the development of high-quality education and educational infrastructure,
- cooperation in improving the quality of local government activities,
- supporting research, development and innovation in connection with the development of education and entrepreneurship,
- supporting the cross-border labor market,
- supporting culture and sport and exchanges in these areas,
- supporting the public transport system in order to increase the communication accessibility of the Grouping area,
- implementing a jointly prepared tourism development strategy,
- enabling the creation, application and implementation of joint projects,
- supporting cross-border cooperation in the field of public security and civil defense,
- supporting the protection and sustainable management of the environment and natural resources.
- supporting and creating cross-sectoral cooperation initiatives, including those from the public, private, non-governmental and research sectors.