Eastern France strengthens its relationship with neighboring German regions

The Grand Est Region, the only French administrative region entirely bordering Germany, is deepening its cooperation with its German neighbor through a new roadmap for 2025–2028. This roadmap addresses ecological and digital transitions, youth, culture, economy, and mobility. Eastern France is now positioning itself as a pilot region for Franco-German cooperation.

Strong cultural ties between Eastern France and Germany

With over 300 twinning partnerships between Grand Est municipalities and German towns, the region has actively intensified its Franco-German cultural relations in the past years. The new 2025–2028 roadmap will aim to strengthen this cooperation by promoting German language learning, facilitating access to German culture, and improving cross-border services.

A cooperation centered on Innovation

The Grand Est region shares with Germany an innovative industrial economic model. This particular model has led the border area to be recognized as a “European Innovation Valley.”

The energy transition belongs to the several tageted sectors to boast innovation on both parts of the border. The development of European networks for decarbonized hydrogen opens up new cooperation opportunities between Grand Est, Saarland, and Baden-Württemberg. These institutions regularly organizes study visits and experience-sharing events on renewable energy.

In parallel, cooperation projects are underway focusing on the impact of transition issues in the automotive sector and reducing its carbon footprint.

Several research institutions from Germany and Grand Est have also launched joint projects, particularly in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. The opening of the Grand Est Quantum Center in Strasbourg in March 2025 is part of this dynamic.

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Facilitating the integration of German companies in Eastern France

The strength of ties between Eastern France (Région Grand Est) and its neighboring German regions reflects an intense economic cooperation.

More than 800 German companies are already established in Grand Est. The 2025–2028 roadmap will support the prospecting of German companies in Grand Est, particularly in the field of bioeconomy. It will also opens access to industrial platforms for additive manufacturing and digitalization.

All new projects will benefit from the free & confidential support of Grand Est Développement International team. Our team is 100% German-speaking and have a excellent knowledge of German markets.