Beate Caesar

• This diploma thesis sets out to analyse the applicability of the instrument ’European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC)’ in the transnational and interregional non-contiguous cooperation. EGTCs that are applied in spatially non-contiguous cooperations are called ’Network-EGTCs’. As no scientific research about network-EGTCs has been made so far, this diploma thesis fills this research gap. As a basis for the analysis, a literature review on the instrument EGTC in general and its historic background was conducted. In addition the scientific literature has been searched for characteristics of non-contiguous cooperations and different stakeholders were interviewed for their estimations about network-EGTCs. The so far existing and planned network-EGTCs have been explored. Out of these network-EGTCs two case studies – the E.G.T.C. Amphictyony and the planned CETC-EGTC – have been examined in depth. Their characteristics have further been compared with the information about EGTCs and non contiguous-cooperations in general. It was found out that network-EGTCs show advantages from ordinary non-contiguous cooperations. Additionally, it was discovered that network-EGTCs do not differ in their character as much as it had been expected from EGTCs established in the cross-border cooperation. This applies also to the establishment process as well as to the fulfilment of the instrument’s potentials. In general all EGTCs show discrepancies between planning and practice. Only a few differences have been discovered. Contrary to expectation network-EGTCs show only certain disadvantages but also advantages compared to EGTCs in the cross-border cooperation. This thesis delivers evidence that EGTCs are applicable in the transnational and interregional cooperation when certain preconditions are fulfilled. Then they can contribute to a successful transnational and interregional cooperation. Recommendations were given to territorial non-contiguous cooperations that are considering to establish an EGTC. It is expected that more network-EGTCs will be established in the future due to the higher experience and knowledge about network-EGTCs.