Democracy

Common Ground: Shaping Regions Across Borders

With Common Ground, we promote the cross-border participation of the population in shaping and developing their border region. In the long-term, sustainable participation structures are to be created.

About the Project

Regions that connect neighboring states - border regions - are special areas that offer a great deal of potential. However, although cross-border relations between Germany and its neighboring countries have stepped up, different administrative structures on both sides of the borders still impede the joint shaping of the regions. With Common Ground, we promote the cross-border participation of the population in the shaping and development of their region. The program aims to establish a unifying culture of participation between politics, administration, civil society, and the local population on both sides of the border. The joint conception, organization, and implementation of cross-border participation processes will address regional challenges, harness underlying potential, and find new solutions. The result should be sustainable cross-border participation structures that last beyond the initial three-year term of the program.

We are committed to strengthening democracy and the rule of law in Germany and Europe—built on the critical trust of citizens. This trust is rooted in a vibrant democratic culture at the local and regional level. Inclusive participation formats help reinforce this foundation. In border regions especially, cross-border civic engagement fosters openness and solidarity, encourages understanding of different (cultural) perspectives, and strengthens social cohesion across national lines.

We are supporting local participation processes in up to eight German border regions during a three-year pilot phase. The focus is on areas with little prior experience in cross-border civic engagement. Together with local actors, we develop low-threshold formats that reach people who have so far felt disconnected from political processes. All pilot projects are accompanied by academic research, and successful approaches will receive further support to become long-term structures.

The project targets local authorities—such as municipalities and counties—as well as civil society organizations in German border regions and neighboring countries. Eligible areas are those that form a shared cross-border space along Germany’s national borders. The program is coordinated by the nexus Institute for Cooperation Management and Interdisciplinary Research, which supports the selected regions in designing and implementing their participation processes, facilitates peer learning, and organizes training.