On 15 June 2025, participants from Zaporizhzhia shared their perspectives on border life, cooperation needs, and everyday challenges in cross-border communication. Their insights reflected both academic analysis and lived experience, connecting local realities with broader European and global contexts.
Living Near a Border: Opportunity or Risk?
Participant 1, a political scientist from Zaporizhzhia, described living near an international border as both an opportunity and a challenge. In peacetime, borders bring economic, educational, and cultural mobility, stimulate small business and tourism, and often accelerate infrastructure development. Yet in times of conflict, borders can quickly transform into zones of vulnerability, as seen in the Russian-Ukrainian border, which became a site of invasion and instability.
He concluded that border life is shaped by political context and border management—whether it becomes a space of opportunity or danger depends on these factors.
Participant 2 added that borders can help broaden one’s worldview, but warned that living near a militarized bordercan also mean constant uncertainty and risk.
Areas Needing Stronger Cooperation
In discussing where cooperation is most needed, both participants focused on the city of Zaporizhzhia and its immediate challenges.
Participant 1 identified four urgent areas:
- Stray animals – the need for humane treatment through sterilization programs, shelters, and public education.
- Road maintenance – poor conditions in residential zones call for transparent repair planning and public oversight.
- Public transport – the lack of night services after 9 p.m. restricts mobility; night routes or municipal shuttlescould solve this.
- Ecology – as an industrial city, Zaporizhzhia suffers from high pollution; cooperation should aim to reduce emissions, restore green areas, and promote environmental awareness.
He emphasized that these problems cannot be solved individually but require a comprehensive, cross-sectoral approachinvolving citizens, authorities, and organizations.
Participant 2 echoed these concerns, highlighting the need to reduce emissions, increase youth activities, and improve ecological and road conditions to enhance daily life.
Barriers to Cross-Border Communication
Participant 1 provided a detailed reflection on the difficulties of cross-border and transnational communication, emphasizing that challenges go far beyond language:
- Cultural differences – Ukrainians often communicate with caution and politeness, while Europeans may prefer directness, leading to misunderstandings in partnerships.
- Religious diversity – differing religious traditions (e.g., Ramadan, Shabbat, Orthodox holidays) can unintentionally affect scheduling and mutual respect.
- Language barriers – many Ukrainians, particularly in regions or older generations, struggle with English, limiting access to international programs.
- Political context – due to the ongoing war with Russia, Ukrainians often face prejudice or misunderstandingabroad, requiring extra effort to explain their national experience and identity.
- Different perceptions of civic engagement – activism and volunteering are widespread in Ukraine, especially after 2014, but seen differently in some European countries, creating value gaps in intercultural dialogue.
He concluded that true transnational communication is not just linguistic but also symbolic—an intersection of worldviews that demands empathy, patience, and shared understanding.
Participant 2 supported this point, noting that language learning is essential to overcome misunderstandings and differences in pronunciation that often confuse communication with foreigners.
A Shared Vision
The consultation in Zaporizhzhia highlighted a strong desire for cooperation, reform, and openness. Despite the city’s industrial and wartime challenges, participants saw dialogue, humane policies, and education as key tools for connecting Ukraine more deeply with Europe—not only through borders, but through shared values and mutual understanding.