Participatory cross-border governance for transition management in central European cross-border regions

Project overview Project results Pilot outcomes Project partners Get involved

Project overview

Thanks to EU integration, borders across countries have been softening – but public administration and policies still do not sufficiently address the needs of cross-border communities. The project BorderLabs CE will change this by improving public capacities for participatory cross-border cooperation. Partners from six countries jointly develop and pilot new governance models and solutions for integrated cross-border strategy development. They also investigate new approaches to participatory governance, the cross-border development of sustainable tourism, the cross-border marketing of local products, and the reduction of border obstacles.

Title: Participatory cross-border governance for transition management in central European cross-border regions

Acronym: BorderLabs CE

Programme: Interreg Central Europe

Project ID: CE0200537

Project duration: 01.06.2024 – 30.11.2026

Project budget: € 1.710.608,72 (ERDF € 1.368.486,97)

Lead partner: Saxon State Ministry of Regional Development (Germany)

Our project was structured around two main Work Packages, leading to key strategic documents, shared learning experiences, and an interactive learning platform designed to foster cross-border cooperation across Central Europe.

Work Package 1: Piloting and Evaluating Solutions

To test and refine our approaches in real-world scenarios, WP1 focused on capacity building and practical tool deployment across various pilot regions.

Discover pilot outcomes

Work Package 2: Transferring and Mainstreaming Solutions

WP2 transformed local experiences into broader transnational knowledge. This work package reached its goals through several key deliverables.

Discover project level results

Project level results (WP2)

1. Mapping Challenges and Needs

To understand the current landscape of cross-border integrated planning, participatory governance, and obstacle management, we brought stakeholders together at our Transnational Kick-Off Conference (Read Summary) and synthesized our findings in the Assessment Report on Joint Challenges and Needs (Download Report)

2. Peer Learning and Exchange

Through collaborative exchanges and thematic sessions, expert insights were compiled into two comprehensive documents: our Joint Report on Thematic Expert Workshops (Download Report) and the Joint Report on Field Trips and Study Visits (Download Report) .

3. Transnational Learning and Exchange

Building on the experiences, models, and solutions generated through our pilot activities and co-learning processes, our Transnational Learning and Exchange activities capitalise project findings for the Central European cross-border cooperation community. By combining strategic policy frameworks with digital learning, we aim to drive multi-level governance solutions and foster stronger territorial integration across the region:

Charter for Participatory Cross-Border Cooperation Governance in CE: Serving as a joint mission statement, this cornerstone document addresses common regional challenges such as migration, security, EU enlargement, and territorial development. It points to the need for multi-level governance policy responses and defines concrete actions to improve cross-border cooperation mechanisms across Central Europe. Explore the Charter
Joint Final Event — High-Level Conference in Brussels: The Charter was presented and discussed at the project’s closing conference in Brussels as a shared vision and strategic call-to-action for political representatives and regional stakeholders. Read the Event Summary
Multimedia Learning Platform on Participatory Cross-Border Cooperation Governance in CE: Integrated directly into this website, the platform presents easy-to-understand online articles, field notes, and interactive tools designed to disseminate lessons learned and boost the uptake of our solutions.

Guided Learning Path

The Charter forms the core thematic foundation of this Multimedia Learning Platform. To get the most out of your visit, we invite you to follow this step-by-step roadmap:

1. Start with the Core Themes: Begin your journey with the Mission to understand our core vision, and then explore each dedicated thematic chapter: Spatial Planning > Governance > Obstacles.
2. Within each chapter, you will find a complete learning package: Background & Theory (the essential frameworks behind each topic); Field Notes (practical insights from on-the-ground experiences of our pilots); Best Practices (replicable success stories from Central Europe); Glossary (key terminology to deepen your understanding); Quiz (interactive tests to check your knowledge).
3. Dive into the Pilots: Once you have completed the four main chapters, explore the concrete results and practical implementation of our pilot projects: Pilot 1: Strategy Development > Pilot 2: Governance > Pilot 3: Slow Tourism > Pilot 4: Local Products > Pilot 5: Obstacles.
4. Join the Community: Learning should not be a lonely journey! Check out how you can actively get involved and become part of our ongoing cross-border network.

Pilot outcomes (WP1)

Project partners

Get involved

Ready to shape the future of border regions with us?

Complete the form to join our community, choose your level of participation, and stay updated on the latest BorderLabs CE activities.

Join the Movement

Looking for daily updates and cross-border discussions?

Follow BorderLabs CE on Facebook to stay connected with our community, events, and latest insights.

Want to join the dialogue on turning the Charter into practice?

Join our 3-part webinar series to discuss joint planning, participatory action, and solutions to regional barriers with leading practitioners.

Take part in the Central European Map & Time Travel Competition!

Showcase shared landscapes, histories, and regional transformations through maps, diagrams, and visual storytelling.

Explore the Call

This platform has been developed within the BorderLabs CE project, supported by the Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE Programme with co-financing from the European Union. Its content, including any analyses, interpretations, opinions, forecasts and recommendations, is the sole responsibility of the authors and the project partnership and does not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE Programme, its programme bodies or the European Union.