Identification and Assessment of Barriers to the Development of Cross-Border Cooperation

This paper concerns barriers hindering the development of cross-border network cooperation in areas directly adjacent to the border, i.e. in the cities of Cieszyn and Czech Cieszyn. These two local self governments cooperate in the framework of a cross-border alliance aimed to solve spatial development problems and sustainable development of the borderland, and try to include other organizations from both border cities in this cooperation. However, this process is hindered by various barriers that reduce the effectiveness and development of cross-border cooperation. In the paper, these barriers as well as actions which limit their impact, taking into account the development stage of the cross-border alliance in which these barriers occur, have been identified. Research studies and empirical studies - qualitative research, i.e. a diagnostic survey and a case study, were used to solve the research problem. The research covered entities and institutions from the cities of Cieszyn and Czech Cieszyn, which develop Polish-Czech cross-border cooperation as part of the surveyed alliance or benefit from the effects of this alliance on both sides of the border. As a research result 16 barriers potentially hinder the development of cross-border network cooperation have been identified and three stages of the development of the cross-border alliance of Cieszyn and Czech Cieszyn have been distinguished. The research has showed the cross-border alliance as a primary, bilateral form of cooperation depends on many formal limitations. The majority of barriers occur at the first stage of cooperation. The development of the alliance in the form of individual projects has confirmed the further impact of some barriers that emerged at the first stage. In practice, it is not possible to eliminate all barriers hindering the development of cross-border cooperation; however, a significant reduction in their impact may notably increase the opportunity for the development of cross-border cooperation based on the developed cross-border alliance. Reducing the impact of barriers is possible primarily with regard to barriers affecting the partners themselves, which they have a relatively higher impact than in the case of barriers originating from the cross border environment.