Funded by European Commission DG Research, 6th Framework Programme

The project will investigate the experience of various actors, such as local authorities, business associations, business support organisations, informal network groups, as well as enterprises of different sizes, with respect to different forms of formal and informal co-operation across borders. In order to capture a wide range of entrepreneurial activity, households are also included. In analysing the scope and nature of cross-border co-operation, the project will particularly focus on the role of trust, and on individual and collective learning, assessed in relation to other factors, as influences on the success of these cross-border relationships, in terms of their longevity and the benefits that accrue to the respective partners. Following a review of the existing evidence base and of relevant theoretical literature, the methodology employed will involve a combination of secondary data and primary, empirical investigation in selected case study border regions in Finland, Germany, Poland, Greece, Bulgaria and Estonia. Outputs from the project will include practical policy recommendations to the various stakeholders and a practical guide on cross-border co-operation, including evidence based recommendations aimed at both institutions and entrepreneurs.

Project objectives

1. Identify and assess the implications of EU enlargement on entrepreneurship development and business interaction in different types of border regions, together with the key factors influencing these.
2. Assess the potential for cross border co-operation, involving actors, such as local authorities, business associations, business support agencies, informal groups, new, small and larger firms in contributing to the development of productive entrepreneurship and sustainable regional development, in selected regions.
3. Assess the effect of border changes on the perception of entrepreneurs and institutional actors, with respect to regional identity and the implications (if any) for cross-border co-operation.
4. Identify and assess economic, social, cultural and institutional factors influencing the development and sustainability of different forms of cross border partnerships between various actors in selected border regions, with a view to identifying the scope for the development of emerging clusters of economic activity.
5. Develop an empirically grounded typology of cross border co-operation in border regions, with regard to the future contribution of intra-regional enterprise (clusters), household and institutional partnerships to economic development.
6. Assess the role of individual and collective learning at the regional level, as well as personal and institutional trust, for fostering or impeding cross border co-operation and its contribution to economic development, together with the main implications for our understanding of business behaviour and practices of business support.
7. Make practical recommendations to policy makers (at the EU, national and regional levels) and practitioners in the fields of entrepreneurship and economic development, concerning cross-border co-operation, paying particular attention to the need for new forms of governance.