The European Cross-Border Platform (ECBP) met in Brussels

June 2026

On 10 and 11 June, the annual meeting of the European Cross-Border Platform (ECBP) took place in Brussels. This year’s event, co-organised by the Central European Service for Cross-border Initiatives (CESCI) and the European Committee of the Regions, brought together numerous experts, practitioners and institutional representatives to discuss current issues relating to cross-border cooperation and European territorial cohesion.

The first day began with two parallel sessions focusing on key themes. The first marked the conclusion of the Cross-Border Data Collection project, which is dedicated to improving the collection and use of cross-border data. The second focused on spatial vision and governance in Central Europe through the BorderLabs CE project. These discussions highlighted the obstacles that remain in border regions and the developments that will help to further strengthen European integration.

The afternoon was devoted to the role and functioning of European Groupings of Territorial Cooperation (EGTCs). Several round-table discussions provided an opportunity to share experiences and discuss the future prospects of these bodies. On this occasion, the MOT presented the findings of its ‘Flash Study: 20 years of EGTCs on France’s borders’.

A round-table discussion on the Schengen Area, hosted by the MOT

The following day, 11 June, three consecutive panel discussions, chaired respectively by the Association of European Border Regions (AEBR), CESCI and MOT, addressed the key issues that will shape the future of cross-border cooperation. Discussions focused in particular on future European programming post-2027, the role of networks and data in supporting territorial cooperation, and the prospects for cooperation within the Schengen area.

This final panel, chaired by Jean Peyrony, Director-General of the MOT, provided an opportunity for dialogue between DG HOME – which outlined the issues surrounding the update to the Schengen Code relating to “cross-border regions” and the obligations of Member States in this regard in the context of border controls – the ITEM Institute, which outlined the conclusions of its study on this subject (in which the MOT had participated), the French Ministry of the Interior, and representatives of the cross-border regions (NAEN and the IT-CH border).

Launch of a working group

The ECBP event concluded with the launch of a working group dedicated to the status of cross-border workers, involving the EGTCs, and with the announcement of the ECBP’s next meeting.

Announcement of the Borders Forum 2027

The ECBP’s next annual event will be co-organised by the MOT and the European Committee of the Regions in the second half of 2027, in conjunction with the MOT’s Borders Forum 2027.