Working paper: Cross-border public services in Europe

This working paper builds on evidence provided by an ESPON targeted analysis on cross-border public services (CPS) across Europe.

Exploring territorial patterns of cross-border public services, this overview highlights that CPS provision helps European border regions to better integrate. CPS 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, better connections, raising awareness of the cross-border potential and to supporting cross-border flows of people.

This working paper 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 on CPS provision?

Based on these questions, this working paper 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. This working paper 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.

In order to build up arguments and policy pointers to support the development of cross-border public services, the results of the targeted analysis undertaken by ESPON on this topic is used throughout this working paper with many case studies in diverse territories within the EU.

Documents

Working paper Cross-border services in Europe.pdf

  • Acrobat Document | 2.00MB