Report on frontier workers in Europe leads to proposal for legislative amendment by minister

Cross-Border Impact Assessment 2020: Corona mainly controls the cross-border situation

ITEM’s main task is to help remove border barriers within the EU. That is why we publish a detailed annual report on which we regard as the key issues that could create such barriers.

The old age: a new role for the pension sector towards more prosperity, or more well-being?

On 27 January 2020, the ninth edition of the Maastricht Pensions Seminar took place. The theme of the seminar was 'Pensions: Outside In - The old age: a new role for the pension sector towards more prosperity, or more well-being?

Dutch court rules: no discrimination in access to online public services

A Belgian resident successfully brought a case to court with the help of the ITEM Expertise Centre, because she did not receive a DigiD.

A second category of people affected by the childcare allowance: PhD students with a grant

As ‘grant PhD students’ are not paid by the university but receive funding via an external (foreign) scholarship, they are not entitled to a child care allowance in the Netherlands.

Province of Limburg supports ITEM with 3 million euro

The province of Limburg will support expertise centre ITEM with a grant of 3 million euros over the next 5 years. 

Survey – ITEM Cross-Border Impact Assessment 2020

The consultation round on the upcoming ITEM Cross-Border Impact Assessment 2020 has been launched.

ITEM anniversary conference 'Building cross-border cooperation' a success

On 21 and 22 November, the fifth annual conference, so an anniversary edition, of ITEM took place in the Province of Overijssel. Policy makers, politicians and scientists came together in Enschede to build cross-border cooperation.

ITEM illustrates again the need for proper assessment of border-effects of national legislation

The ITEM Cross-Border Impact Assessment 2019 has been published. With its annual Cross-Border Impact Assessment, the Institute for Transnational and Euregional cross-border cooperation and Mobility / ITEM provides more insight into European and national legislative and policy initiatives and its border-effects.

Grensoverschijdende kwalificatieproblematiek: tussen sociale zekerheid en aanvullend pensioen

PhD thesis written by Bastiaan Didden. 
Bastiaan, PhD candidate in tax law, looked into how the EU borders affect pensions, social security and taxes when working across a border. He has found out that there are quite some uncertainties when it comes to these subjects. This is because the EU-member states are in large part independent concerning their taxes, pensions and social security rules. 

Working on the other side of the border: a bureaucratic maze

The free movement of workers is an important idea that the EU is built upon. Maastricht University researcher Bastiaan Didden, studied how the free movement of workers in The Netherlands, Belgium and Germany works in practice. He looked into how the EU borders affect pensions, social security and taxes when working across a border.

ITEM researcher co-authors WODC study on migration of asylum permit holders

On Thursday 10 October, a report concerning migration of asylum permission holders was published by the Research and Documentation Centre of the Ministry of Security and Justice (WODC) and Statistics Netherlands (CBS). This report is co-authored by Marloes de Hoon, a PhD candidate who is conducting research into mobility of refugees under the umbrella of the Institute for Transnational and Euregional cross border cooperation and Mobility (ITEM) at Maastricht University and affiliated to Statistics Netherlands. The report is co-authored with Arjen Leerkes, professor at Maastricht University and research fellow at WODC.

Successful Completion B-Solutions Project “Roadmap and factsheet for the recognition of qualifications for highly demanded professions”

The B-solutions project ‘Roadmap and factsheet for the recognition of qualifications for highly demanded professionals’ has been successfully concluded with the launch of the first roadmaps and factsheets.

Schritt für Schritt - Step by Step

Electric mobility is the future? According to ITEM researcher Martin Unfried it sure is!

MoveS seminar in retrospective

On 23 September 2019, the MoveS seminar Netherlands took place in Maastricht. The theme of this seminar was "Freedom of movement in the Euregion Meuse-Rhine" and was jointly organised by MoveS, Prof. Anne Pieter van der Mei and Expertise Centre ITEM.

WNRA impact from 2020 onwards*

Do you work at a Dutch university or university hospital and at the same time across the border in Belgium or Germany (including home office)? Then there may be changes in your social security situation as a result of the Act on the normalisation of the legal status of civil servants (Wnra), which will take effect on 1 January 2020.

ITEM evaluates the first five years

ITEM celebrated its fifth birthday on 23 August 2019.

Cross-border cooperation: North Sea Port

After an initial inventory conducted by ITEM, the Dutch and Flemish governments have decided to follow up by investigating possible solutions for border barriers that are faced by the cross-border North Sea Port, which is a merged Belgian-Dutch company.

Letter from Parliament: cross-border impact assessment by ITEM considered instrument for preventing border problems

In a letter to the Minister of Social Affairs and Employment, Wouter Koolmees, the Standing Committee on Social Affairs and Employment (SZW) of the Dutch Upper House of Parliament refers to the cross-border impact assessment, which is conducted by ITEM, as an instrument to help prevent border problems.

Third report on corporate mobility in the EU published

The third report of the ITEM/ICGI project on ‘Cross-Border Corporate Mobility in the EU’ has now been published. The report builds upon the earlier reporting on cross-border corporate activity and features a comprehensive country-by-country reporting to provide a fuller picture of cross-border company mobility in the EU.

ITEM awarded SWOL grant for cross-border research by students

The Limburg University Fund/SWOL has awarded a grant of 5000 euros for bachelor’s students to conduct research into the internationalisation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Dutch border provinces of Limburg and Drenthe.

German 'Autobahnvignette' in violation of EU law - ITEM research confirmed

The Court of Justice of the European Union stops the planned tax. Two years ago, the research institute ITEM concluded in a study within the framework of the annual Cross-border impact assessment that the German Autobahn toll is legally questionable and in breach of European law.

Advocate General of the ECJ in favour of Dutch social security benefits for German mini-jobs

The Advocate General of the European Court of Justice (hereafter: A-G) E. Sharpston has come to the conclusion that Dutch frontier workers living in the Netherlands and working in so-called mini-jobs in Germany are still entitled to Dutch retirement pensions and child benefits.

South Limburg: borders inhibit the region

In the context of De Atlas voor Gemeenten 2019   , it became clear that South Limburg has potential. Not just any potential, but even has the ability to grow into "a top region with one of the largest (eu) regional economies in the Netherlands". This is a passage from the recently published Zuid-Limburg cooperation agenda  . Last Friday ITEM PhD student Stefan Bemelmans was interviewed by RTV Maastricht about possible border barriers that could prevent South Limburg from growing.

Student debate: Go and vote for Europe

Cross-border co-operation a ‘must’

On the eve of Europe Day, to celebrate awareness and cooperation in Europe, ITEM (UM) and UHasselt signed their cooperation covenant.

ITEM research basis for innovative trajectory Flanders-Netherlands

On Wednesday 8 May, an innovative project to improve cross-border cooperation was launched by Flemish Prime Minister Bourgeois and State Secretary Knops. This project investigates how permits, procedures and other relevant regulations can be better coordinated in order to stimulate cross-border infrastructure. The initiative was supported by an initial inventory of the situation of North Sea Port, a merged Belgian-Dutch company. ITEM had been commissioned by the Province of Zeeland and the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations to look into the company's legal bottlenecks.

ITEM and UHasselt carry out cross-border research together

On 8 May, the Institute for Transnational and Euregional cross-border cooperation and Mobility (ITEM) of Maastricht University (UM) and UHasselt sign a cooperation agreement in the field of cross-border research in the presence of the governors of the provinces of Belgian and Dutch Limburg. 

Jacques Michel Bloi joins ITEM as external relations advisor

Candidate for the European elections, Jacques Michel Bloi has started as an external relations advisor at the ITEM Expertise Centre at Maastricht University. Jacques Michel Bloi will work as a representative of ITEM to form a link between science, politics and policy. The main focus will be on the German contacts. 

ISoP 2019: Living the Swiss Life

From 7 April 2019 to 10 April 2019, ten students from the two universities and seven supervisors travelled to Switzerland to gain insights into the Swiss pension system. From ITEM, Anouk Bollen-Vandenboorn, Sander Kramer and Pim Mertens went along as supervisors. During this trip, Sander Kramer also presented his PhD research 'Towards cross-border pension information provision: pensions, taxes and securing pension adequacy'

ITEM presents research results to Belgian ambassador in the Netherlands

ITEM researcher Martin Unfried presented the research results of the North Sea Port project to the Belgian ambassador to the Netherlands, Mr Dirk Achten, on 17 April 2019.  

How Dutch cross border workers also can benefit from the export of Unemployment benefits

At the end of March and the beginning of April, the media again published some disturbing reports about the planned changes to the unemployment schemes in the European regulation on social security and the possible misuse of Dutch benefits by foreign workers.

In this report, we briefly set out the facts regarding the unemployment proposals. What changes are on the European table? What determines Dutch unemployment legislation? Are the headlines right and do the (Dutch) politicians tell the whole story?

ITEM announces dossiers for 2019 Cross-border Impact Assessment

ITEM has announced the dossiers for the 2019 ITEM Cross-border Impact Assessment. The Cross-border Impact Assessment is one of ITEM's core activities, which investigates the effects of existing and future legislation and regulations on the border regions.

LIMES: cross-border research

In a project led by the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASoS), PhD candidates will conduct research into the hardening and softening of borders in Europe.

ITEM’s Martin Unfried in debate with “Spitzenkandidat” Bas Eickhout (MEP)

On 29 April, official candidates for the Presidency of the European Commission debated in Maastricht as part of the campaign for the European elections held later in May this year (23-26 May). This debate was broadcasted live across the European Union. The 90-minute event featured the front-runners to replace Jean-Claude Juncker as President of the European Commission.

B-Solutions Project “Roadmap and factsheet for the recognition of qualifications for highly demanded professions”

The project “Roadmap and factsheet for the recognition of qualifications for highly demanded professions” is aimed at creating two practical documents per highly demanded profession aimed at boosting cross-border mobility and employability by improving recognition. The project was submitted by the Province of Limburg (NL) as lead applicant and is carried out by the ITEM Expertise Centre.

The Professional Qualifications Directive: Still No Compliance?

In the EU, the mobility of many professionals is governed by the Professional Qualifications Directive. The instrument was introduced in 2005 and adapted in 2013. Due to be implemented on 18 January 2016, the directive’s transposition apparently leaves much to be desired. On 7 March 2019 the Commission issued a large number of infringement proceedings against the Member States for having incorrectly transposed the directive.

Childcare allowance for each PhD candidate

It has appeared in several cases already: PhD candidates with a scholarship who do not receive childcare allowance. Recently, Minister Van Engelshoven of Education, Culture and Science answered parliamentary questions about the right to childcare allowance for PhD candidates. The answers she gives are in line with the well-known arguments of the Dutch Tax Administration. Expertise centre ITEM questions these arguments on the basis of European law.

ITEM brings science, politics and practice together

On 28 January, the eighth edition of the Maastricht Pension Seminar took place. The theme of the meeting was 'Pension: Outside in - Pension in Europe: The Netherlands the last dinosaur?’.

'Opportunities in border regions should be seized more'

The 'Grenzeloos Ondernemen Magazine Kerkrade' interviewed Matthijs Huizing, external relations advisor of ITEM about the importance of opportunities in border regions.

Cross-border cooperation key to improving euregional services for highly-skilled newcomers

Little structural cross-border cooperation takes place between organisations in the Euregio Meuse-Rhine (EMR) that offer services for newcomers. Existing cooperation seems to be limited to sporadic exchanges of information, expertise centre ITEM (Maastricht University) concludes in the report ‘Inventory of Services and Activities for Newcomers in the Euregion Meuse-Rhine’.

Towards a more effective approach for tackling legal border obstacles

Which kind of legal instrument can offer an effective solution for the province of Limburg to better tackle border-specific legal problems? How can Limburg obtain a certain 'mandate' to play an active role in solving legal border obstacles? This question is answered in the research report Statuut voor Limburg. The report has been carried out by Expertise Centre ITEM (Maastricht University) on behalf of the Province of Limburg.

ITEM commits to reducing administrative burden for pensioners abroad

Pensioners who emigrate within the EU and wish to continue to receive their pension must periodically send in a life certificate to various institutions. In practice, this means that a pensioner has to travel to competent authorities several times a year at their own expense in order to have the correct documents authenticated. ITEM commits to reduce this administrative hassle.

‘Foreign PhD scholarship students should receive childcare allowance'

Are foreign researchers entitled to childcare benefit in the Netherlands? Expertise Centre ITEM investigated a case and concluded that the tax authorities don’t take sufficient account of European rules in the matter. ITEM has filed the case with the court, which is expected to rule soon.

Long way to go for tax solutions in cross-border employment

Although several measures have been taken in recent years to solve problems in cross-border employment, harmonisation of tax and social security systems between countries is still a bridge too far, Professor Marjon Weerepas stated in her inaugural speech entitled 'Border workers: coordinating, not because it is not possible, but because it is necessary'. 

Cross-border cooperation: challenges ahead

On 16 November, the fourth annual ITEM (Institute for Transnational and Euregional cross-border cooperation and Mobility) conference took place. Around 120 experts and scientists from several countries gathered in Brussels to discuss the theme 'Cross-border cooperation: challenges ahead'.

Cooperating & connecting: ITEM Director on regional television

On 19 November Prof. dr. Anouk Bollen (ITEM / Maastricht University, Faculty of Law), was a guest on the regional television programme L1 AvondGasten. Together with members of the European Parliament she took part in a discussion about several European themes. They discussed ITEM's focus, as well as the recently published Cross-border Impact Assessment. The discussion was led by Sander Kleikers of L1.

Successful ITEM-Benelux Workshop on qualification recognition in Europe

On 15 November 2018, an ITEM Benelux Workshop about recognising qualifications took place at the Benelux Secretariat General in Brussels. The workshop brought together different stakeholders at the regional, national and European levels.

ITEM publishes Cross-border Impact Assessment for 2018

The ITEM Cross-border Impact Assessment 2018 has been published! The report is intended as a valuable tool for policy makers at regional, national and European level when taking decisions on legislation and regulations with (additional) effects for border regions.

Frontier workers not eligible for Baukindergeld

In March the German coalition agreed to a subsidy aimed at stimulating young families' own home ownership financially. Only  people living in Germany are eligible. What does this mean for taxpaying frontier workers? The Baukindergeld was examined in the framework of ITEM’s annual Cross-border Impact Assessment .

ITEM participates in Expert Panel on a Cross-border Mechanism

On invitation of the Rapporteur Matthijs van Miltenburg, Martin Unfried of expertise centre ITEM participated in an expert panel about a cross-border mechanismorganised by the ALDE Group on 18 October 2018.

Update Dutch child care workers in North Rhine-Westphalia

In order to cope with labour market shortages and abundances in the area of child care work it has been proposed that Dutch child care workers be employed across the border in Germany. However, recognition procedures have proven to stand in the way of the swift labour market access of Dutch child care workers. A current complaint procedure is aimed at finding out whether the cross-border mobility of child care workers may be facilitated. 

30% rule gets transitional right after all

In the Belastingplan 2019 (Dutch Tax Plan 2019) Amendment Memorandum, the State Secretary for Finance announced that the reduction of the 30% ruling from 8 to 5 years will be granted a transitional period after all. The new duration of the ruling depends on the current end date.

Report on frontier workers in Europe leads to proposal for legislative amendment by minister

The Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sports has responded in a letter to the House of Representatives, which has ensured that a recommendation from the report Grenswerkers in Europa (frontier workers in Europe) has been resolved.

First step in B-solutions project completed

A first document has been published as part of the B-Solutions project “Roadmap and factsheet for the recognition of qualifications for highly demanded professions”. The goal of the project, submitted by the Province of Limburg (NL) as lead applicant and carried out by Expertise Centre ITEM, is to develop roadmaps and factsheets aimed at boosting cross-border mobility and employability by improving recognition

Why not stay for another coffee and a career?

Labour market experts Inge Hooijen and Julia Reinold researched the mobility behaviour of graduates in the Meuse–Rhine Euroregion – and found that big life decisions are down to more than an attractive labour market.

B-Solutions Project “Roadmap and factsheet for the recognition of qualifications for highly demanded professions”

The activities for the B-Solutions project “Roadmap and factsheet for the recognition of qualifications for highly demanded professions” have recently started. This project, submitted by the Province of Limburg (NL) as lead applicant and carried out by ITEM, brings together partners along the Dutch border comprising partners from the Netherlands, Belgium, North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony. 

Cooperation MUMC+/ITEM on Euregional Centre for Paediatric Surgery

MUMC+ is cooperating with parties in the Euregio Meuse-Rhine on the establishment of a Euregional Centre for Paediatric Surgery. This process leads to a large number of questions and challenges. One of these concerns the education and training of paediatric surgeons in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany and their mobility between the three countries. ITEM researches this topic on behalf of the MUMC+.

ITEM publishes practical explanatory documents about recognition of qualifications

Cross-border work involves a lot to be taken into account. A much-discussed aspect is the recognition of qualifications. During these procedures, competent authorities check whether a person's diplomas and professional experience meet certain standards. Such processes are anything but obvious. In order to provide clarity in the complex subject matter, the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science has commissioned Expertise Centre ITEM to draw up a set of explanatory documents. Expertise Centre ITEM is pleased to announce the publication of these documents.

ITEM Cross-border portal launched

ITEM supports and promotes - from science - the euregional and transnational functioning of society. In order for society to use ITEM's research, a cross-border portal was launched on September 24th, 2018 during a GIPTOGETHER-meeting of cross-border information points in Eupen.

Second report on corporate mobility in the EU published

The second report of the ITEM/ICGI project on ‘Cross-Border Corporate Mobility in the EU’ has now been published. The report identifies a continuous cross-border corporate activity and features a comprehensive country-by-country reporting to provide a fuller picture of cross-border company mobility in the EU.

Presentation Neimed during first Euregio Summer School

From 10 to 15 September 2018, the cross-border and multidisciplinary Euregio Summer School in the Meuse-Rhine Euroregion was organised for the first time. 45 students from higher education institutions and representatives from knowledge institutes in the Euroregion came together with one goal: to develop visions of the future on the theme 'Improving inclusive Mobility in the Digital Age' in the Meuse-Rhine Euroregion.

ITEM Test case: Update on DigiD for cross-border workers

Expertise Centre ITEM investigates a number of aspects in relation to cross-border work. One obstacle that cross-border workers face involves obtaining a 'DigiD', the Dutch digital identification system. Regarding this obstacle proceedings were initiated in recent months, which have led to a ruling of the District Court of The Hague. Unfortunately, this ruling is not satisfactory, and an appeal has been lodged.

Limited attention for cross-border policy in Limburg coalition agreements

Stichting Geen Grens: "New municipal coalitions in Limburg often overlook foreign affairs". The newly appointed municipal authorities in Limburg are aware that their municipality has foreign borders, but many coalitions do not take this into account in their policy plans. This concludes the Stichting Geen Grens (No Border Foundation) after comparing the 30 new coalition agreements in Limburg.

Students cooperate on inclusive mobility throughout the Meuse-Rhine Euregion

During the second week of September 2018, the first Euregio Summer School will be held. The week will be devoted to working together on the topic of cross-border mobility in the digital age and will take place at a number of locations within the Meuse-Rhine Euregion.

ITEM carries out research into diploma recognition in border regions

The Province of Limburg has commissioned the ITEM Expertise Centre to carry out research into the recognition of diplomas in border regions. In June, the European Union's B-solution project awarded a grant for a pilot project to increase transparency in the field of diploma recognition for highly demanded professions.

The burdensome fiscal and social security status of highly mobile workers

Due to globalization and the increasingly integrated nature of regional economies, workers largely operate cross-border on a highly mobile basis. Because of this highly mobile character of activities, difficulties arise regarding the place of exercise of employment for tax purposes, and affiliated (dis)coordination difficulties between tax and social security rules.

More insecurity in border regions over increased VAT rate

What does the announced VAT increase mean for the Dutch border regions? Read more on the results and recommendations in ITEM's report 'Verkenning van grenseffecten van verhoging lage Btw-tarief'.

Recognition of diplomas: roadmap

One of the projects that has been submitted in the B-solutions call from the European Commission is about a roadmap for the recognition of qualifications. The roadmap and factsheet for the recognition of qualifications concerning highly demanded professions are aimed at boosting cross-border mobility and employability by improving recognition.

Launching ITEM's cross border portal in September

Expertise Centre ITEM supports and promotes - from science - the euregional and transnational functioning of society. In order for society to use ITEM's research, a cross-border portal will be launched in September 2018.

Cross-border cooperation in coalition agreement Maastricht

The newly drafted coalition agreement of the Municipality of Maastricht demonstrates the importance of Maastricht’s international position and cooperation, the ITEM Expertise Centre concludes. In the official document, which was signed on June 11th 2018, several ambitions on (Euro)regional level are formulated for the upcoming administrative period. The objectives are involved with cross-border cooperation, labour mobility, education and transportation.

Doctoral dissertation defence by PhD-Candidate of TRANSMIC project

On Wednesday June 27th 2018 Zvezda Vankova will defend her doctoral dissertation about circular migration in the Eastern partnership countries. The project is part of the TRANSMIC project and has the aim to analyse the implementation of the EU’s approach to circular migration and its impact on the rights of the economically low- and highly- skilled legal migrants from the Eastern partnership countries.

Promotion Marcus Meyer

On 9 April, MCEL member Marcus Meyer successfully defended his PhD thesis entitled "The Position of Dutch Works Councils in Multinational Corporations".

Jacqueline de Groot working for ITEM

Jacqueline de Groot is delighted to support ITEM in the upcoming year and a half as advisor external affairs.

Call for participants - ITEM DigiD Survey

Expertise Centre ITEM is researching a number of aspects in relation to cross-border work. One of the issues currently in the spotlight is the (im)possibility to get a DigiD. Expertise Centre ITEM would like to know how many people would like to use a DigiD, but find that they are unable to obtain it.

Overcoming obstacles: Child care workers across the border

Recognition procedures prevent Dutch child care workers from being able to work abroad. This was revealed after several reports by the SGA, leading to a pilot procedure set up by Expertise Centre ITEM / SGA, among others, that will examine whether partial recognition as Erzieher could be enabled for Dutch child care workers.

“Linguistic diversity in the workplace is a reality”

PhD candidate Daan Hovens is studying multilingualism in the workplace. “It became clear very quickly that it would be Daan”, says his supervisor Leonie Cornips. “I admire his language skills and learn from him to ask my questions clearly in advance.” Hovens: “I enjoy sinking my teeth into a subject.” Both professor and PhD candidate are in agreement: “We need to learn to value people’s creativity in overcoming language barriers.”

Start of Matthijs Huizing - advisor external affairs - at ITEM

Matthijs Huizing has joined the team of Expertise Centre ITEM. With his position as ‘advisor external affairs’, he will represent the expertise centre in order to form a link between science, politics and policy.

ITEM joins TEIN network of cross-border organisations

Expertise Centre ITEM is glad to have become a member of TEIN (Transfrontier Euro-Institut Network), the network for cross-border institutes and universities. With its membership, they will strengthen its cooperation with other institutes and universities in border regions.

Report on Specialised IC Nurses presented (ITEM)

Working across the border as a specialised IC nurse is not a matter of course. For this reason, the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations has requested Expertise Centre ITEM to study the cross-border mobility of specialised Intensive Care (IC) nurses. On Wednesday 7 March, ITEM presented the results.

Announcement dossiers ITEM Cross-border Impact Assessment 2018

Expertise Centre ITEM announces the dossier selection for research in their annual Cross-border impact assessment. The final selection was made based on the stakeholder consultation. In the upcoming period, a team of ITEM researchers and experts will direct their attention to the dossiers.

Thomas Biermeyer and Marcus Meyer publish first report on corporate mobility in the EU

The project leaders of the ITEM/ICGI project ‘Cross-border Corporate Mobility in the EU’ present empirical findings in their first report in the project. The report will provide a general and preliminary overview of empirical findings in the topic of cross-border corporate mobility within the EU.

Interview: An advocate of cross-border working

Martin Unfried, 'Ontgrenzer' at the Institute for Transnational and Euregional cross-border cooperation and Mobility / ITEM was interviewed by Julian Binn German-Dutch media site 'AHA24x7' about his view on cross-border labour and his job as 'ontgrenzer'.

ITEM sets out bottlenecks related to the recognition of qualifications

When professionals and students move to other countries to either work or study there, they may need recognition of their qualifications. Different instruments and procedures exist depending on the purpose of mobility. Despite the fact that such instruments mainly aim at facilitating mobility, bottlenecks may nonetheless arise in practice. ITEM briefly sets out some exemplary bottlenecks including suggested solutions related to the recognition of qualifications following from their casuistry and research.

Quick scan of Dutch coalition agreement: effects for border regions

De ITEM quick scan maakt een eerste inschatting mogelijk in hoeverre een onderwerp een verdere beoordeling vergt wat mogelijke grenseffecten betreft. ITEM heeft de quick scan toegepast op beleidsvoornemens die in het Nederlandse Regeerakkoord van 2017 worden genoemd. 

The importance of cross-border impact assessments reaffirmed

Can certain rules affect the daily lives of border residents? By means of an impact assessment, the impact of certain guidelines can be measured. The ITEM Expertise Centre is committed to mapping the impact of legislation and policies for border regions. In this context, ITEM published its annual Cross-border Impact Assessment 2017 on Friday, November 10, 2017.

Winds of change for border areas

There is a growing interest in cross-border collaboration in the European Union , says Maastricht University's Institute for Transnational and Euregional cross border cooperation and Mobility (ITEM). ITEM's annual cross-border impact assessment generates scientific insights into themes involving cross-border mobility and cooperation.

Migration &: The Depth and Breadth of Migration Studies

What do we consider a migrant? What drives migration? And how does migration interact with other areas? These are topics Prof. dr. Siegel covered in her inaugural lecture in June 2017.

ITEM's Martin Unfried present at EU Conference about Border Regions

Martin Unfried from the Institute for Transnational and Euregional Cross-border cooperation and Mobility / ITEM of Maastricht University was present at the launch conference 'Boosting Growth and Cohesion in EU Border Regions' of the European Commission in Brussels. During the event Unfried gave background information about ITEM’s annual Cross-border Impact Assessment, which was put forward by the Commission as a good practice in regards to the improvement of the legislative process within the European Union.

European Commission classifies ITEM as good practice

In an official document of the Commission’s Regional Policy titled Communication “Boosting Growth and Cohesion in EU Border Regions”, the Cross-border Impact Assessment of the ITEM Expertise centre of Maastricht University was put forward as a good practice by the European Commission in order to facilitate the improvement of the legislative process within the European Union.

ITEM publication about student mobility rights and national higher education autonomy in the European Union

The thesis ‘Balancing Student Mobility Rights and National Higher Education Autonomy in the European Union’ by Dr. Alexander Hoogenboom, connected to the ITEM Expertise centre and the Faculty of Law of Maastricht University, will be issued by publishing house Brill in the series ‘Nijhoff Studies in European Union Law’ in October 2017.

Reaction report ‘Cross-border workers in Europe’ by Ministry of the Interior to address the progress of cross-border cooperation

The Ministry of the Interior has written a response to the report ‘Cross-border workers in Europe’ (Grenswerkers in Europa) in a Letter to Parliament. Furthermore the minister addresses the progress of cross-border cooperation.

ITEM calls for participants of survey about international migrants in the Euregio Meuse-Rhine

Maastricht University researchers are currently calling for people to take part in a survey about the reasons for highly-skilled international migrants to come to live and/or work in Limburg (NL) or the Euregio Meuse-Rhine. By participating, you can help make internationals’ lives, like your own, in the region easier and increase the attractiveness of the region for internationals.

Dr Marjon Weerepas appointed to endowed chair of Taxation of Cross-Border Employment

Dr Marjon Weerepas has been appointed as professor occupying the new endowed chair of Taxation of Cross-Border Employment (0.2 FTE) with effect from 1 August.

Biker gangs & borders

PhD candidate Kim Geurtjens conducts research into the cross-border nature of criminal motorcycle gangs.

Jean Monnet grant for ITEM/ICGI research project about cross-border corporate mobility in the EU

ITEM’s Marcus Meyer and Thomas Biermeyer have won a Jean Monnet grant on the topic of cross-border mobility of companies in the EU and EEA. This project supplements a tender won by Thomas and Marcus earlier this year from ETUI for a three-year project on the same topic. The Jean Monnet grant allows to extend the project’s monitoring timespan to 20 years, covering the period 2000-2020 and organizing a high-level conference on this topic in Brussels.

Doctorate removes tax barriers for EU-citizens who work across the border

On 12 July 2017 the defence of PhD Thesis of Dr Hannelore Niesten (joint doctorate UHasselt/UM) took place. The joint doctorate of Dr Hannelore Niesten was carried out under supervisors Prof. Dr. Elly Van de Velde (UHasselt) and Dr. Marjon Weerepas (Maastricht University). The University of Hasselt pubslished an article about the PhD thesis regarding the tax barriers of free movement of persons in the EU.