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The European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC) West-Vlaanderen / Flandre-Dunkerque-Côte d’Opale follows the Franco-Belgian coastline for 200 km from Berck-sur-Mer to Brugge via Boulogne, Calais, Dunkerque and Oostende. Due to its complex name, which refers to its geographical perimeter, it is sometimes called the “littoral EGTC”.

Its territorial structure is comprised of three elements: the English Channel with its beaches and sizeable harbours, a land stripe of very low altitude, and finally, the suburbs of the thriving cities of Gent and Lille. The two countries are marked by significant differences in land and landscape use, as well as employment and economic structures. While on the French side, rural and natural areas coexist alongside the numerous industrial sites, the more densely populated and urbanized Flemish side lacks free spaces. In the current post-industrial era, the activities of both the industrial and fishing sectors located on the French side have declined, leading to a high unemployment rate. Contrastingly, Flemish cities like Brugge, Oostende and Kortrijk offer employment opportunities in the secondary and tertiary sectors.

The cross-border territory has a common Flemish history. Dutch is the official language in the province of West-Vlaanderen on the Belgian side. The Flemish influence is also noticeable in the French Flanders, especially in the region of Westhoek, where the Dutch dialect spoken has left traces in the villages’ toponomy (Hazebrouck, Hondschoote, Steenvoorde, Watten, Wormhout…). Despite these strong geographical and cultural continuities, the cultural division along the border is growing. In...