Cross-border co-operation approach and phenomenon

The cross-border phenomenon
Cross-border co-operations may be found on all fields and levels of the economic, social, political, etc. as well as everyday life.
Remigio Ratti (1993)
Oscar Martinez (1994)
József Tóth (1996)

Remigio Ratti (1993)

Remigio Ratti (1993)

Oscar Martinez (1994)

Cross-border co-operation approach
there is not one event, process or phenomenon in geography which has no cross-border relevance
e.g. Carpathian Mountains, River Danube, Pyrenees: located or flow on the area of several countries
these require harmonised actions which can be reached through interregional, transnational and cross-border co-operations
“Europe without borders”
“border regions as key areas and experimental laboratories in the European integration process”
“borders as active participants and key areas in the formation of cross-border regional policy”

A new discipline or a new approach?
cross-border researches do not constitute a new discipline but an approach applied by the disciplines

The added value of cross-border co-operations
the analysis and measuring of added value: one of the best ways of understanding the cross-border phenomenon and approach
this implies that all activities, actions and processes are seen from a cross-border perspective and actually reveals that these activities and processes in border regions always have a cross-border effect and relevance
added value is an important element also in the integration processes of the European Union

Added value of cross-border co-operations
(based on AEBR’s White Paper on European border regions, 2006)
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European added value
In the case of cross-border co-operations European added value stems in the fact that that people who live together in neighbouring border regions most often have the will and intention to cooperate. This results in a valuable contribution to the promotion of peace, freedom, security and the observance of human rights.
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Political
added value
It involves a substantial contribution with respect to
“the development of Europe and European integration;
getting to know each other, getting on together, understanding each other and building trust;
the implementation of subsidiarity and partnership;
increased economic and social cohesion and cooperation;
preparing for the accession of new members;
using EU funding to secure cross-border cooperation via multiannual programmes, and ensuring that the necessary national and regional co-financing is committed in the long term.”
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Institutional added value
Institutional added value is the result of the
active involvement of all levels (citizens, authorities, political and social groups) on both sides of the border;
secure knowledge about one’s neighbour (regional authorities, social partners, etc.);
long term cross-border cooperation in structures that are capable of working efficiently:
as a vertically and horizontally functioning partnership, despite having different structures and areas of responsibility;
as a legally accepted target of aid and a working partner, receiving and administering funds;
joint drafting, implementation and financing of cross-border programmes and projects
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Socio-economic added value
The socio-economic added value is apparent in all respective regions, albeit in different ways, through:
“the mobilisation of endogenous potential by strengthening the regional and local levels as partners for and initiators of cross-border cooperation;
the participation of actors from the economic and social sectors (for example, chambers of commerce, associations, companies, trade unions, cultural and social institutions, environmental organisations and tourism agencies);
the opening up of the labour market and harmonisation of professional qualifications;
additional development, for example, in the fields of infrastructure, transport, tourism, environment, education, research and cooperation between small and medium-sized enterprises, and also the creation of more jobs in these areas;
lasting improvements in the planning of spatial development and regional policy (including the environment);
the improvement of cross-border transport infrastructure.
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Socio-cultural added value
It is reflected in:
lasting, repeated dissemination of knowledge about the geographical, structural, economic, socio-cultural and historical situation of a cross-border region (including the help of the media);
the overview of a cross-border region afforded in maps, publications, teaching material, and so on;
the development of a circle of committed experts (multipliers), such as churches, schools, youth and adult educational establishments, the conservation authorities, cultural associations, libraries, museums, and so forth;
equal opportunities and extensive knowledge of the language of the neighbouring country or of dialects as a component of cross-border regional development and a prerequisite for communication.
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Specific added value
The specific added value of cross-border co-operations to implementing the Lisbon Strategy derives from the fact that cross-border cooperation always adds value to national measures. This added value results from
additionality of cross-border programmes and projects
synergies through cross-border cooperation
joint research and innovation
cross-border networking
exchange of best practice and know-how
spin-off effects by overcoming borders
efficient cross-border resource management
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