Borderless Europe and free movement vs. territoriality and border controls : How can we build on the experience of the last decades? How can we demonstrate the importance and the achievements of cross-border cooperation?

Some of the answers were provided at the brillant conference organised by the Ludovika University of Public Service – Central European Service for Cross-Border Initiatives (CESCI) research group and Transfrontier Euro-Institut Network (TEIN) on the 13th and 14th of May 2025 in Budapest.

Recognising the (cross)-border territory as a space, as a functional area and even sometimes a living lab…
Work towards minimising the effects of borders through more cooperation and the development of adapted tools…
Promoting open-mindedness and curiosity about the Other, for example by learning their languages from an early age on or engaging citizens in the borderlands…

… help preserve and even strengthen the idea of the European Union.

Today, the mainstream vision is inward-looking, but the conference proved through inputs of research and practice that, more than ever, we need openness, listening, dialogue, cooperation and collaboration.

In times when self-centred options are becoming the rule, we need you to share this vision of defending the free movement and cooperation possibilities as inviolable achievements of the EU: please do share this message!

Many thanks to the TEIN member organising and contributing to this event!