General information about Silesia Euroregion

Silesia Euroregion was created in September 1998 under the agreement between Polish side represented by the Association of Upper Odra Basin Communities and the Czech side which was represented by the Regional Association of Polish-Czech Cooperation in the Opawa Silesia (currently Euroregion Silesia - CZ).

Euroregion gathers 19 communities and towns on the Polish side in provinces of Silesia and Opole, 57 communities and towns on the Czech side in Moravia-Silesia and also 5 supporting organizations (Silesia University in Opava, Economic Chamber Opawa, Association „Motherland of Silesia”, LGD Opawsko i LGD Hlučinsko).

The main activity of Euroregion is to support and implement Polish-Czech cooperation in the border areas of Polish Silesia, Czech Silesia and Moravia to reduce the negative influence of the country borders, provide balanced progress of the border area on both Polish and Czech sides and enable smooth integration of the region as part of European Union.

As part of the Polish-Czech cooperation Euroregion works on common issues of cross-border transportation infrastructure, common environmental problems,  it also supports cross-border touristic traffic, local schools and youth partnerships on both border sides, growth of culture, education and sport on the Polish and Czech side of the Region. Euroregion task is also to take care of social and cultural heritage, support economical and commercial cooperation, common plans regarding progress of different aspects in the border area, provide promotion of the region and finally Euroregion serves other duties to achieve EU targets in the field of European regional cooperation.

To provide functioning of Silesia Euroregion it was necessary to open secretariats that would serve the function of implementing the projects for both associations. Despite difficult beginnings, Silesia Eurodistrict built a strong personal team and technical resources. It was possible thanks to extraordinary support from Racibórz and Opawa towns and also all communities and towns - members of Euroregion, that participated from the beginning in financing the secretariats activities. Both secretariats have their own office with professional personnel serving all necessary duties.

The head of the Polish secretary is a director. This function is performed by Daria Kardaczyńska since April 2007.

The head of Czech secretary is a chancellor. This function is performed by Jana Novotná Galuszková since mid-2000.