Analysis of projects for the development of productive and socially responsible infrastructure within the framework of european cross-border cooperation programs

Abstract

The article analyses projects for the development of productive and socially responsible infrastructure within the framework of European cross-border cooperation programmes between all border regions of Ukraine and the corresponding regions of neighbouring EU countries. The scientific novelty of the study lies in its systematic approach to the study of the border area as a whole, comprising all border regions of Ukraine and neighbouring EU countries. The methodological basis of the work is the comparative analysis method and the tabular method, which were used to study the results of the programmes ‘Poland-Belarus-Ukraine 2014-2020’, ‘Hungary-Slovakia-Romania-Ukraine 2014-2020’ and ‘Romania-Ukraine 2014-2020’. The authors found that the key vectors of investment were transport accessibility, public safety, healthcare and environmental remediation. In particular, Polish-Ukrainian cooperation has focused on the modernisation of logistics corridors and the digitisation of security systems, while cooperation with Hungary, Slovakia and Romania has been dominated by projects related to flood protection, energy efficiency and specialised medical care. It has been proven that participation in Interreg programmes allows for the implementation of high-cost projects that are financially burdensome for local budgets. An analysis of the participants showed the leading role of state authorities, the State Emergency Service and academic institutions in ensuring technology transfer and the implementation of European project management standards. It has been determined that the implementation of infrastructure projects contributes to the capitalisation of the geographical advantages of regions and the creation of an institutional basis for the functioning of joint ventures and clusters. The strategic priorities of the new Interreg NEXT programmes for the period up to 2027 have been analysed. A transformation of approaches has been identified: from direct construction to ensuring the sustainability of healthcare systems, adaptation to climate change and the digitalisation of services. It has been concluded that cross-border cooperation programmes are a catalyst for the institutional transformation of regional systems, transforming the border from a barrier into a tool for economic integration and social cohesion. The results of the study can be used by local authorities for strategic planning of the development of border areas in the process of preparing Ukraine for EU accession.