Resilient Borders

A European Project for border regions

Cross-Border Crisis Management and Spatial Planning Pilot Actions

is an initiative aimed at supporting border regions to become more resilient together with the neighbouring region.

Through joint plans that span across national borders, border regions can increase their preparedness to face potential crises, and develop more efficient infrastructures and services on their territories.

To help border regions be more resilient in the future, the European Commission has envisioned two main goals:
  • develop crisis management plans that go beyond national borders in EU cross-border regions;
  • boost the potential of border regions through joint spatial planning and multi-governance.
The Association of European Border Regions (AEBR) and the Mission Opérationnelle Transfrontalière (MOT) will offer financial support for joint spatial planning and cross-border crisis management plans.
Actors in border regions can receive specific funds to develop pilot actions setting up a joint plan for cross-border spatial planning or crisis management.
The action is promoted by the European Commission in the framework of the European Parliament’s pilot project ‘Cross/Border Crisis Response Integrated Initiative’ (CB-CRII).

The COVID-19 pandemic showed the need for coordinated policy approaches in the European Union, especially in border regions. Climate adaptation efforts, climate crisis-related events and territorial development also point to the importance of joint actions across border regions. 

Together, we can enhance resilience in cross-border regions.

Cross-Border Crisis Management

When a crisis affects a border region, its consequences will spread beyond the national borders: pollution, illnesses, and disasters impact the whole territory that nears the affected area. 
Crisis management – including prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery – is more effective if planned for jointly, covering the whole territory and involving actors from the whole cross-border region. A coordinated plan helps prevent and reduce the effects of crisis situations. 
Crises include: 
  • meteorological and hydrological crisis such as floods, tsunami, droughts;
  • geohazards like natural disasters or forest fires;
  • biological crises including epidemics/pandemics and animal and plant diseases;
  • technological crises: disruption of critical infrastructures, nuclear and radiological accidents;
  • societal crises such as mass displacements of people (migration), terrorism, security issues, cyber threats.

The management of crises in a cross-border territory is successful when it’s based on common plans that coordinate the joint administration of situations of crisis.
Cooperation between the competent authorities at local, regional and national level from both sides of the national borders can help set up procedures, strategies or agreements that facilitate execution in cases of emergency.

See examples

Cross-Border Spatial Planning

Border regions that plan territorial development together with their neighbouring regions can offer better access to services and build infrastructure more efficiently.
Cross-border spatial planning allows for an effective use of resources and promotes the integration of territories. As a results, cross-border spatial planning and governance help territories meet the needs of their citizens, public administrations and businesses.

Spatial planning includes:

  • the development of cross-border public services
  • reinforcing cross-border governance and ensuring its monitoring and evaluation
  • joint public funding and investment
  • sharing and providing information
  • promoting durable commitment to and decision making and support for cross-border cooperation
  • establishing cross-border networks and enhancing the visibility and appeal of the cross-border region
  • adopting and implementing strategic planning documents

Cross-border spatial planning benefits border regions by creating coherent and cohesive territories which are enabled to cooperate on relevant issues, from building necessary living areas and infrastructures to responding to common challenges more effectively.

Border regions that share a joint spatial planning development are integrated areas: competent authorities coordinate actions, and possibly include a common institution for the whole territory.

See examples

The present resilient borders project is jointly coordinated by AEBR and MOT.

The Association of European Border Regions (AEBR) works on behalf of European border and cross-border regions with the aim to:
  • highlight their role in the political landscape;
  • represent their common interests;
  •  enhance cooperation between border regions;
  • promote exchange of experiences, information and solutions to common obstacles.
Founded in 1971, AEBR counts about 100 members in Europe and on other continents, helping local and regional authorities best utilise their opportunities for development through cross-border cooperation.
 
Through its many projects and initiatives, AEBR acts as a fundamental platform to promote and advise local, regional, national and European policymakers on cross-border cooperation-related issues.
The Mission Opérationelle Transfrontalière (MOT) is an association with a network of over 90 members representing local, regional and national authorities as well as cross-border structures, associations, networks, chamber of commerce and States. Through its network, MOT facilitates structured dialogue between national and European authorities and local and regional players. 
 
MOT’s mission is to assist project developers to promote the interests of cross-border territories and to facilitate the networking of players and the sharing of experiences. It acts as the interface between the different stakeholders in order to find cross-border solutions at the right levels. It offers:
• technical engineering at the service of (cross-)border territories;
• a resource center and a networking platform;
• the promotion of cross-border issues.