Stability of transborder cooperation on the example of Polish borderlands
Sylwia DOLZBLASZ, University of Wroclaw, Poland
Andrzej RACZYK, University of Wroclaw, Poland
Due to their complex and multi-aspect character the development of borderland areas constitutes one of the most complicated and challenging research issues. Transborder cooperation constitutes a very important element of the formation of borderlands. In particular, this concerns the stability of this cooperation, as it can contribute to the elimination of barriers existing at the borders, negatively affecting their socio-economic space. Hence, it has a potentially important role in the development of borderlands and overcoming their peripherality in the long-term perspective.
The main objective of the study was to identify mechanisms of stability of transborder cooperation on the example of Poland’s borderlands. The basis of the analysis was a comprehensive research of transborder cooperation projects under European Territorial Cooperation 2007-2013, INTERREG 2014-2020, European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument 2007-2013 and European Neighbourhood Instrument 2014-2020. Thus research included in total over 2200 beneficiaries realizing over 1500 projects approved for implementation in the 2007-2013 and the 2014-2020 period.
Research consisted of following parts taking into account the context of stability of cooperation: analysis of the character of transborder cooperation on Poland’s borderlands, analysis of cooperation networks and qualitative analysis of cooperation in light of surveys (among all projects’ beneficiaries, both Polish and from neigbouring countries). This allowed us to compare the features of cooperation during the 2007-2013 and 2014-2020 periods and at the EU's internal and external borders. The project allowed us to better understand the issue of stability, its diversification and conditions.
Mots clés : cross-border cooperation|borderland|stability|network|Poland
A103750SD