Partnership/national study European Groupings of Territorial Cooperation (EGTCs) with French participation: 20 years on – An overview and future cross-border prospects September 2026 Twenty years after the creation of the European framework for European Groupings of Territorial Cooperation (EGTCs), the MOT has published a study focusing on EGTCs with French participation. Carried out between January and July 2026 as part of the MOT’s annual work programme, this study is based on extensive analysis and discussions with stakeholders on the ground. The full study is available in French exclusively to MOT members. An eight-page summary (in English) and forward-looking recommendations (in French) are accessible to all.
Scientific article / Dictionary “Toward Spatial visions contributing to Cross border and European cohesion” July 2025 Article by Jean Peyrony. Published in disP – The Planning Review, Vol. 61, No. 1, Taylor & Francis Group, 2025, pp. 53–62.
Position statement / Manifesto Manifesto for the Recognition and Greater Consideration of “cross-border living areas” in public policy November 2024 With this manifesto, which complements the ‘Cross-border deal’ of the Borders Forum, the MOT and its network call for a change in the way actors look at spaces crossed by a border as genuine ‘cross-border living areas’: territories linked by functional interdependence and a wealth of historical, cultural and interpersonal links, with an awareness of belonging to a common territory and a desire for cross-border territorial cohesion.
Scientific article / Dictionary Critical Dictionary on Borders, Cross-Border Cooperation and European Integration October 2020 Peter Lang, by Birte Wassenberg (Volume editor) Bernard Reitel (Volume editor) History & Political Science, Series: Border Studies, Volume 1. The "Critical Dictionary of Borders, Cross-Border Cooperation and European Integration" has just been published: a major publication that contains 209 articles written by 124 authors from different countries and academic disciplines, accompanied by 66 original maps produced by the MOT. Its aim is to answer the following questions: what is the role of borders in European integration? How does cross-border cooperation function concretely in the EU’s border regions? Does it contribute to European integration? Who are the players, and what are their motives, objectives and tools?
Partnership/national study France-Germany: cross-border observation at the heart of Europe January 2019 Under the auspices of the French General Commission for Territorial Equality (CGET) and the German Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building and Community, the MOT and the BBSR (Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development) coordinated the publication of this brochure following the signing of the Treaty of Aachen in January 2019.
Position statement / Manifesto Implementation of the European Cohesion Policy for the post-2020 period November 2017 The MOT’s position on the implementation of European cohesion policy for the post-2020 period aims to ensure that greater account is taken of the specific characteristics of cross-border regions, which account for 40% of the European Union’s territory. The MOT’s recommendations are set out in the booklet published to mark its 20th anniversary.
European study Cross-border economic development: Practical guide September 2015 In the framework of a EU project, the MOT published two handbooks aimed at project developers and stakeholders involved in cross-border economic development. A 40-page practical guide gives players methodological tools and practical advice aimed at helping them to establish partnerships and set up projects. Conducted in the framework of the Europ’Act technical assistance programme
MOT Guides N°9 – Observation of cross-border territories March 2014 European policies are still in many ways out of phase with the cross-border experience and contribute to a feeling of distance or even lack of understanding between the European Union and its citizens. It is urgent to change approach by encouraging the development of shared cross-border observation in order to obtain better knowledge and understanding of today’s territorial realities.
Partnership/national study Cadre juridique de la coopération transfrontalière : Outils juridiques au service des projets transfrontaliers [FR] December 2013 [In French only] Document en accès réservé aux membres. Ce document vise à présenter de manière synthétique les principaux outils juridiques pouvant être utilisés pour le montage de projets transfrontaliers aux frontières françaises. Il vise à aider les praticiens de la coopération dans le choix de la forme juridique la plus adaptée à leurs besoins. Ce guide contient une série de fiches qui présentent pour chaque outil : sa définition, son fondement juridique, ses champs d’utilisation, les principaux avantages et limites.
European study Methodological Guidebook : “Articulate cohesion policy, governance structures and cross-border territorial approaches” Conducted in the framework of the Europ’Act technical assistance programme, by the MOT and the DATAR. November 2012 This methodological guidebook published by the MOT with the DATAR in the framework of the project is intended to better articulate cohesion policy, governance structures and cross-border territorial approaches. Its 156 pages include a cross-cutting diagnosis of cooperation on each French border and 25 pages of recommendations.
