Sail of Papenburg 2026: Recognising Excellence in Cross-Border Employment

2 November 2026

AEBR has awarded the Sail of Papenburg 2026 to the Euroregion Nouvelle-Aquitaine Euskadi Navarre for its Strategy for Cross-Border Employment, developed through the INTERREG POCTEFA AFOMEF LANEAN project. A Special Mention was also awarded to the Greater Region for its innovative cross-border chatbot developed by Frontaliers Grand Est.

The awards were presented on 29 October 2026, during the AEBR Annual Conference 2026 in Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan, Ireland, hosted in association with East Border Region (EBR).

The Sail of Papenburg is AEBR’s award recognising outstanding achievements in European cross-border cooperation. It celebrates initiatives that demonstrate the value of collaboration across national borders and contribute to addressing shared challenges in border regions.

This year’s awardees highlight two important dimensions of cross-border cooperation: facilitating access to employment opportunities and improving access to information and services for people living and working across borders.

Sail of Papenburg 2026: Strengthening Cross-Border Employment

The Sail of Papenburg 2026 was awarded to the Euroregion Nouvelle-Aquitaine Euskadi Navarre for its project:

“Strategy for Cross-Border Employment in the NAEN Euroregion – INTERREG POCTEFA AFOMEF LANEAN Project” (link)

The initiative focuses on strengthening cross-border employment cooperation between Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Euskadi (Basque Country), and Navarre. By promoting a coordinated approach to cross-border employment, the project seeks to address barriers affecting workers and employers, facilitate access to employment opportunities, and strengthen cooperation between stakeholders on both sides of the borders. The initiative demonstrates how cross-border regions can work together to develop practical solutions to shared labour market challenges, contributing to greater economic integration and improved opportunities for their residents and businesses.

The project is supported through Interreg POCTEFA, the European territorial cooperation programme promoting sustainable development in the border area between Spain, France, and Andorra.

Special Mention: Innovative Digital Solutions for Cross-Border Citizens

A Special Mention for achievements in European cross-border cooperation was awarded to the assocation Frontaliers Grand Est for the project:

“Cross-border chatbot” (link)

The initiative, developed by Frontaliers Grand Est, illustrates how innovative digital tools can help citizens navigate the complexities of everyday life in cross-border regions. The chatbot aims to facilitate access to information relevant to cross-border mobility, particularly for people living in one country and working in another. By making information more accessible, the initiative contributes to addressing practical challenges faced by cross-border workers and citizens. The project reflects the importance of digital innovation in improving cross-border public services and facilitating mobility within European border regions.

This project was was supported and co-financed by the Greater Region, which brings together territories from Germany, France, Luxembourg, and Belgium, representing one of Europe’s most significant areas of cross-border mobility and cooperation.

The two recognised initiatives demonstrate how cross-border cooperation can deliver tangible benefits for citizens, businesses, and communities. From developing coordinated employment strategies to facilitating access to information through digital solutions, both projects address practical challenges that arise from living and working across national borders. They also highlight the important role of Euroregions, cross-border structures, and regional partnerships in identifying common needs and developing innovative responses.

AEBR warmly congratulates the Euroregion Nouvelle-Aquitaine Euskadi Navarre and the Assocaition Frontaliers Grand Est on their achievements. Their projects provide valuable examples of how cooperation across borders can translate into concrete solutions that improve people’s daily lives in border regions.

Through the Sail of Papenburg Award, AEBR continues to recognise and promote successful cross-border initiatives, encouraging the exchange of experiences and good practices among European border regions.

Congratulations to both awardees for their commitment to advancing European cross-border cooperation!

Presentation of the Sail of Papenburg 2026 during the AEBR Annual Conference in Carrickmacross, Ireland, on 29 October 2026.

Special Mention of the Sail of Papenburg 2026 awarded to Frontaliers Grand Est (M. Zingraff, Greater Region, accepting the award on behalf of Frontaliers Grand Est during the AEBR Annual Conference).