ABSTRACT
This chapter contains an analysis of two policy programmes initiated at Community level and intended to foster the regional development potential of European regions and border regions. The first programme is called Interreg and is directed towards European border regions. The second programme is called RITS/RIS and deals with regional innovation policy. In order to assess whether the “active space” approach could be of use to European border regions and their economic development potential, this chapter takes a closer look at both programmes. Both Interreg and RITTS/RIS correspond with a bottom-up approach to regional development in policy formulation and implementation. Based on the experiences from Interreg and RITTS/RIS, this chapter outlines some tips for border regions on how to reinforce their development potential and, in conclusion, how academic research could help them by answering the right questions.
