ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the character of specific local communities, interconnections and perceptions towards others through the different stages of re-bordering processes, from the dissolution of Yugoslavia until the accession of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union. It also examines the influence of top-down bordering and de-bordering processes concerning the bottom-up creation of socio-spatial identities in the Croatia Slovenia borderlands, Since there still exists an old-fashioned perception of borders on the state level in the South-East Europe (SEE) region, as well as specific dynamics within these borderlands. Being on the periphery of a Europeanised community, and the gateway to the post-conflict Balkan region at the same time, has given Croatia a geopolitical position of double borderlands. At the state level one can argue whether Schengen formed a wall towards Croatia or was only a type of political wall used in diplomatic relations. The Schengen wall can influence state relations but local inhabitants have their own dynamics.
