Policy and tools

48 ‘border profiles’ published by ESPON to shed light on cross-border dynamics

April 2026

Since 2023, the European Commission’s (DG REGIO) work on the future of territorial cooperation and Interreg programmes has emphasised the need to consolidate knowledge regarding border regions. It is within this context that the COREIB project, led by the ESPON programme, is situated. Launched in January 2025, the project aimed to collect, harmonise and analyse data covering all European cross-border areas, including France’s borders. It concluded in early April with the publication of 48 border profiles.

48 border profiles

Each ‘profile’ provides a quantitative analysis and visual tools to better understand the dynamics, strengths and challenges specific to each border. Structured around six main themes (territorial, economic, environmental, socio-economic, border security and governance), this work aims to provide a solid analytical basis to inform strategic discussions on the future of cross-border cooperation, whether at European, national or regional level, and to support and guide the preparation of post-2027 Interreg programmes.

KEY DOCUMENTS/WEBSITES

More info - All the border profiles

The challenge of co-development that needs to be taken into account at certain borders

In the same perspective, the “Manifesto for the Balanced Economic Development of Cross-Border Regions” recently published by the MOT sheds further light on France’s borders, highlighting the imbalances characteristic of some of them and calling for the implementation of cross-border co-development strategies.