Development of cross-border communities and territories: current problems and ways to solve them

The article provides a comprehensive analysis of the theoretical and practical aspects of the development of cross-border communities and territories in the context of the current challenges of globalization, environmental instability, and integration processes. The key barriers hindering the effective implementation of cross-border cooperation are identified, including institutional and legal differences between neighbouring countries, infrastructure imbalances, low competitiveness of border enterprises, insufficient coordination between authorities and deepening environmental threats. It has been argued that cross-border communities can become a catalyst for inter-state integration, provided that joint strategies for socio-economic development, environmental monitoring, investment support for small and medium-sized businesses, digitalization of management processes, and harmonization of administrative services are implemented. Special attention is paid to the digital transformation of the cross-border space as a factor in increasing transparency, improving decision-making, developing human capital, and forming digital ecosystems. Successful examples from European countries (France, Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic) are analyzed, the functioning of Euroregions, which can serve as effective models for adaptation to Ukrainian realities. It is concluded that the formation of a comprehensive policy for the development of cross-border communities based on international experience will contribute to economic stability, social cohesion, and environmental security in Ukraine’s border regions. The prospects for the formation of a common cross-border space as an instrument for strengthening economic interaction, social cohesion, and environmental responsibility based on partnership between neighboring regions are considered. The importance of developing the institutional capacity of local self-government as a key factor in the effective management of cross-border processes is emphasized. Practical recommendations are proposed for integrating the cross-border component into Ukraine’s regional policy, considering the principles of sustainable development and multi-level governance. Keywords: cross-border communities, border areas, cross-border cooperation, digital transformation, Euroregions, infrastructure barriers, environmental safety, social integration, intermunicipal governance, institutional development, economic systems, community development.