Abstract

Local area-based cross-border cooperation has been ongoing in Irelandsince before the ‘Troubles’, albeit much of this on an informal basis – a caseof neighbour helping neighbour. Since the mid-1990s much of thiscommunity-led cooperation has been formalised in the context of EUfunding programmes to support the Northern Irish peace process andemerging national and regional spatial strategies. Under such programmesand strategies, its focus has been on economic and social developmentgoals, rather than on social objectives only. Today local cross-bordercooperation on the island of Ireland, and particularly in the border region,finds itself at a crossroads. For projects and partnerships that wish toremain in existence, and continue to receive funding, the emphasis now ison demonstrating their long-term sustainable nature.