Culture as a Vehicle for Strengthening

Cross-border Cooperation

in South-East Europe

Persefoni Tsaliki, Ph.D.

Professor of Economics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Project Manager, Globus Cultura Intercultural Organization, AMKE

Purpose of the Presentation:

• Highlight culture’s economic, social, and environmental dimensions
• Explore how culture can enhance cross-border cooperation in Southeastern Europe
• Investigate how culture contributes to sustainable development and strengthens cross-border collaboration

Key Points:

• Culture promotes intercultural understanding, knowledge exchange, and solidarity.
• The UN 2030 Agenda highlights culture’s role in social inclusion, urban development, heritage preservation, and reduction of inequalities
• The cultural sector is a key pillar of the EU economy, supporting local and regional economic development.

The Role of Culture in Social Well-Being and Sustainability

Culture

• although not directly linked to core well-being indicators, plays a fundamental role in social well-being and society’s sustainability
• Culture For Health report states that cultural activities have a positive impact on the health and well-being of individuals and communities
• its role is widely recognized and included in the design of policies and strategies of sustainable development not only in Europe but internationally as well
• Many countries have integrated culture into their national sustainable development strategies.
• The European Commission emphasizes the need to enhance the cultural dimension of sustainable development.
• The EU Council has prioritized "Culture as a lever for sustainable development" in its “Work Plan for Culture”.

Culture as a Dynamic Tool for Development

Culture fosters collaboration by

• Mobilizing local communities for sustainable development and environmental protection.
• Strengthening tourism through cultural programs and exchanges.
• Supporting local economies, creating jobs, and promoting entrepreneurship in the cultural industry.

Economic Benefits

• Reduces seasonality and creates job opportunities
• Strengthens local economies and promotes local products
• Increases revenue for municipalities, improving infrastructure
• Expands international markets

The Role of Culture in Cross-Border Cooperation

Culture

• bridges ethnicities, religions, and traditions
• fosters understanding and peaceful coexistence
• promotes collaboration and shared goals in areas with historical and political challenges
• encourages collaboration between different ethnic and social groups
• strengthens cultural interaction and create opportunities
• cross-border cooperation contributes to both social inclusion and economic development
• Cultural tourism helps create cross-border cultural routes and boosts the economy.
• Common educational initiatives promote a shared cultural space and cooperation among youth.

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In Southeastern Europe cross-border cultural exchanges may:

• strengthen social relations and create new perspectives
• play a key role in building a stable, cohesive, and supportive regional framework for social and economic sustainability

Cooperation Initiatives through Culture

City Twinning

• promotes cooperation and mutual understanding between cities with different cultural and geopolitical characteristics
• facilitates exchanges in cultural, educational, and economic sectors
• enhances local development and social cohesion
• strengthens political integration and cross-border cooperation,
• enhances intercultural understanding
• 76% of Greek city collaborations (2006-2016) focused on culture

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Development of Cultural Networks

• Cross-border cultural networks enhance cooperation and enable joint actions.
• Example: Danube Cultural Cluster fosters cultural synergies and promotes cross-border exchange in the Danube region.
• The network strengthens cultural capacities through innovative projects.

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Promotion of Cultural Exchanges

• Cultural exchanges, including artist mobility, educational programs, and joint initiatives, foster mutual understanding and professional development in the cultural sector

The Role of Cross-Border Collaborations

Strengthening cultural exchanges through cross-border cooperation is key to promoting intercultural understanding and professional growth.

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Danube Small Project Fund for Culture (DSPF)

• A notable example of such a mechanism is the Danube Small Project Fund for Culture (DSPF), developed under the transnational project CultPlatForm_21.
• An innovative funding platform supporting small-scale collaborative projects in the arts and culture sector within the Danube region.
• Provides accessible funding for projects fostering cross-border collaboration, creativity, and innovation with minimal administrative barriers.

Development of Cultural Tourism and Digital Cultural Development

Cultural Tourism

synergies between tourism, culture, and creativity

• CREATURES project (2020-2023) developed sustainable tourism routes highlighting cultural heritage
• HIKE project (2024) promotes healthy lifestyles through hiking on cultural routes across Turkey, Greece, and Italy

Erasmus+ funded | Recognized as Best Practice by Interreg Europe

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Digital Cultural Development

• New technologies expand access to culture and enable remote participation
• Digital Cultural Mapping helps strengthen cultural management and cooperation, enhancing strategic planning and resource utilization

Long-Term Success of Cultural Collaborations

The success of cultural synergies depends on the following values:

• Participation & Representation: Involve all relevant stakeholders and ensure democratic decision-making.
• Adaptation to Local Specificities: Highlight local identity and cultural characteristics.
• Promotion of Social Cohesion: Strengthen intercultural understanding and social integration.
• Address Contemporary Challenges: Integrate innovative solutions like digital technologies and new art forms.
• Tackle Social Inequalities: Offer equal opportunities for participation in cultural activities.
• Promote Sustainable Development: Ensure cultural activities respect the environment and contribute to sustainability.

Key Challenges in Cross-Border Cultural Cooperation

• Language and cultural barriers
• Limited resources and funding
• Administrative and institutional obstacles
• Different priorities among partners
• Limited local community involvement

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Strategic planning should ensure:

• Collaboration between Cultural and Developmental Entities
• Connecting Culture and Tourism
• Integrating Cultural and Economic Strategies
• Creating Cultural Business Networks
• Supporting Small Businesses and Local Production
• Education and Capacity Building through Programs
• Developing Partnerships for Social Cohesion & Sustainable Development
• Securing Funding and Support. Utilizing European funds (e.g., Interreg, Creative Europe, Erasmus+) is key to overcoming these challenges

Cross-border cultural cooperation is a fundamental tool for promoting not only mutual understanding but also innovation in the field of sustainable development.

Through this, local communities can shape new models of sustainable cultural policy,

strengthening both social cohesion and economic resilience.

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Culture, as a living organism, fosters co-creation and innovation, creates opportunities for new forms of

collaboration and development

in an ever-changing world

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Thank you for your time

and

patience