Beyond Eurocentrism: Rethinking Cross-Border Cooperation in a Global Context

This paper analyses the limitations of Eurocentric approaches to cross-border cooperation (CBC) studies, arguing that the European experience should not serve as a universal conceptual or practical benchmark. Globally, European CBC is more the exception than the rule, shaped by favorable conditions: strong political backing for regional integration, a democratic environment enabling cross-border interaction, legal frameworks supporting CBC institutions, and generous funding managed through efficient governance. By contrast, in most regions, CBC unfolds under political centralization, strict state control over formal and informal cross-border exchanges, limited financial resources, and a widespread informal border economy—largely overlooked in Eurocentric frameworks. Still, the EU model should not be dismissed. Among other things, it provides a toolkit from which specific elements—such as funding mechanisms, guidance on overcoming CBC obstacles, and cooperative aspects of integrated border management—can be selectively adapted to different contexts. Even authoritarian regimes may benefit from modified CBC institutions, provided they focus on a narrow set of depoliticized technical issues. Many partner states may also find value in the EU’s competitive, project-based funding model and in its technical guidelines addressing common CBC challenges.