Fit4Co CBO

With Fit for Cooperation, the European Region supports the planning of cross-border projects in the cooperation area Italy-Austria.

Symbolic image of Fit for Cooperation: joining forces to reach common goals.

Gruppenfoto der Teilnehmenden bei der Kick-off Veranstaltung von Fit for Cooperation im Euregio Kulturzentrum Gustav Mahler in Toblach. — On 2 and 3 October 2024, the first Fit4Co CBO kick-off event took place in Toblach (South Tyrol). © Euregio/Marangoni

On 2 and 3 October 2024, the first Fit4Co CBO kick-off event took place in Toblach (South Tyrol). © Euregio/Marangoni

Vorstellung Fit4Co CBO im Rahmen der Europäischen Woche der Regionen und Städte — Fit4Co CBO at the EWRC 2025. © Euregio

Fit4Co CBO at the EWRC 2025. © Euregio

Cross-border projects have many obstacles: different languages, cultures, legal systems, distribution of competences, etc. Public administrations represent no exception. On the other hand, cross-border cooperation comes with many new opportunities, for example the possibility to address cross-border challenges that cannot be solved otherwise (e.g. Brenner Base Tunnel). The exchange of competences and best practices is made possible through cross-border cooperation. And there is also EU funding that supports a more united Europe through financial means.

With Fit4Co CBO, cross-border projects in the area of the Euregio Tyrol-South Tyrol-Trentino can be tackled in a structured manner with the support of project coaches. A stakeholder process on cross-border obstacles is taking place in the area of the Euregio Senza Confini.

Unique cooperation between two Euroregions

Fit4Co is the first initiative in which two Euroregions joined forces in a common INTERREG-project. The project was presented in Brussels as a best-practice project of cross-border cooperation during the European Week of Regions and Cities 2020. Building on this, the two EGTCs decided to work even more closely together in to further deepen cross-border cooperation in the Italy-Austria cooperation area.

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Projects in the area of EGCT Euregio Tyrol-South Tyrol-Trentino

Through the support of the Euregio Office, some of the cross-border obstacles can be overcome: the EGTC can promote the connection between member administrations, coordinate their actions, organize meetings with funding bodies (for instance INTERREG), and offer many other tailor-made solutions to enhance cooperation. In addition, the Euregio provides interested administrations with consultants specialised in project management (in the Fit4Co CBO project-jargon they are referred to as “coaches”). At the request of the interested administrations, other experts can be brought in as needed. Furthermore, participants and public officials in the Euregio will be introduced to the essential areas of cross-border project management through a specific Fit4Co CBO training programme.

The result of Fit4Co CBO? Many excellently planned cross-border projects that have been made "fit" for submission to funding agencies (e.g. Interreg). Through these projects, the European region will grow even closer together over the coming years.

Fit4Co CBO has established institutional cooperation in the following areas:

Risk prevention disaster control:
• Check dam for the border river in Innichen/San Candido

Municipal partnerships:

• Developing and designing the border area between Innichen/San Candido
• Project to expand the cross-municipal long-distance trail “Projects between the municipalities of Prettau/Predoi, Krimml, Brandberg im Zillertal and Prägraten am Großvenediger: Three-Country Trail and Periphery Connect”
• European Region municipal council brochure

Tourism development:
• Munich to Venezia cycling route
• Sustainability skills for tourist and travel guides

Regional planning:
• Cross-border working group for the Brenner Base Tunnel (BBT)
• Improving the Passo di Stalle/Staller Sattel area

Health-care sector:
• Cross-border air emergency cooperation
• Citizen-centred healthcare
• University sports

Youth projects:
• Crazy Bike painting competition
• We are European Region
• Humanitarian international law

Science, research and finance:
• PAR-TY-CO - Particle Technology Hub
• Glossary of financial law (Italian–German)

Administrative cooperation:
• Connected human resource development for State Administrations

Here you will more information about the project tandems that have started in the Euregio Tyrol-South Tyrol-Trentino EGTC area: project tandem list (DE)

Projects in the area of EGCT Euregio Senza Confini / Ohne Grenzen

Although both EGTCs began with a shared bottom-up approach, they adopted different operational strategies. The EGTC Euregio Senza Confini launched a pilot initiative that aimed to identify and overcome cross-border obstacles within its territory. To achieve this, two public calls for proposals were issued, through which six obstacles to cross-border cooperation were selected.

These are the six selected cross-border obstacles, each covering a different topic:
1. Protection of Alpine pastures in the border area
2. Plöcken Pass—studies for developing alternative road options
3. Overcoming obstacles to improve effective EGTC action
4. Pilot system for managing territorial knowledge: school mobility
5. Capacity building for joint EU projects between Villach and Udine
6. Procedural and operational fragmentation in combating the illegal trade of animals,
food and increased zoonotic risk

More information: FIT4CO CBO - Euregio Senza Confini

NEWS

On 15 October 2025 the project was presented at the European Week of Regions and Cities:

Press release (IT): Il progetto Euregio Fit4Co incontra Bruxelles | Euregio Tirolo-Alto Adige-Trentino
Press release (DE): Euregio-Projekt Fit4Co trifft Brüssel | Europaregion Euregio - Tirol - Südtirol - Trentino

On 8 and 9 January 2025 the project tandems met in Alpbach (Tyrol) for the midterm meeting.:

Press release (IT): Incontro dell'Euregio ad Alpbach: 18 proetti Fit4Co si concretizzano (09/01/2025) Video (IT)
Press release (DE): Euregio-Treffen in Alpbach: 18 Fit4Co-Projekte werden konkreter (09.01.2025) Video (DE)

On 2 and 3 October 2024, the first Fit4Co CBO kick-off event took place in Toblach (South Tyrol). After the official opening, the 19 project tandems started their work:

EWRC 2025: Fit4Co CBO goes Brussels!

On 15 October 2025, from 09:30 to 11:00 CET, a session was held at the Jacques Delors Building, Atrium 5, as part of the European Week of Regions and Cities (EWRC). The session titled “Your Entry Door for Successful Cross-Border Cooperation: Fit4Cooperation’s Bottom-Up Approach & Interreg Europe’s Peer Review Tool” was organised by the partners EGTC Euregio Tyrol–South Tyrol–Trentino, EGTC Euregio Senza Confini, and Interreg Europe. The workshop focused on practical strategies to enhance cross-border cooperation among European regions. It brought together regional stakeholders, experts, and policymakers to explore how bottom-up initiatives and peer learning can help overcome common challenges in cross-border collaboration.

Further information: EU Regions Week 2025: Two Euregios Events for a stronger europe through regional unity | Europaregion Euregio - Tirol - Südtirol - Trentino

Do you have questions about the Fit4Co CBO programme?

> Here you will find useful answers to frequently asked questions (Deutsch, italiano).

> Here you can find information about the Fit4Co CBO programme (Deutsch, italiano).

> The Fit4Co team will be happy to help you. Contact us and we will arrange a meeting (online or in presence). You can find our contact details in the info box.