On 26 May 2025, Romanian students participated in a consultation exploring the advantages and challenges of living near a border, focusing on cooperation, local development, and youth engagement. This session reflected a notably optimistic tone, with most participants viewing borders as spaces of opportunity rather than limitation.
This time, the group leaned more toward seeing borders as an opportunity. They emphasized the access to diverse job markets, cultural enrichment, and the chance to learn new languages. However, some participants pointed out persistent disadvantages such as uneven internet coverage, differences in healthcare quality, and a sense of political neglect in border regions that often feel left behind in national decision-making.
When discussing key priorities for cooperation, the group placed strong emphasis on economic development, particularly job creation and support for local businesses. They also mentioned transport infrastructure, including bridges and ferries, as vital for cross-border connection. Other priorities included collaboration in healthcare, especially during pandemics, and youth engagement through joint events and sports programs that strengthen interpersonal and cultural ties.
Participants highlighted successful examples such as the Interreg IPA CBC Romania–Serbia and the Hungary–Romania Cross-border Co-operation Programme. These were appreciated for their impact on cross-border mobility, cultural exchange, and joint business initiatives. One student mentioned a renewable energy cooperation project, which raised awareness about sustainability and the importance of shared responsibility for the environment.
Several challenges were also identified. Students noted the unpredictability of rules and regulations, where what is accepted in one country may not be recognized in another. A common frustration was that school diplomas and training certificates are not always equally acknowledged, making job searching more difficult. Some participants also observed that border regions feel “invisible in policymaking”, often receiving less investment compared to central areas.
When asked to imagine their dream projects, participants proposed creative and future-oriented ideas:
- a cross-border eco-festival celebrating both cultures and promoting sustainability;
- a multilingual education platform co-developed by schools on both sides of the border;
- a shared emergency response center to improve crisis preparedness; and
- a cross-border youth leadership academy to train teenagers in diplomacy, sustainability, and innovation.