European perspective

The paper analyses the implications of cross-border activities on patterns of integration and governance in cross-border-regions following the implementation of EU cross-border co-operation programmes and Regulation 1082/2006 (i.e. European Grouping of Territorial Co-operation). It focuses on cross-border governance between Italy and Slovenia. It investigates the impact on the governance of the border by emerging and strengthening regional actors.

First, it offers a brief theoretical background on the meaning of ‘border’ and ‘cross-border governance’ within the EU. Second, it investigates whether a type of transnational governance is emerging in cross-border regions, in which cross-border activities are empowering the regional-local level and permitting it to circumvent/supersede the national level. It will be shown that EU cross-border co-operation programmes are transforming the operation of power across the various levels of governance on a local/national/supranational level.