On 29 June 2025, participants from Ukraine reflected on the opportunities and challenges of living near international borders, the potential of EU-funded cooperation programs, and their vision for community-led environmental initiatives. The discussion emphasized how political stability determines whether borders become spaces of growth or zones of risk.
One participant explained that living near an international border can be an opportunity—but only under stable political conditions. Border regions, they said, hold great potential for logistics development, small businesses, cultural exchange, and foreign investment. However, in the Ukrainian context, where the border with an aggressor state poses an ongoing security threat, this same proximity can quickly become a risk factor. As the participant concluded, “In peacetime, the border is a resource; in a crisis, it is a challenge.”
When asked about useful cooperation programs, another participant noted that although their city does not currently participate in Interreg initiatives, such projects could make a significant difference, especially in industrial regions like Zaporizhzhia. They suggested adapting projects such as the Interreg Danube “Plastic Free Danube” to Ukraine’s Dnieper River ecosystem, where pollution is a serious concern. This adaptation would both combat water contamination and raise environmental awareness among local residents.
Finally, participants shared their ideas for a dream cooperation project, envisioning a cross-border initiative that unites civil society organizations, young leaders, activists, environmentalists, and municipalities from border regions. The project would focus on environmental protection and animal welfare, tackling issues such as waste management, care for stray animals, restoration of green areas, and community dialogue.
They emphasized that such an initiative would not only have a tangible ecological impact, but also serve as an educational platform, shaping a new civic culture of responsibility, cooperation, and participation across borders.