This is the final issue of the policy briefs elaborated by the B-Shapes project to support evidence-based policymaking and inclusive considerations for policymakers and those interested in the role of borders within the wider context of EU Cohesion policy and practice. We now present this Final PB Co-creating Policy for Borderlands: The need for an inclusive approach, summarising the policy implications of Borders Shaping Perceptions of European Societies (B-SHAPES), a Horizon Europe Research and Innovation action, elaborated with contributions from the entire project partnership as part of its WP7.
Borders Shaping Perceptions of European Societies (B-SHAPES) has analysed and assessed how borders continue to be a key factor in shaping the ways European societies are understood over a period of three years (April 2023-March 2026). Drawing on the experiences of Europeans living in border regions, B-SHAPES has examined the role of borders, especially in relation to attitudes to Europe in border regions and perceptions of national minorities in border regions, with an additional focus on the role of border landscapes as a special phenomenon of heritage and a subject of cultural (heritage) policies.
B-SHAPES has generated new insights into how borders shape perceptions of societies by collecting and analysing narratives of borderland residents. Our research has demonstrated how the story of borders can be narrated differently than from a purely nation-state-centric perspective. Through B-SHAPES’ outreach activities within and beyond border regions (e.g. summer schools, policy seminars, policy webinars and policy workshops) we have linked actors from the public sector with actors of the creative industries. This, in turn, will enable greater exposure to the diversity of European art, culture and values for a broader set of audiences.
B-SHAPES’ results support the idea of a body of practice underpinning European policy, as well as member state and subnational policy. This body of practice recognises the value of including borderlanders in policymaking and models their involvement through multilevel democratic governance and innovative participatory approaches, such as those explored in the B-SHAPES research. The project also identified gaps, including the need for standardised models for cross-border cultural heritage collaboration. These models should bridge territorial cooperation policy, environmental planning, and heritage conservation.”
Read the entire B-Shapes Final Policy Brief here
Visit our projects section to read other policy briefs, more B-Shapes publications (as long as the project is coming to its end), and other relevant aspects. You can also visit the B-Shapes website.
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[1] The Centre of Border Region Studies at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) coordinates B-SHAPES. Other partners in the consortium are: Brunel University London, Halmstad University, University of Oulu, University of Wroclaw, University of Strasbourg, ELTE University in Budapest, Technical University of Liberec in the Czech Republic, EURAC Research, the Bulgarian Museum of National History, the Lungomare artists’ collective in South Tyrol (Italy), the Association of European Border Regions (AEBR/AGEG/ARFE), KREATUS Consultancy, and the European Network Remembrance and Solidary Foundation.
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