Shaping the future together in the tri-national region Eifel-Ostbelgien-Éislek

March 2024

Integrated territorial strategies are an important tool to address today´s complex development challenges. As discussed in an earlier blog post on territorial strategies (Si apre in una nuova finestra), finding the appropriate territorial focus for a strategy is essential. This often entails adopting a functional area approach which is closely linked to the objectives of integrated territorial strategies, as explored in another blog post (Si apre in una nuova finestra). In border regions, such functional areas may very well stretch beyond national borders and call for cross-border territorial strategies.

Lately, several cross-border territorial strategies have been elaborated along Luxembourg’s borders with Belgium, France and Germany. One of them concerns the Belgian-Luxembourgish-German border region Eifel-Ostbelgien-Éislek.

Eifel-Ostbelgien-Éislek

In the context of the Interreg Programme for the Greater Region, the functional cross-border region Eifel-Ostbelgien-Éislek has been identified as an area where long-standing collaborations can be taken to a new level. It builds on a long history of cross-border cooperation between the German-speaking Community of Belgium, Luxembourg and the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate in this region.

With the new strategy, this collaboration shall be further stimulated. The strategy has been elaborated in a co-creative and participative process, designed and facilitated by Spatial Foresight, drawing on insights and priorities of key players in the region. The process involved representatives from the municipal, regional and ministerial level, as well as from nature parks and LEADER action groups. They came from a wide range of different policy spheres including spatial development, environment, nature conservation, water management, tourism, culture, forestry and agricultural.

The region prides itself of having a unique blend of cultural diversity, natural beauty, and historical significance, making it a rich tapestry of European heritage. This unique area spans across 16 municipalities or administrative units, comprising nine from the German-speaking Community of Belgium (Ostbelgien), four from the northern part of Luxembourg (Éislek), and three associations of municipalities in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany (Eifel). Covering nearly 2,300 square kilometres, it is home to about 156,000 inhabitants.

We love living here!

In November 2023, stakeholders in this region agreed on a strategy to intensify cross-border cooperation to shape the future together. The strategy aims to unite the regions of Eifel, Ostbelgien and Éislek through innovative cross-border cooperation, enhancing tourism, culture, and sustainability for generations to come.