Kick-off meeting 16 March 2011 INTERACT Pilot Activity on Cooperation in Objectives 1 and 2

1. Kick-off meeting16 March 2011INTERACT Pilot Activity on Cooperation in Objectives 1 and 2 State Development Corporation of Thuringia (LEG) Kathrin Wagner, Thuringian Coordination Office TNA

2. Agenda • The Free State of Thuringia – Facts and Figures 2. Setting-up of Thuringian Coordination Office TNA 2.1. Concept „Innovation by Cooperation“ 2.2. Thuringian Coordination Office TNA 3. Contact Details State Development Corporation of Thuringia Thuringian Coordination Office TNA

3. 1. The Free State of Thuringia – Facts and Figures • size: 16,200 km² • population: 2,3 Mio • capital: Erfurt • important cities: Jena, Gera, Weimar • key sectors of industry (selection): • Optics/ Photonics • Automotive and Supplier Industry • Solar and Photovoltaics Industry • 10 Universities, Universities of Applied Sciences, and the University of Cooperative Education • 5 Application Centers and 7 Technology- and Start-up Centers • 22 Research Institutes • this - Thuringia International School – Weimar State Development Corporation of Thuringia Thuringian Coordination Office TNA

4. 1. The Free State of Thuringia – Facts and Figures • Thuringia is situated in the center of Germany, no national borders with other countries  Thuringian companies, research institutes, universities and educational institutions need to be sensitized to the potential of internationalization and transnational activities • internationalization is a crucial instrument to: • exchange experiences, know-how, and best-practices • commonly work in projects and find innovative solutions • create lasting networks and partnerships • Thuringian Managing Authorities ESF and ERDF made use of article 37 of COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 1083/2006 in order to support internationalization efforts within Thuringia State Development Corporation of Thuringia Thuringian Coordination Office TNA

5. 2. Setting-up of Thuringian Coordination Office TNA Concept „Innovation by Cooperation“ Thuringian Coordination Office TNA Handbook TNA • based on Concept • describes framework of transnational activities in Thuringia • elaborated by LEG on behalfof the Thuringian Ministry of Economy, Employment, and Technology • identifies 14 cooperation regions (not exclusive) • established 1 April 2008 • financed by ERDF and ESF (divided according to activities) • supervised by Thuringian Ministry of Economy, Employment, and Technology State Development Corporation of Thuringia Thuringian Coordination Office TNA

6. 2. Setting-up of Thuringian Coordination Office TNA2.1. Concept „Innovation by Cooperation“ State Development Corporation of Thuringia Thuringian Coordination Office TNA

7. 2. Setting-up of Thuringian Coordination Office TNA2.2. Thuringian Coordination Office TNA State Development Corporation of Thuringia Thuringian Coordination Office TNA

8. 3. Contact Details • Thuringian Coordination Office TNA • State Development Corporation of Thuringia • Department Urban and Regional DevelopmentDivision EU-CooperationMainzerhofstrasse 1299084 Erfurt, Germany • E-Mail tna@leg-thueringen.deWeb www.tna-thueringen.de • Lars Wrage - Project Manager EU-Cooperation • Phone +49 (0)361 5603-395E-Mail Lars.Wrage@leg-thueringen.de • Kathrin Wagner - Project Assistant EU-Cooperation • Phone +49 (0)361 5603-394E-Mail Kathrin.Wagner@leg-thueringen.de State Development Corporation of Thuringia Thuringian Coordination Office TNA