Patterns of Cooperation Formation in a Cross-Border Context on the Example of Poland's Cross-Border Regions

Abstract

Cross-border regions exhibit distinct characteristics in the development of cooperative relations, influenced by international and national conditions at central, regional, and local levels. Borders act as barriers in spatial, administrative, economic, and socio-cultural areas. This makes cooperation necessary. This study aims to identify patterns of cooperation formation among local and regional government units engaged in establishing cross-border consortia under Interreg programmes (2007–2013 and 2014–2020) and in continuing cooperation afterwards.

The study is based on 24 in-depth interviews with local and regional government units along Poland’s land borders (Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Lithuania) and its external borders (Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia). The research was conducted between 2023 and 2024.

The key elements shaping cooperation patterns are previous collaboration, strategies for forming project consortia under Interreg, and the continuation or discontinuation of cooperation after project completion. The selection of such strategies, as well as the choices to continue or discontinue cooperation, was shaped by factors identified during data analysis.

The research identified several recurring patterns of cooperation formation among groups of units: those with a history of intensive cooperation rooted in mutual trust, those with prior cooperation but lacking strong mutual relationships, and those with no previous cooperation experience. Although various patterns are possible, these three types were observed most frequently.