Preview was written by Sylwia Dolzblasz
Q: What is the main purpose of your study?
A: We tried to identify similarities and differences in transborder cooperation at a number of Polish border regions and pinpoint what were the crucial local factors determining the character of cooperation.
Q: What are the practical, day to day implications of your study?
A: The study concerns transborder cooperation and how it works within regional policy set across the European Union. Our study identifies the real mechanisms of cooperation: e.g. local self-governments, scientific and cultural institutions, NGOs. We include 591 co-operation projects at 5 national borders (see map). Each of these places are very different in character. It draws attention to the need for adjusting cooperation policies to local and regional conditions.
Q: How does your study relate to other work on the subject?
A: The study fits with research on political geography and regional development. We also look specifically at how true co-operation across borders can work.
Q: What are two or three interesting findings that come from your study?
A: We show that even though the rules and institutional structures are the same, the actual character of cooperation differs among the borders. Cooperation frameworks need to be constantly adjusted as local and regional conditions change. To make cooperation work better, joint activities need to be intensified.
Q: What might be some of the theoretical implications of this study?
A: We address the real transborder effects of cooperation projects by examining a number of empirical spatial studies.
Q: How does your research help us think about Geography?
A: The research highlights the need to incorporate the spatial dimension in the regional and co-operation policies. Geographical insight helps understand complex phenomena occurring in border regions.
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