The regional conference of the BorderLabs CE project took place in Jelenia Góra, Poland. It focused on a shared vision for the development of the Three-Country Area – the border region of Poland, Germany and the Czech Republic. The event brought together participants from Lower Silesia, Saxony and the Liberec Region who are interested in strengthening cross-border cooperation and adopting a joint approach to regional development challenges.
Following an introduction to the objectives and current activities of the project, an expert session was held addressing the key challenges facing the region. Professor Robert Knippschild presented examples of shaping development visions for post-industrial regions, with particular emphasis on the transformation process in Lusatia. Doctor Sławomir Książek discussed demographic challenges and depopulation, raising questions about whether negative trends can be reversed or whether adaptation is required. Doctor Marek Obrębalski presented practical and statistical inspirations for future development directions of the cross-border region, while doctor Hynek Böhm focused on barriers to cooperation and challenges related to transformation processes in the Three-Country Area.
An important part of the conference was the presentation of a synthesis of German, Polish and Czech strategic and planning documents presented in the form of a multilingual “triple maps”, which served as a tool for the workshop sessions. The central part of the event consisted of moderated workshops conducted in parallel in three language groups. Participants worked on topics related to climate and adaptation to drought, accessibility and networking of public services, energy transition, and the role of applied science as a driver of development outside metropolitan areas.
Discussions focused on the factors determining regional resilience, quality of life, environmental protection, and the importance of innovation and institutional cooperation. Participants emphasized the need to better align public actions with local needs and to implement solutions that can be applied across all three sides of the border. The conference confirmed the importance of strengthening cross-border connections and continuing work on a shared, long-term development vision for the Three-Country Area as a common space for living and growth.