Cross-border regions in Europe - Significance and drivers of regional cross-border co-operation

The 1990s have seen a strong surge in the number\nof cross-border regions all over Western and\nEastern Europe. The article analyses the emergence\nof these local cross-border institutions in public\ngovernance by addressing their context, dimensions\nand causal underpinnings. First, it offers a brief\nbackground on the history of cross-border regions\nin Europe and related EU policies to support them.\nSecond, it provides a conceptual definition of crossborder\nregions and their various forms and positions\nwithin the wider context of other transnational\nregional networks. Third, it analyses the empirical\ndimensions of European cross-border regions,\nincluding their frequency, geographic distribution and\ndevelopment over time. It concludes by linking\ncross-border regions and their various forms to\ninstitutional conditions in specific countries as well\nas the effects of European regional policy. It is argued\nthat small-scale cross-border regions have flourished\nin particular because of their increasingly relevant\nrole as implementation units for European regional\npolicy in a context of multi-level governance.