Welcome to the European Information Network in the North East of England
These pages provide details of information providers based in the North East who can answer all types of enquiries that you might have about the European Union, plus local European events, news and links to further information sources.
Although the North East is one of the smallest of the English regions both in area (8,573 sq km) and population (2.5m), it is also among the most progressive and diverse. Its four sub regions of Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Tees Valley enjoy the outstanding natural boundaries of the Pennines, the Scottish Borders and North Sea.
While the region boasts two thriving city regions centred on the rivers Tyne and Tees, a large part is rural, with as much as a third classed as National Park (Northumberland National Park and part of North York Moors National Park) or an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (North Pennines and the Northumberland Coast).
The North East is also home to two World Heritage Sites in Durham Cathedral and Hadrian's Wall and two international airports: Newcastle and Durham Tees Valley.
The region has had to face up to massive industrial change over the past 30 years due to the decline in manufacturing industry. But innovation and industrial change are nothing new to an area which played such a huge role in the Industrial Revolution.
The North East has been able to diversify in new areas such as microelectronics, the offshore industry, biotechnology and automotives. It is however still dealing with the economic, social and structural consequences of its past dependence on traditional industries. Although less than 15% of the workforce is still employed in manufacturing, the sector remains an important element in the economy.
As a result of industrial decline and the fact that many of the region's farmers face greater challenges to earn their living, European Union (EU) funding is vital in creating a world of opportunities for the development of the North East's economic, social and environmental regeneration.