Achterhoek finalizes cross-border cooperation plans with Germany

The Achterhoek region has finalized strategic plans to enhance cooperation with German municipalities. A new strategy paper aims to unify the priorities of the eight Achterhoek municipalities, providing a cohesive framework for working with German partners.

This initiative seeks to strengthen collaboration in key areas including the labor market, economy, mobility, and social cooperation. The plans will be shared with the two Euregios and the German districts of Borken and Kleve to ensure administrative weight and better access to European funding.

While cooperation already exists in sectors such as emergency services—where fire departments from Gendringen, Anholt, Dinxperlo, and Süderwick operate with networked equipment—challenges remain. For instance, similar coordination for fire and rescue services still needs to be established between ’s-Heerenberg and Emmerich. Coordinators Andrea Arens and Miranda van Balveren noted that the new document is intended to prevent municipalities from acting independently of their German neighbors and to help local entrepreneurs capture missed economic opportunities.