Local Values in the Settlements of the Lower Ipoly (Ipel) Region in the Hungarian–Slovakian Border Zone

The primary aim of this study is to identify how residents on the Hungarian and Slovak sides of the Lower Ipoly Valley perceive the most considerable material and immaterial local values and unique resources of their settlements. The research was designed to explore and compare the territorial capital of the two sides of the study area based on three major capital types: natural, social, and economic capitals. Data collection included 254 semi-structured interviews, conducted with 136 residents on the Slovak side (14 settlements) and 118 residents on the Hungarian side (12 settlements). Detailed interview summaries were analysed with qualitative content analysis using emergent coding. This resulted in an analytical framework comprising nine value dimensions. Across both sides of the border, we examined the same nine value dimensions: local workforce, local enterprises, civil organisations and cultural groups, local and community events, local gastronomy, natural values, built heritage, holders of local knowledge, and local products. Items mentioned that related to each value dimension were counted for each dimension and normalised to a 0–10 scale. The quantified values were aggregated at the settlement level (90 points being the maximum score). The average score of each dimension was also calculated for both sides of the study area. Our findings show that the Hungarian side achieved a total score of 40.4, while the Slovak side reached 36.6, both reflecting a similarly weak–moderate state of the local capitals with minimal differences. This indicates that the two sides of the study area share comparable developmental challenges but also considerable potential for improvement. The Hungarian side performed slightly better in nearly all dimensions except local gastronomy, where the Slovak side proved stronger. The Hungarian side’s relative advantages include a higher presence of local enterprises, a richer network of civil and cultural groups, and more diverse built heritage; in other dimensions, differences are marginal. One of the most pressing regional challenges is improving employment opportunities and stimulating entrepreneurial activity, which are essential for enhancing population retention. Overall, the results indicate that the settlements possess substantial—yet largely underutilised—value assets, whose conscious and consensus-based development could form a strong foundation for creative and innovative local development. Each settlement’s value matrix includes elements that define its uniqueness, enabling the identification of numerous potential development pathways, whether through nature-based educational and recreational programmes, the utilisation of culturally considerable built heritage, the revitalisation of living traditions, or the promotion of local traditional gastronomy on both sides of the study area.