B-SHAPES is about policy improvement. Our research feeds into policy recommendations for policymakers (not only) in border regions, as well as policymakers for border regions. The Policy Briefs are based on the results of our work packages, adapted to general use in European border regions.
Seeing Europe from the Border: Research and Policy Insights on European Borderlands
This book, edited by Sara Svensson, Joanna Kurowska-Pysz and Martin Guillermo Ramirez, is available in print from Halmstad University Press, and online. In this edited volume perspectives on Europe are presented as seen from the borderlands. Landscapes, people and organizations at national borders constitute borderlands that differ from the national heartlands in respects that are both predictable and unpredictable. The collection of short essays captures some of the many ways seeing from the borderlands shapes how to think about Europe and how to plan and make policies that make sense for all.
Co-creating policy for borderlands: the need for an inclusive approach
This policy brief summarizes B-SHAPES policy recommendations to policymakers and other stakeholders in European borderlands. Our results support the idea of a body of practice underpinning European policy, as well as member state and subnational policy. This body of practice recognizes the value of including borderlanders in policymaking and models their involvement through multilevel democratic governance, as well as through innovative participatory approaches such as those explored in the B-SHAPES research. The project also identified gaps, including the need for standardized models for cross-border cultural heritage collaboration. These models should bridge territorial cooperation policy, environmental planning, and heritage conservation. Download here
Complete list over our Policy Briefs:
1. The effects of COVID-19 border closures on commuters, families, and students, illustrates the impact of the border closures during the pandemic on cross-border life, touching many aspects of disruption beyond cross-border commuting and -shopping.
2. The role of minority media in shaping narratives on borders and Europe, which focuses on the special situation of borderlands populated by national minorities.
3. Recognition of border landscapes as shared heritage is the central objective of B-SHAPES' work package five. Border landscapes have been mythologized and are an important aspect of national narratives.
4. Cultural and cultural heritage policies affecting borderlands, shows how to re-focus on border landscapes as shared heritage to foster cross-border understanding and cooperation.
5. Borders, border regions and Europe – interim policy recommendations gives an overview of how border related policies can be improved already now. It has been the base for our discussions with policy makers in summer and autumn 2025.
6. Borderlands in transformative times: policy explorations summarises policy-relevant observations and recommendations from a dialogue with policymakers.
7. Eastern borderlands in transformative times: policy explorations presents the outcome of a policy seminar held in order to test and validate the relevance of policy scenarios outside the case study areas included in the B-Shapes region, especially with relation to the volatile geopolitical situation at the European Union’s eastern
Border.
8. Cross-border cooperation for border heritage management aims at presenting useful findings and advice on the effective management of borderland heritage through cross-border cooperation.
9. Leavin no-one behind in research policy is based on the B-SHAPES research experience and reflects on how borderland identities frequently cross standard demographic criteria, arguing for more nuanced and less pre-designed approaches to recuit research participants in European research projects.
10. European borderlands, borders and minorities highlights how minority youth experience borders and the European Union and provides recommendations to EU policymakers and EU officials
11. Border landscapes as people's heritage reflects over how border landscapes contribute to borderland heritage and borderlanders' identity. A key finding is that there should be a stronger focus on including borderlanders in cross-border heritage preservation and development.
12. Cooperation and inclusion on troubled borders: Greece-Bulgaria-Türkiye is based on our research in this triangular border region with a post-cold war border and an external EU border. Despite geopolitical difficulties as well as Greek non-recognition of the Turkish Muslim minority as national minority, local actors should be encouraged to cooperate and exploit the potential of the region.