The Joint Research Centre (JRC), the European Commission’s science and knowledge service organised a workshop, titled: Measurement of the flows across the internal borders of the European Union. The event took place in Ispra, Italy from 15th May to 16th May of 2025. The aim of the workshop was twofold: to take stock of existing data and to brainstorm on new ways to collect data at low cost. Our association was represented by Viktória Jánosi, senior GIS expert, who provided an overview of the state of data on cross-border flows in Central Europe. 

The workshop brought together more than 20 experts from public administrations to academia working on the collection of data on cross-border flows of people and goods, as well as experts from the field of AI geosciences. The aim of the workshop was to provide an overview of the availability of data on cross-border flows, to organise a structured discussion between academics and practitioners in the topic and to catalyse a brainstorming on new methods to collect data on cross-border flows of people and goods.

The welcome speeches were given by the two leaders of the workshop organizer associations. Lewis Dijkstra spoke on behalf of the JRC, and Ricardo Ferreira spoke on behalf of DG Regio. Matteo Berzi and Benedikt Hermann from JRC presented about the background and the objectives of the workshop to the participating experts.

Over the two days, there were presentations about projects, initiatives and activities that we were already familiar with, as CESCI is involved in most of them at various levels. These included the ESPON CrossGov project, the BBSR’s Cross-Border Monitoring Network, the subgroup led by Eurostat, the study on cross-border data collection, and the project led by the University of Victoria. Several big data experts and analysts were also present, who gave very interesting presentations on examples and possibilities of big data analysis related to movements.

As a follow up the participants agreed on writing a joint Science for Policy Report which forms the basis of a shorter academic paper, with all of the participants as co-authors. We would submit the paper to a special issue of the European Planning Studies journal on “Resilient Cross-Border Regions in Post-Covid Fencing Times”. 

Furthermore, participants confirmed that there is a strong need for data on cross-border flows across Europe and therefore expressed their common intention to continue the professional contacts and cooperation that have been established.