Central European Service for Cross-Border Initiatives

Central European Service for Cross-Border Initiatives (CESCI), a Regional Studies Association Corporate member,  is an association based in Hungary which aims to decrease the separating effects of the (state) borders in Central Europe. To this end, they conduct research, elaborate strategic plans, prepare and implement projects, support cross-border cooperation practitioners and take part in policy-making on national and EU levels.

The Central European Service for Cross-Border Initiatives (CESCI) was established with the mission of reducing the dividing effects of borders and promoting cross-border cooperation in Central Europe. CESCI is at the forefront of fostering cross-border collaboration in the region through a variety of impactful activities. It operates a multidisciplinary research group based in Budapest, focusing on innovative approaches to cross-border cooperation, and has played a pivotal role in preparing the Interreg A Cross-border Cooperation Programmes for Slovakia-Hungary during the 2014-2020 and 2021-2027 periods. Additionally, it contributed to the evaluation of Interreg A and ENI CBC programmes, ensuring their effectiveness and relevance.  In 2016, CESCI launched the “Legal Accessibility” initiative, a key policy effort aimed at identifying and resolving legal and administrative barriers to cross-border cooperation along Hungary and the Visegrad region. The organisation actively supports the development of cross-border projects and initiatives, driving progress and fostering collaboration in border regions.

The BorderLabs CE project, co-financed by the Interreg Central Europe Programme, was designed to enhance spatial integration of Central Europe. Thanks to EU integration, cross-border borders have been softening, but public administration and policies still do not sufficiently address the needs of cross-border communities. The project BorderLabs CE aims to change this by improving public capacities for participatory cross-border cooperation. Partners from six countries (Germany, Austria, Italy, Poland, Czech Republic and Hungary) jointly developed and piloted new governance models and solutions for the integrated development of cross-border strategies. They also investigated new approaches to participatory governance, the cross-border development of sustainable tourism, the cross-border marketing of local products, and the reduction of border obstacles. The aim is to create a network of professional planners who can design a new spatial vision for the region before the new EU enlargement with Ukraine, Moldova and the Western Balkans.

Project partners:

• Central European Service for Cross-Border Initiatives (CESCI, HU)
• Dolnoslaskie Region – Institute for Territorial Development (IRT, PL)
• Euroregion Nisa (ER Nisa, CZ)
• City of Frankfurt (Oder), (Frankfurt (O), DE)
• European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation – EGTC GO, (EGTC GO, IT)
• Ister-Granum European Grouping for Territorial Cooperation Ltd. (EGTC IG, HU)
• European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation NOVUM (EGTC NOVUM, PL)
• State Government of Upper Austria (Upper-Austria, AT)

CESCI is the communication coordinator of the BorderLabs CE project and has led the elaboration and implementation of the Charter for Participatory Cross-Border Cooperation Governance, a framework to promote inclusive and effective cross-border governance. The document addresses common challenges such as migration, security, EU enlargement and territorial development, and encourages more coordinated action among governments, policymakers and territorial development professionals.

Please read the Charter and share your feedback with the BorderLabsCE team; your comments will help shape the initiative’s next steps and develop a new territorial vision for Central Europe. The deadline for submitting feedback is 30 September 2026. To share your feedback, please visit https://tinyurl.com/52c7z76p