Cross-border Cooperation Programmes Research Articles

Territorial Cooperation and Cross-Border Development: The Portuguese Dynamics

This paper explores the effectiveness of cross-border cooperation programmes between Spain and Portugal, focusing on their impact and outcomes in Portuguese regions. Drawing on a comprehensive analysis of the programmes, the study examines the socio-economic dynamics in border regions, including job creation, population trends, and investment patterns. The research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative data analysis. We argue that the cross-border territorial cooperation between Spain and Portugal has played a significant role in fostering regional development and addressing common challenges. While the concerted efforts have shown positive results in terms of economic growth and employment, they have not been sufficient to reverse the regressive demographic trends. Thus, it is essential to strengthen cooperation mechanisms, invest in human capital, and foster innovation so that the two countries can work together to create sustainable and inclusive development across their shared border regions.

Analysis of errors and inaccuracies in the current edition of the GOST R ISO 7730-2009 standard

The paper analyzes the inaccuracies and inconsistencies of the national standard GOST R ISO 7730-2009 "Ergonomics of the thermal environment. Analytical determination and interpretation of the comfort of the thermal regime using the calculation of PMV and PPD indicators and criteria of local thermal comfort" and similar international standard ISO 7730:2005. These standards are designed to assess the quality of the internal environment in order to comply with international practices both in the field of environmental sustainability and in the field of energy efficiency of construction. The authors have investigated and described inaccuracies and inconsistencies, have proposed their corrections in Sections 4 and 5, which establish the method of calculating the predicted mean estimate (PMV – Predicted Mean Vote) and the predicted percentage of dissatisfied with the temperature environment (PPD – Predicted Percentage of Dissatisfied), as well as in Appendix D, which contains a listing of the PMV calculation program in the BASIC language. The paper has been written in accordance with the recommendations developed during the implementation of the international project KO1089 "Green Arctic Building" of the Cross-Border Cooperation Program.

ФОРМЫ ПРИГРАНИЧНОГО СОТРУДНИЧЕСТВА В КОНТЕКСТЕ РАЗВИТИЯ ИНТЕГРАЦИОННЫХ ПРОЦЕССОВ ЕВРАЗИЙСКОГО ЭКОНОМИЧЕСКОГО СОЮЗА

The mechanism of cross-­border cooperation (CBC) impact on the development of integration processes is revealed. The possibilities of using the CBC forms on the external borders of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) are analyzed via the experience of European and Chinese CBC models. It has been proven that effective CBC contributes to the expansion of integration processes, increases the efficiency of cross-­border resources use, creates prerequisites for the neutralization of border conflicts, and increases the economic security of the regional economic integration. Promising aspects of the CBC mechanism’s improvement on the EAEU external borders are identified, which are: harmonization of the EAEU member countries’ views relating to this mechanism; the creation of a single platform for consolidating legal and analytical information; exchanging experience in implementing CBC programs. Promising directions for the CBC forms’ development at the EAEU external borders are identified.

New look to the Madan region, Central Rhodope – mining tourism and geological phenomena

As part of a cross-border cooperation program project between Bulgaria and Greece (Interreg), the geotourism potential of the municipality of Madan has been assessed. The assessment was made of the possibilities for the conversion of abandoned mine workings into tourist sites. Eight (8) geotopes are described and the creation of 2 geo-trails is proposed.

Institutional development of circular economy in Russia and St. Petersburg

The term "circular economy" appeared relatively recently in Russia. Interest to the circular economy and the number of publications is growing. The concept of circular economy is very closely related to the green economy, bioeconomics, and low-carbon economy, which are based on moving away from fossil fuels and the development of new technologies. However, in Russia, most often circular economy means recycling system. The principles of circular economy are aimed at the economic, social, and environmental well-being of people. Experts identify factors that promote and hinder the development of circular economy in Russia. Issues of sustainable development, circular economy and energy transition are actively discussed by representatives of government, business and science at international and all-Russian forums. The principles of circular economy will allow achieving several Sustainable Development Goals. The circular economy is one of the key factors in achieving carbon-free energy goals. In St. Petersburg, profile committees, centers and associations are actively working in this direction. Consortia of international projects of most programs are formed from partners based on a triple helix approach- representatives of government, business and universities. The international projects of cross–border cooperation programmes "South-East Finland - Russia", "Estonia - Russia" and the INTERREG Baltic Sea region are considered. Pilot sites are being implemented within the framework of many international projects, with the possibility of further replication of successful experience. The legislative base of Russia and St. Petersburg in the field of circular economy is considered in detail.

СИНЕРГІЯ ТРАНСКОРДОННОГО СПІВРОБІТНИЦТВА ТА РЕГІОНАЛЬНОГО РОЗВИТКУ

The arguments regarding the expediency of using a synergistic methodology to understand the prerequisites, alternative directions and expected effects of regional development have been presented in the article. From the point of view of a synergistic approach, regions have a special status in the context of their relationship, on the one hand, with the system of the national economy (they act as an integral part of which primarily in the administrative and territorial aspect), and on the other hand, with the world economy (in the context of the processes of global regionalization and primarily due to cross-border cooperation programs). In the same way, individual business entities, having a territorial attachment and based on the use of local productive forces, can at the same time be part of various interregional associations, work both to strengthen the competitive advantages of the region, and fulfil national economic development tasks. The heterogeneity of regional systems, the presence of disproportions in the indicators of economic growth and the general asymmetry of regional development can be considered as signs of its non-linearity and, at the same time, as basic prerequisites for the establishment of cross-border cooperation, arising of emergent characteristics and effect of synergy in complex regional systems. The initiation of cross-border cooperation is associated with the passage of the “bifurcation point”, after which it is possible to achieve more advantageous spatio and temporal combinations of productive forces, which will ensure the maximum benefit from participation in interregional associations of various levels. It has been proposed to interpret the synergistic effect of cross-border cooperation as the result of the correct choice of attractive goals in the process of evolution of the regional system, which can be effectively achieved both by using its internal potential and by establishing mutually beneficial foreign economic ties, which ultimately leads to a rapid growth of economic indicators, social and environmental efficiency of the functioning of the regional economic complex, reducing the level of entropy (as a manifestation of disorganization and disorder), strengthening the competitive advantages of the region and increasing its importance in the context of the implementation of national strategic goals (including European integration policy).

Implementation of cross-border cooperation programs within the EU’s European neighborhood policy

Implementation of cross-border cooperation programs within the EU’s European neighborhood policy

Cross-Border Cooperation (CBC) between the Kaliningrad Region of the Russian Federation and Polish Neighboring Regions in the Years 1991–2020: A Program Approach

The article analyzes the development of cooperation between Russia’s Kaliningrad region and Poland’s northeastern voivodeships in 1991–2020. The authors conduct a brief historical analysis of regional sphere of international relations. This study compares two periods of introduction of programs aimed at the development of Polish- Russian CBC: years 1991–2014, and years 2014– 2020. The conducted analysis proved that CBC support programs are one of the important tools for the development of border areas. Importantly, the implementation of the Poland-Russia CBC Program 2014–2020 coincided with the deterioration of political relations: both on the bilateral level of Polish-Russian interstate relations and at the level of the European Union-Russia relations. However, this did not significantly affect the conditions for implementing the program and effective cooperation between local governments and non-governmental organizations.

The role of cross-border cooperation in improving the level and quality of life

Does cross-border cooperation facilitate or impede the quality of family life in the region? This article examines this question using empirical examples of cross-border cooperation Programmes in the Polish-Belarusian-Ukrainian borderland. It is shown that the processes of cross-border cooperation have a significant positive impact on the quality of life of the local population and regional development.

Problems and Prospects of Cross-Border Cooperation in Ukraine

The purpose of the article is to analyze the current state of cross-border cooperation in Ukraine, characterize the main problems and outline the prospects for its development.
 The article considers the importance of cross-border cooperation for Ukraine, which consists in the possibility of solving common economic, cultural and environmental problems with the border regions of neighboring countries, attracting foreign capital, creating new jobs, equalizing territorial disparities in development.
 The history of formation of cross-border cooperation in the country is analyzed. It was found that the first Euroregion in Ukraine, the Carpathian one, was established in 1993, and in 1996 Ukraine became a member of the Tacis CBC Cross-Border Cooperation Program.
 The composition of the legal framework for the regulation of cross-border cooperation is studied, the conclusion is made about the declarative nature of state programs for its development.
 The problems hindering the development of cross-border cooperation in Ukraine are described. The main ones are the following: insufficient financial support for the implementation of cross-border cooperation projects and programs; insufficient level of project management quality at the level of subjects and participants of cross-border cooperation; inefficient use of borrowed funds; lack of official statistical information in the field of cross-border cooperation.
 Perspective directions of development of cross-border cooperation in Ukraine are outlined, among which it is necessary to allocate: creation of the uniform scientifically substantiated concept of cross-border cooperation of Ukraine with the EU member states which would consider the general European and national priorities; developing a clear mechanism for raising funds at the national level to ensure cross-border cooperation programs; improving existing mechanisms for obtaining and using EU technical assistance; intensification of formation and development of cross-border clusters.

Management of Financial and Economic Development of Border Regions of Ukraine

The aims of the research are to study the management efficiency of financial and economic development of the border regions of Ukraine through the assessment of funding of the Cross-Border Cooperation Programme Poland-Belarus-Ukraine 2014-2020. The methodology is based on quantitative and qualitative research following the concept of “cross-border regional innovation system”. The basic research methods are statistical analysis of project financing indicators of the Cooperation Programme and content analysis of reports for 2016-2019 on project implementation. The results demonstrate the crucial role of the proximity of border regions in the level of development of the social-economic system, which accelerates cross-border cooperation and the effects of integration. Quantitative and qualitative assessments of the Programme prove the existence of insignificant short-term effects of cooperation between countries due to different levels of development of the border regions of Ukraine and Poland. The higher level of economic development of Poland’s regions has provided a comparative advantage in the implementation of projects in the framework of the Programme. The formation of a market model of Ukraine’s economy determines the implementation of projects in the social sphere, which in the long run will provide an influx of investment. The practical significance of the results lies in the possibility of using the results of the study in the development of cross-border cooperation programs within the concept of “cross-border regional innovation system”.

Transnational and Cross-Border Cooperation for Sustainable Tourism Development in the Baltic Sea Region

This article highlights policy in the field of sustainable tourism development being implemented at various institutional levels with particular attention to Russia as one of the participants in this cooperation. The author of this paper examines the processes aimed at achieving sustainable development goals in tourism at each of these levels. The initial focus of this article is to investigate how the territorial cooperation programs operating in the Baltic Sea Region in 2014–2020 contributed to sustainable development of tourism. There were more than 1000 projects investigated within the research area and the author found that 155 of them contribute to sustainable tourism development. The programs with the highest number of projects are in Latvia–Russia, Poland–Russia and Lithuania–Russia. They are mostly targeted at ecotourism development (35) or historical and cognitive projects (28). This supports our hypothesis regarding the importance of cross-border cooperation programs in implementing United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Results of the EU cross-border programme allocations and their geographical implications for border regions of Vojvodina/Serbia in the 2014-2020 programming period

Researching the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina as a region of Serbia and an European Union (EU) border region, we have long been concerned with the raison d’être of cross-border programmes, their impact, sustainability and long-term results. Against that background, the current study is focused on the results of the 2014-2020 cycle. The region of Vojvodina has neighbouring external borders with three EU Member States. While the partner countries have already applied for almost 100% of the available amounts, the implementation of projects and thus the payment of grants is only 50% effected so far. Our intention has been to examine the Vojvodina region in terms of cross-border programmes based on already completed projects and running along the lines of different Priorities. The Programme Areas of the four (Hungarian-Serbian, Croatian-Serbian, Romanian-Serbian and Serbia-Bosnia and Hercegovina) Cross-border cooperation programmes do overlap significantly. Primarily, we have been researching the territorial distribution of each, by reference to the locations of project owners and of project activities; as well as the related networking character of the projects implemented in Vojvodina in the Interreg-IPA (Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance) 2014-2020 programming period. It is then in this context that we examine the focal and connection points of the cross-border connections, in this way potentially indicating deficiencies in regard to sustainable project implementation. Without claiming to be exhaustive, we have also sought to reference impeding circumstances relating to a barrier effect that is obviously of particular importance given the fact that external borders of the EU are involved.

Home composting in remote and cross-border areas of the In.Te.Se. project

<abstract> The In.Te.Se. project - Innovation Territory and Services, for waste management in scattered areas is an Interreg V-A France Italy (ALCOTRA) project, financed within the framework of European cross-border cooperation programmes, in the Alpine region between France and Italy. On the subject of the local exploitation of organic waste, it permits the experimentation of home composting in scattered and cross-border areas in the Italian territories of the Province of Cuneo (Consorzio Servizi Ecologia e Ambiente, CSEA) and in the French areas of the PACA Region (Syndicat Mixte de Traitement des Ordures Ménagères des cantons du Guillestrois et de l'Argentièrois, SMITOMGA), through the use of individual and collective, manual and electromechanical composters. During the project it is estimated that a quantity of organic waste equal to about 2% of the not sorted waste produced in 2019 has been valorised, in 3 municipalities of CSEA and 23 municipalities followed by SMITOMGA where a separate collection circuit does not exist and it is conferred with the general unsorted waste. Overall, 31.72 tons of compost are obtained. The environmental balance deriving from the cooperation of the territories also makes it possible to estimate a negative balance of CO₂ produced, with 3212.78 kgCO₂ avoided. The economic assessment of not sending the organic component for disposal produced a saving for the two communities as a whole of €10,397.56, involving only 15% of the total population in the municipalities investigated. At the same time, a comparison with a separated collection system for the organic matter, determines the saving of €27,295.73 considering the all tested area. The implementation of this good practice has the potential to achieve interesting results from an environmental, social and economic point of view and to be extended to further portions of the territory and has demonstrated the successful choice of cross-border cooperation and the diversification of applied techniques. </abstract>

Развитие геотуризма на основе использования геонаследия (на примере Куршской косы — объекта ЮНЕСКО)

Recreation in conservation areas has compelled special attention amid international travel restrictions. The tension between the conservation and economic use of these territories is increasing. This work aims to find ways to optimise and modernise environmental outreach and recreation in national parks — one of the conservation area types. Geotourism is a sustainable form of tourism, which bridges the gap between conservation and recreation. Several objectives have been attained to fulfil this aim. Firstly, best practices of geotourism development in conservation areas have been analysed. Secondly, the resource potential for diversifying ecotourism events in conservation areas has been measured. Thirdly, an algorithm for a geological heritage-focused ecotour — an innovative recreation product aimed at eco-education and community outreach — has been designed. The authors view the methodology for geotour design as an instance of heritage preservation and propose a new tourist route — the Geological and Geomorphological Chronicle of the Baltic Sea. This tour acquaints sightseers with the nature of the Curonian Spit national park, a unique geological and geomorphological feature whose landscapes are a product of centuries-long human-nature interactions. Twenty years ago, in 2000, the conservation area was listed by UNESCO as a place of considerable natural significance. The field studies were carried out as part of the international project Ecotour4Natur: Ecotourism as a Tool for the Preservation of Natural and Cultural Heritage within the Lithuania-Russia cross-border cooperation programme 2014—2020. The obtained algorithm for ecological route design may benefit other national parks as well.

EU-Russian cross-border cooperation between (de-)securitization and paradiplomacy: In search of new approaches towards cross-border governance

For almost 30 years, cross-border cooperation between Russia and the European Union has been balancing between cooperation and control, geopolitics and paradiplomacy. In different periods of relations, the dominance of one or another logic of development is noticeable. In the “post-Crimean” period of international relations in Europe, cross-border cooperation remained one of the few spheres of interaction between Russia and the EU which showed somewhat positive dynamics, or at least had not degraded significantly. The Karelian section of the Russian state border attracted close attention from both Russian and Western researchers in the 1990s due to the rapid pace of institutionalization of cross-border cooperation. The creation of Euregio “Karelia” in 2000 and the launch of cross-border cooperation programs within the framework of the European Neighborhood Policy helped to maintain research interest. In recent years, the negative dynamics of relations between Russia and the EU has led to a noticeable decrease in the research interest to some issues of EU-Russian cross-border cooperation. At the same time, cross-border cooperation projects continue to have a positive impact on the development of border communities, and the cross-border governance system continues to develop and transform. Thus, the study of the dynamics of cross-border cooperation in the Euregio “Karelia” is still of scientific interest. It makes it possible to answer specific questions about the peculiarities of interaction between Karelia and Finland, as well as more general questions related to EU-Russian relations. Based on the analysis of discursive cooperation practices inherent to different participants of the cross-border cooperation in the Euregio “Karelia”, the article shows why positive interaction of actors is still possible, and what vector of development can be expected for the regional cooperation between Russia and the EU in the medium-term perspective.

Evolution of Russian foreign policy towards the Baltic States at the present Stage

The article gives an analysis of Russia’s foreign policy in relation to the Baltic States from 1990 to 2019. The author identifies four main stages of its evolution. It is concluded that the main problems of the Russian-Baltic dialogue are discrimination of the Russian-speaking minority, issues of historical memory, a decrease of the Russian transit and security. The relations between Russia and the Baltic states has become conflict almost after dissolution of the USSR. However, in 1990-2000-ies, Russia still tried to formulate a positive agenda for the relations with the Baltics. The main motive of its strategy was to build trust and political relations on the basis of economic cooperation and civil society. Since 1990-s Russia has been developing cross-border cooperation programs. Since late 2000-s Russia has been also developing cross-border programs with the EU. However, Russia’s hopes were not justified. Its relations with Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania have worsened since 2014 after the Ukrainian conflict. Prospects for their improvement are still unclear. The author comes to the conclusion that Russia is “tired” from the Baltic States. Despite the fact that Russia has been systematically transforming its foreign policy after the dissolution of the USSR, it has not fully achieved its goals. There is still discrimination of the Russian minority. Russia and the Baltics have not come to a single interpretation of the Second World War history. Political contradictions prevail over economic ties. Despite the growing estrangement between Russia and the Baltic States, Russia keeps developing them concentrating on trans-border and civil society cooperation. Such relations are non-political and they are focused on solving specific problems.

203 - FAMILY QUALITY OF LIFE IN NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES: EXPLORING NEEDS AND SUPPORTS IN THE CROSS-BORDER AREA SPAIN-PORTUGAL

Neurodegenerative diseases often have an impact on both patients and their family caregivers. Given that families are an important support resource for people with neurodegenerative diseases, it is important to ensure their own quality of life. This symposium aim to present the NEUROQUALYFAM project funded by Cross Border Cooperation Programme Spain–Portugal 2014–2020 (POCTEP). The main objective of this project is to improve the quality of life of family caregivers who care people with neurodegenerative disease at home through the assessment of their needs and support resources, and the subsequent design and optimization of high-quality resources and services that are family-centered.

Energy Audit of Agricultural Enterprises: New Approaches and Assessment Criteria (Following the Russian-Finnish Project Interim Outcomes)

Currently implemented project “Russian-Finnish Bioeconomy Competence Сentre – BioCom” within South-East Finland – Russia Cross-Border Cooperation Programme 2014-2020 aims to integrate the BioEconomy principles and approaches into the agricultural sector of the neighbouring border areas of Russia and Finland. The energy efficiency of farming and sustainable use of energy resources is one of the fundamentals of the bio-economy concept. The energy audit is the first step in identifying opportunities to reduce the energy inputs on the farms.(Research purpose) To discover the new approaches to the energy auditing of agricultural enterprises and new assessment indicators following the project experience.(Materials and methods) Four farms were selected for the energy inspection – two farms located in the Leningrad Region, Russia, and two farms located in the South Savo Region, Finland. In Russia the standard energy auditing, measurement, and calculation procedure was applied. The systems of electrical power supply, heat supply, water supply, sewage, and building envelopes on the farms were examined and estimated.(Results and discussion) Following the outcomes of the energy audits in the project framework and the previous relevant experience, the basic energy-saving and efficiency improvement measures were established. Three new approaches to the energy auditing of agricultural enterprises were suggested – energy and environmental assessment of applied technologies and equipment; consideration of the application of renewable energy-generating sources; consideration of the conversion of vehicles to biogas.(Conclusions) The study outcomes proved the energy audits to play an important role in improving the energy efficiency of agricultural production provided they are mandatory, take into account the energy environmental assessment criteria, consider the application of renewable energy-generating sources and the conversion of vehicles to biogas.

The influence of enclosing structures of walls on the energy efficiency of a wooden building (on the example of the international project KO 1089 “Green Arctic Building”)

As part of the implementation of the international project “Green Construction in the Arctic” (KO 1089 - GrAB) of the Kolarctic 2014-2020 cross-border cooperation program, it is planned to construct experimental buildings (“model objects”). To implement the measures included in the GrAB project, it is planned to build two identical buildings on the territory of Murmansk and Petrozavodsk. The buildings are designed for research in the field of “green” technologies and energy-efficient construction, as well as approbation of research results. Objects in Murmansk and Petrozavodsk should be identical in external architectural appearance, design solutions and materials used, which will allow us to study the effectiveness of the use of the same building materials and structures in different climatic conditions. The model object is a one-story wooden house, its size in the plan is 13x6 m. It is envisaged to use modern technologies of wooden housing construction and equipping the house with energy-efficient engineering equipment, as well as a special temperature and humidity monitoring system for research. The facility is intended for conducting research in the field of green building technologies, testing new technologies and evaluating the effectiveness of their work in the Far North (Murmansk) and adjacent territories (Petrozavodsk). Purpose of work: a comprehensive assessment of the influence of the structure of the walls of a wooden house on its energy supply.