Financial resources as determinants of cross-border cooperation intensity in Interreg V-A programs

Abstract

This study examines the key components influencing the intensity of cross-border cooperation among 56 Interreg V-A programs implemented on the EU's internal borders during the 2014-2020 period. Employing a quantitative approach combining correlation analysis and linear regression modeling, the article assesses the relationship between financial resources and indicators of cooperation intensity. The findings confirm a positive association between the financial scale of the programs and cooperation intensity, with a more pronounced effect for the network dimension (number of partnerships) compared to the initiative dimension (number of projects). The novelty of this work lies in the quantitative evaluation of the relative contribution of financial resources to various aspects of cross-border interactions, expanding the understanding of the mechanisms stimulating cooperation at EU borders.