Cross-Border Cooperation (CBC) in a Multi-Level Governance System in Southeastern Europe Territories

Abstract

Considering the actual panorama of a multi-level governance on EU, the macro-regional strategies - specifying the EU strategy for Danube region (EUSDR) fosters coordination across three dimensions: sector policies; different levels of governance from EU to regional or local, and across administrative boundaries. This chapter analyzes and assesses the ability, challenges, and obstacles of Cross-Border Cooperation (CBC) strategies, projects, and programs to improve integration and cohesion peripheral territories as is the case of the border region of Romania – Serbia, enabling articulating border areas and creating synergies among them. In this regard, it will be considered the latest findings on new insights towards spatial integration in border and transnational contexts. The chapter presents some hypothesis for a good-planned, long-term sustainability for this territory and lesson learned regarding the coordination and management of policies in the EU's system of multi-level governance that could have a wider application and scope.