Policy brief: Cross-border public services in Europe

This Policy Brief builds on evidence provided by an ESPON targeted analysis on cross-border public services (CPS) across Europe, which was conducted with the support of the Association of European Border Regions.

Exploring territorial patterns of cross-border public services, this overview highlights that cross-border public service (CPS) provision helps European border regions to better integrate. They address joint challenges of neighbouring border regions, and their provision aims to generate benefits for the general public or specific target groups in the border area. These services contribute to reducing negative border effects, providing better connections, raising awareness of the cross-border potential and supporting cross-border flows of people.

This policy brief is guided by the following questions:

  • Where do CPS exist along European borders?
  • What are the development potentials and future needs for CPS and what are possible access points to exploit these potentials?
  • What main policy recommendations can be derived from the analysis of CPS provision?

Based on these questions, it aims to provide arguments and inspiration for those who are engaged in developing and implementing cross-border cooperation and for the development of the EU Territorial Agenda and Cohesion Policy after 2020. It seeks to attract interest not only from policy-makers in border regions but also from national decision-makers, public and private operators of services of general interest as well as from civil society organisations.

Documents

Policy Brief: Cross-border public services

  • Acrobat Document | 3.41MB