North East England and three partner regions in the European Union collaborated from 2003-2007 on a series of 12 projects designed to strengthen small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and tourism.

The aim was to increase inter-regional co-operation and to share knowledge and best practice between the SMEs and other participating organisations. This, in turn, helped to promote sustainable and balanced development in the regions.

Known collectively as RFO-touriSME, the projects were part of the EU's INTERREG programme, which was designed to strengthen economic and social cohesion across the EU by promoting co-operation in three strands - cross-border (A), transnational (B), inter-regional (C).

The other regions involved with North East England were: Saxony-Anhalt in Germany, Valencia in Spain and Limburg in the Netherlands. The 12 projects focused on the chemical, automotive, food and tourism sectors, as well as on a number of business support activities such as succession planning and internationalisation.

As a result of the projects, a large number of SMEs are now benefiting from the knowledge, experience and skills they have acquired through their participation. Barriers that previously inhibited co-operation have been overcome. New regional and inter-regional networks have also been established between businesses, development agencies, support organisations, universities and research institutions involved in the projects.

Read more about RFO-touriSME North East England projects.

...and for the future

The NEA's Europe and government liaison manager, Aidan Stradling, spent a week on secondment in Saxony-Anhalt's regional parliament, the Landtag, in March 2008. "The ways of working that I observed were of real help to members of the parliament in facilitating their debates. I helped prepare for two parliamentary committees, and learnt a lot about planning, procedures and the range of powers that German regions have", he said. Aidan will be working with NEA colleagues and members over the coming months to put into practice some of the pointers he picked up.

Aidan Stradling (NEA) and Herr Michael Heinke of the Staatskanzlei (state chancery) of the German region of Saxony-Anhalt

Aidan Stradling also met Sabine Pröschel of ELT, a training provider in Halle specialising in foreign languages. Through his role on North East England's Regional Language Network, Aidan will be looking at opportunities for possible joint working in this sector with providers in our region.

Saxony-Anhalt and North East England will again work together at this year's Brussels Open Days in October 2008. The theme this year is regions and regional image, and our participation is being led by regional development agency, One NorthEast.