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    Border regions

Examples of border regions

Four border regions were selected as examples to illustrate the variety of border region realities:

This includes policies, economics, education, everyday life and much more.

This section on examples of border regions aims to 

  • provide an insight into different border regions; 
  • invite everybody to discover the opportunities and challenges related to language education in cross-border vocational education settings.
Did you know that around 30% of the EU population is living in a border region? More than 150 million people live and work in cross-border contexts – representing an important potential for professional education and training as well as for the labour market. (cf. REPORT on EU border regions: living labs of European integration)
Click on the map to find out more about a particular border region and get inspired.

The examples of border regions indicate that there are shared needs and challenges.


There are different understandings and perceptions of borders (national, historical, regional, mental, cultural, linguistic, social…).


Geographical closeness does not necessarily lead to close relationship and collaboration.


Borders can be described on a continuum between friendly and hostile (Henry Lefebvre “La production de l´espace” 1974).

An open mindset is one of the most important conditions for cross-border practices. Languages can build bridges. Borders and border regions are dynamic spaces or processes that start with us. So be part of it and cross the bridges! 

An example from Sweden