MinBorderscapes

The research project MinBorderscapes examines local and regional cross-border cooperation with a focus on border areas with minority identities. Furthermore, it analyses European policies to promote cross-border cooperation and conceptualises these EU policies and the cooperation on the ground as two phases of a policy cycle, namely policy formulation and policy implementation.

The project illustrates that minority-related aspects are a compelling perspective to be considered within the multidisciplinary field of border studies. Minority studies can well complement research on borders and border spaces by focusing on localness rather than state-centeredness and by providing a better understanding of contextual conditions in border regions. This can enrich the conceptual and theoretical foundations as well as the empirical work in border and minority studies.

In addition, the project adds the perspective of minority research to studies on EU cohesion policy and cross-border cooperation instruments, thereby enriching the debate on the future territorial vision of Europe and the concept of territorial and social cohesion. Research on minority-related multiethnic and multicultural realities of border regions can provide important insights for the debate on how to strengthen social and territorial cohesion in Europe.

Theoretically and conceptually, the project builds on several strands. The analysis of policy formulation and policy change at the European level is based on theories and concepts of integration and policy-making. The research on cooperation in border regions draws on theories and concepts developed in the field of border studies, especially institutionalist and governance-related approaches.

Methodologically, the project applies qualitative approaches with different research designs. It combines comparative approaches of different cross-border regions as well as single case studies. The project uses primary empirical data (gathered through expert interviews, document analysis, etc.) and secondary empirical data (eg. EGTC minoring reports by the Committee of the Regions, Eurobarometer data etc.).

Finally, the project also includes some applied research activities carried out on behalf of the European Region Tyrol-South Tyrol-Trentino. This applied research aims at identifying success factors of cross-border cooperation projects along the Italian-Austrian border as well as the role of local authorities in cross-border governance in the Italian-Austrian border area.