Collecting solid evidence to assess the needs to be addressed by Interreg cross-border cooperation programmes : executive summary

This study identifies the main obstacles and potential (needs) for development and growth in cross-border regions. The most significant needs, which are suitable and affordable for Interreg programmes, are mapped through a set of indicators built-up at a territorial NUTS3 level. The database reports 25 indicators, which allow for comparisons between the 62 border regions, of which 45 are land and 17 are maritime border regions. The obstacles covered by the study are socio-economic, physical, cultural and related to normative and institutional barriers. The potential for growth is linked to competitiveness, market integration, the presence of social and human capital, the delivery of public-services in urban areas and the management of natural resources. The most relevant needs, i.e. those with a high impact on social, economic and territorial cohesion, should be given priority at territorial level by public interventions. Furthermore, the study recommends that new cross-border indicators be developed, that are not available at the moment but would be useful to quantify the needs in a mid-term outline.