A cross-border perspective on European local and regional development policies

Since its inception, cross-border cooperation within the European Union (EU) has succeeded, exemplifying the concept of a ‘Borderless Europe.’ This collaboration often utilizes flexible, voluntary mechanisms that alleviate legislative and procedural challenges associated with national borders, fostering functional regions characterized by trust and shared management. The aim is to tackle common challenges in border regions, exploit their growth potential, and enhance overall regional development while preserving cultural diversity. Efforts to institutionalize cooperation began in the 1980s, as borders were viewed as barriers to a single market. The Madrid Outline Convention was an early attempt at this, but its impact was limited. A significant shift occurred with Jacques Delors’ 1988 reforms, which recognized border regions as crucial actors in the EU. The formal adoption of INTERREG programmes in 1990 marked the transition from national to regional planning, promoting cross-border cooperation under the Cohesion Policy. The INTERREG initiative has evolved over time, accommodating more Member States and external partners, while providing necessary funding for territorial cooperation. Nonetheless, challenges remain, indicating a need for more strategic approaches and stronger legal frameworks. The chapter addresses two primary issues: the analysis of regional development through multi-level governance and the exploration of key cross-border policies, including their goals, actors, and innovative instruments like Community-Led Local Development (CLLD), Integrated Territorial Investments (ITI), and European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC). The conclusion emphasizes the importance of soft factors and relational goods to meet new objectives for the 2021–2027 programming period, advocating for enhancing these cooperative instruments.