The b-solutions initiative will collect cases along the maritime and land border between IPA and EU countries

Call for proposals of b-solutions EU project 2.0

For the first time in the b-solutions initiative will collect cases along the maritime and land border between IPA countries (Turkey, Albania, Montenegro, Serbia, the Republic of North Macedonia, Bosnia-Herzegovina) and EU countries (Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Cyprus, Italy, Hungary, Romania).

The B-solutions initiative of the European Commission and the Association of European Border Regions (AEBR) aim to support local actors to identify and implement viable solutions to overcome the many obstacles which make life in border regions complex. B-solutions 2.0 is a relevant tool for actors in border regions to receive advice from experts on innovative solutions to tackle legal and administrative obstacles hindering cross-border cooperation.

The second call for proposals under the b-solutions 2.0 initiative was extended until 10 November 2023.

The initiative addresses public bodies, including public equivalent bodies, in border regions to support them in the objective of better governance of cooperation, and particularly to solve legal and administrative obstacles which hamper cross-border cooperation.

The successful candidates receive support from the European Commission to remove the difficulties which hinder cooperation with the neighbouring country.

The call for proposals aims to identify 120 cases of legal or administrative obstacles hindering cooperation across national borders. Selected cases will receive technical assistance from legal experts who will suggest potential solutions to overcome the obstacles. Moreover, the evidence collected will help raise awareness of cross-border cooperation and ways forward to promote solutions at the local, national and European level to support border regions.

Here are all the key details on the call:

•           Who can apply: Public bodies (municipalities, regions, hospitals, universities, health agencies, etc.) and cross-border entities (Euroregions, EGTC, etc.) located along EU internal land and maritime borders as well as along EU borders with EFTA and IPA countries, which are facing the cross-border obstacle of legal or administrative nature.

•           What type of support will be provided: Technical assistance from experts looking at the roots of legal and administrative obstacles which hinder cross-border cooperation. The experts will elaborate on potential solutions to overcome the obstacle in a case report.

•           How and when to apply: The call stays open until 10 November 2023 and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

More details available on the call and the conditions to apply on the b-solutions’ website.

If you have any questions, you would contact AEBR at b-solutions@aebr.eu or book an individual call with a team member: https://calendly.com/b-solutionsaebr/30min.