Annual Meeting of the European Network for Cross-Border Monitoring in Paris
On 5–6 February 2026, the French National Agency for Territorial Cohesion (ANCT) hosted the 5th annual meeting of the European Network for Cross-Border Monitoring in Paris. Organised by the Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development (BBSR) and the French Mission Opérationnelle Transfrontalière (MOT), the two-day event brought together experts and observatories to discuss the latest advancements in cross-border statistics, data collection, monitoring platforms, and their role in territorial policy-making. Our association was represented by Viktória Borsos, senior GIS expert, who gave an overview of CESCI, its achievements over the past year, and its future plans.
2026-02-19/by Ocskay LillaPlanning, institutionalization, implementation: CESCI at the V4-Ukraine CBC closing conference
On February 5-6, 2026, the University of Uzhhorod hosted the closing event of a project examining the best practices and institutional conditions for cross-border cooperation (CBC) between the Visegrad Four and Ukraine. The two-day event was both a professional forum and a “policy lab”: on the first day, the project’s research results and practical examples were presented, and on the second day, participants discussed policy recommendations targeting national, regional, and local actors. CESCI, represented on site by Gyula Ocskay and Roland Hesz, participated in the event as experts and as the Hungarian partner in the international project supported by the Visegrad Fund: the aim of the joint work was to draw institutional and implementation lessons from the V4 experiences that could be adapted for Ukraine.
2026-02-18/by Benczi MelindaThe third newsletter of the BorderLabs CE project has been published
This newsletter summarizes the latest news and events of the BorderLabs CE project, presenting the results of cross-border cooperation in Central Europe, pilot experiences, and upcoming programs.
2026-02-03/by Benczi MelindaReport from the B-SHAPES Winter School in Halmstad
From 28 to 31 January 2026, the B-SHAPES Winter School “Inclusive Policy-Making in European Borderlands – Culture, Landscape and Minorities” brought together a small group of early-career and practitioner participants at Halmstad University in Sweden. The Winter School was designed as an intensive, discussion-oriented programme focusing on how borderland contexts shape policy processes and governance, and on how cultural heritage, landscape, and minority perspectives can be better integrated into inclusive territorial development. The interest was very high: from around 120 applicants the organisers had to select the chosen 17 participants. CESCI was represented by Melinda Istenes-Benczi.
2026-02-02/by Benczi MelindaAdvancing Cross-Border Trade for Local Producers
On 2 February, Ister Granum EGTC held its 3rd Regional Stakeholder Group (RSG) meeting in Štúrovo, bringing together key actors involved in supporting the cross-border sale of local products.
2026-02-02/by Benczi MelindaCross-Border Forestry Dialogue held in Bad Leonfelden
Representatives from Austrian and Czech forestry, veterinary, emergency and administrative authorities met to strengthen cross-border cooperation along the Upper Austrian–South Bohemian border. The meeting highlighted that cooperation already works well in some regions, while in others—particularly in the Freistadt district—clear contacts and responsibilities are still missing.
2026-01-31/by Benczi MelindaReport on the third Art of Cooperation conference
The third edition of the Art of Cooperation Conference took place in Budapest on 2-3 December 2025. The event organised by the Széchenyi Programme Office (SZPO) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary brought together more than 150 participants - representing 15 Member States, and national authorities of 18 Interreg Programmes - for an intensive professional exchange. The ArtCo2025 Conference focused on “Shaping Interreg Post 2027”.
2025-12-17/by Ocskay LillaThe ITEM report on the Schengen Borders Code, also edited by the LUPS-CESCI Research Workshop, has been published
The case study of the Hungarian-Austrian border section by the LUPS–CESCI Research Group on Cross-Border Cooperation has been published in a joint volume of ITEM and TEIN. The study, titled “The revised Schengen Borders Code – an ex-post evaluation in times of border controls”, examines the effects of internal border controls in European border regions.
2025-12-11/by Benczi MelindaMeeting with the Cross-Border Regional Observatories
The Joint Research Centre (JRC), the European Commission’s science and knowledge service organised a Meeting with Cross-Border Regional Observatories. The event took place in Brussels from the 27th and 28th November of 2025.
2025-12-10/by Ocskay LillaHonlapunk a Külgazdasági és Külügyminisztérium támogatásával készült.
