GROS - Cross-border cooperation between regions

GROS stands for “Grensoverschrijdende Samenwerking” (cross-border cooperation). It refers to structured cooperation between Dutch regions and various neighbouring regions, which work together on issues affecting everyday life in border regions.

The aim of GROS cooperation is to identify the obstacles encountered in everyday cross-border activities and develop practical solutions. The focus is on issues such as

mobility,
the labour market,
the economy,
spatial planning or
public services.

Developing cooperation in the Euregio Meuse-Rhine

In the Euregio Meuse-Rhine, this cooperation model was first implemented between North Rhine-Westphalia and the Netherlands. The GROS North Rhine-Westphalia/Netherlands initiative brought together authorities and specialist services from both countries to tackle concrete challenges in the border region jointly.

Building on this experience, the cooperation has since been gradually expanded. In addition to the cooperation between North Rhine-Westphalia and the Netherlands, a GROS Flanders/Netherlands has also been set up, strengthening cooperation between Flanders and the Netherlands.

There are also plans to extend this model to Wallonia and the Netherlands in the future. With a possible GROS Wallonia/Netherlands, cooperation within the Euregio Meuse-Rhine would be further strengthened and extended to other levels of government.

GROS initiatives help to:

Identify the obstacles encountered in everyday cross-border activities
Strengthen exchanges between administrations and institutions
And develop joint solutions to the challenges of the border region.

Cross-border cooperation

This gradual development is giving rise to a growing network of cross-border cooperation that deepens collaboration between the regions of the Euregio Meuse-Rhine.

GROS thus supports the long-term development of the Euregio Meuse-Rhine as a closely interconnected European border region, where cooperation across national borders is becoming increasingly important.

Any questions on this topic?

The Euregio Meuse-Rhine Office will direct you to the right contact person.