The CESCI (Central European Service for Cross-Border Initiatives) is an association that was set up in December 2009 in Hungary and modelled on the MOT, which is one of its founding members. The two structures maintain a privileged partnership, notably through the Budapest Platform.

The CESCI: “a transfrontier mission in Hungary”

The CESCI is an instrument of technical assistance at the service of Hungarian border authorities and cross-border structures. It networks them and provides a channel for communicating information on border obstacles from local level to national level. Established in 2009, the CESCI is based on the example of the MOT, which is providing its know-how and is one of the founding members.

At national level there is a secretariat of State responsible for cross-border cooperation, an interministerial committee for cross-border cooperation and a national development agency (responsible for managing European funding).

The objectives of the CESCI

• Professional support for cross-border cooperation along Hungary’s borders and in several other central and south-eastern European countries
• Networking of Euroregions, EGTCs and local and regional authorities involved in cross-border cooperatio
• Promotion in the East of good examples initiated in Western Europe
• Establishment of strategic cooperation with the European decision-making organizations and with similar networks in Northern and Western Europe
• Strengthening of internal cohesion within the region by establishing partnerships between the countries of central and southern Europe.