• General information

     

    The Institute for Transnational and Euregional cross-border cooperation and Mobility (ITEM) is an interdisciplinary institute that provides expertise on cross-border mobility and cooperation through research, advice, knowledge exchange and training activities. ITEM makes the translation from science to practice. This work is carried out around the core values of knowledge, connection, and cooperation. Together, these core values form ITEM’s DNA. ITEM’s objective is to tackle the problems surrounding border regions and generate real impact in society, at different levels, together with our partners.

    ITEM was established in 2015 as an interfaculty initiative of Maastricht University, NEIMED, Zuyd Hogeschool, the Municipality of Maastricht, the EMR and the Province of Limburg (NL).

    Legal Form

    Transparent (University)

    Contact

    Prof. Dr. Anouk Bollen-Vandenboorn, Professor in Cross border Pension Tax Law and ITEM director

    item@maastrichtuniversity.nlVisiting adress: Kapoenstraat 2, 6211 KW Maastricht

    PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht

    www.crossborderitem.eu

  • Role of the institution regarding cross-border issues

    As expertise centre, ITEM commits itself to improve and foster cross-border mobility and cooperation by bridging science, policy and practice. With its scientific fundament, the research concentrates on the identification of problems and solutions in cases of transnational and cross border mobility and cooperation. This is done in the framework of fundamental research, as well as applied, small-scale, on-demand contract research to valorise scientific knowledge into practical solutions. ITEM commits itself to cooperate with its partners, also on the other side of the border, resulting in joint achievements, creating real impact in border regions and providing information through research to improve (future) regulations and jurisprudence.

    ITEM has established a well-proven research methodology for testing relevant issues for society and (local) governments on border effects. Annually it publishes its Cross-border Impact Assessment on (legislative) initiatives or policy, analysing the border effects.

    Lastly, ITEM has a strong network for information exchange, for example via the ITEM Annual Conference. In this way ITEM ensures that information is provided on all different levels to improve legislation and therefore create a better society.

  • References regarding cross-border issues

    Training

    Every year ITEM offers trainings, workshops and seminars for stakeholders such as Euroregions and government institutions, but also for private parties and professionals. Content-wise, these trainings, workshops and seminars cover cross-border issues relating to, for example, European and international tax law, pension law and social security law, but also on topics such as language and culture, transnational healthcare, and energy transition. The trainings are a key element in raising the awareness of governments and institutions of the importance of transnational cooperation for livability and employment in border regions.

    Visit the ITEM website for an overview of all activities

    Research / Applied research

    Next to the annual Cross-border Impact Assessment, ITEM carries out a wide spectrum of research activities such as the ITEM Reflections on government plans, various Interreg projects such as EMR Lingua, the Leidraad Grenseffecten” (Guide on border testing for policymakers), the Roadmap & Factsheets of the Recognition of Qualifications for Highly Demanded Professions,  and other topics ranging from the EUregional Centre for Paedriatic Surgery to cross-border workers.

    Please visit the ITEM website for an overview of all publications.

    Alternatively, browse and download publications and other content and datasets related to ITEM research and researchers, registered in Maastricht University’s research information system Pure.

    Conferences

    ITEM organizes various seminars, workshops and conferences throughout the year, often in close collaboration with its partners. The ITEM Annual Conference (which always takes place in November) is the highlight, marking the end of the year and building up to the next one.

    Please find an overview of all our activities on the website.

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