City Hall in Saarbrücken presents display focusing on cross-border community involvement in the SaarMoselle Eurodistrict
The "Common Ground SaarMoselle" project, a transnational initiative aimed at enhancing cross-border cooperation and citizen involvement in the Eurodistrict SaarMoselle, is set to enter its second phase in early 2026. Funded by the Robert Bosch Foundation as part of the "Common Ground - Co-shaping Across Borders" program from 2022 to 2025, the project has already made significant strides in promoting social and cultural exchange, joint governance structures, and cross-border citizen participation.
Objectives of the Common Ground SaarMoselle Project
The primary objectives of the project include:
- Encouraging cross-border citizen participation
- Promoting social and cultural exchange
- Developing joint governance structures
- Facilitating knowledge sharing
- Creating common public spaces and platforms
Impact on Cross-Border Citizen Involvement
The project has made a substantial impact in the region by:
- Raising awareness among citizens about the opportunities and benefits of cross-border cooperation
- Fostering a shared identity and common values in the SaarMoselle region
- Establishing regular dialogues between communities and local authorities
- Empowering civil society by giving citizens and local organizations more influence in shaping regional policies
- Supporting the creation of lasting networks that connect people and institutions
Exhibition Highlights the Power of Cross-Border Citizen Involvement
From July 16th to 26th, a bilingual exhibition will be held in the Hauberisser Hall of Saarbrücken's St. Johann town hall. The exhibition showcases the work of the Citizens' Council, a group of 40 citizens from Germany and France, who have been intensively addressing questions of cooperation in the Eurodistrict SaarMoselle for over a year. The exhibition makes the commitment to breaking down barriers and finding joint solutions visible.
Saarbrücken's Lord Mayor Uwe Conradt emphasizes the project's significance for the region, stating that the work of the Citizens' Council enables them to integrate the perspectives of people across borders. He also notes that the exhibition in the town hall makes the commitment to breaking down barriers and finding joint solutions visible.
The Future of the Common Ground SaarMoselle Project
The Eurodistrict SaarMoselle will take over project management in the future, ensuring the project's continued success. The Robert Bosch Foundation continues to support the project in its second phase, expected to be supported again by the foundation. The second phase of the project is planned to start in early 2026.
The "Common Ground SaarMoselle" project is already considered a pioneering model for cross-border democratic participation in Europe. The results of their work are documented in a report available online at [www.saarbruecken.de/abschluss_common_ground].
Visitors to the exhibition can see how cross-border citizen involvement can work in practice. The exhibition is open Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm. It serves as a testament to the power of citizen engagement in shaping the future of the Eurodistrict SaarMoselle and inspiring cross-border cooperation.
- The second phase of the Common Ground SaarMoselle project, funded by the Robert Bosch Foundation, will enter in early 2026, focusing on continuing the project's success in promoting cross-border citizen participation and joint governance structures, as well as facilitating knowledge sharing and creating common public spaces and platforms.
- The General News and Politics landscape in the Eurodistrict SaarMoselle is significantly influenced by the Common Ground SaarMoselle project, as it drives citizen engagement, fosters cross-border cooperation, and supports the development of joint governance structures, all of which are essential for shaping the region's future and breaking down barriers towards finding joint solutions.
