Being situated in the heart of Europe, Thuringia offers excellent possibilities for cooperation with other European regions. Numerous Thuringian companies, universities, R&D facilities as well as public institutions already established contacts to various regions in Europe. This way, they gained useful experiences in transnational and interregional cooperation.

In order to further intensify this cooperation, the European Structural Funds - European Social Fund (ESF) and European Fund for Regional Development (ERDF) - offer 28 million Euros in the current funding period 2007-2013. The Thuringian Coordination Office TNA is in charge of activities focusing on transnational and interregional cooperation eligible in this funding period. This way, the Free State of Thuringia sets the stage for intensifying already existing cooperation and for establishing new contacts.