Cross-border cooperation (CBC) initiatives first emerged in the 1950s in Northern Europe, particularly in the Rhine Basin. Since the 1990s, the European Union (EU) has formally embraced and supported these initiatives as part of its broader integration strategy.

The main objective of CBC programmes is to foster balanced development in border regions—whether between EU member states, between member states and neighbouring third countries, or among different EU regions. These programmes play a vital role in the EU’s Cohesion Policy, European Neighbourhood Policy, and Enlargement Policy.

By encouraging collaboration and mutual understanding, CBC initiatives contribute to the social and economic development of border areas and promote stronger ties between diverse communities and cultures across Europe.