ITEM starts a new chapter with Martin Unfried as director

Martin Unfried has been working in the Netherlands since 1997, initially for the European Institute of Public Administration (EIPA), and since 2015 as a senior researcher at ITEM. He is responsible for ITEM’s annual cross-border impact report, the development and monitoring of the Cross-Border Impact Assessment Guide for the Dutch government, and various studies on territorial impact assessment. He also specialises in cross-border labour markets and employment mediation, and has been involved in establishing cross-border information points and services for employment mediation. He is currently engaged in projects for the Ministry of the Interior, the European Commission, and Interreg.

Professor Jan Smits, Dean of the Faculty of Law, expresses his confidence:
"With the appointment of Martin Unfried, ITEM is entering a new chapter in its development. Martin brings extensive expertise and a clear vision to further strengthen ITEM’s cross-border cooperation and societal impact."

ITEM remains committed to creating societal impact in the field of cross-border barriers, using innovative methods and pilots such as the ‘Border Effects Check’ (Grenstoets) and the ‘Schakelpunt Grensbelemmeringen’, in collaboration with Dutch, Flemish, and European partners. The institute continues to build on its strong network to promote cross-border cooperation and to enhance Maastricht University’s position within the Euregio and the Benelux.

Martin Unfried shares his plans for ITEM: "I look forward to further developing what Anouk and the team have built over the past ten years. ITEM will continue to serve as the knowledge centre for identifying cross-border barriers and developing practical solutions that make a difference both locally and across Europe. It’s not just about improving cooperation in our Euregions, but about realising the opportunities of border regions throughout the EU."

For more information about ITEM and its activities, please visit the ITEM website.