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Abstract

This bachelor thesis is studying the INTERREG cooperation between Denmark and Germany, and if there has been a change to the organization and the individual conditions due to the Danish regional reform in 2007. The research method used is semi-structured interviews and the participants are a mixture of politicians and civil servants. The study is based on two themes, change in work routines and cooperation, and change in visions and targets. The participants have experienced change, both positive and negative, in work routines and cooperation and to a lesser extent in visions and targets. Preparation is the key to success and makes the transition much easier, which has been the case for Denmark. Other mentioned aspects are more work due to more complicated applications, and that the politicians so far lack a regional perspective and tend to stick to the local. Also there seems to be some disturbance on the German side. The two German regions has had trouble to unite in the new cooperation, which probably is comes from the fact that they have different regional status. This is highlighting the importance of institutional background. The cross border region has also seen a change in the balance of power to the benefit of Denmark, which has resulted in a trilateral cooperation rather than a bilateral.