Estonia’s EU External Borders Programme book

Cross-border cooperation is an important component of the European Neighborhood Policy, involving 16 member states located on the external borders of the European Union. The ‘Estonia-Russia’ Cross-Border Cooperation Program 2014-2020 was established with the aim of developing and strengthening relations between the EU and Russia. The program sought to create a neighborhood area based on EU values, characterized by close and peaceful cooperation. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the European Commission decided to cease cooperation with Russian authorities and beneficiaries. The ‘Estonia-Russia’ 2014-2020 program was renamed the Estonia European Union External Border Program, which from then on focused solely on border areas within Estonia. The External Border Program was based on the development of three sectors: (1) the development of entrepreneurship and small and medium-sized enterprises; (2) support for good local and regional governance; and (3) environmental protection, climate change mitigation, and adaptation.

The book ‘Cooperation at the Border: People and Projects That Transformed the Estonian Border Area’ provides an overview of the activities and impact of the Estonia European Union External Border Program 2014-2020, presenting 71 implemented and successfully completed projects and their outcomes. The book focuses on three cultural regions in Eastern Estonia: Ida-Virumaa, Peipsimaa, and Setomaa. The projects carried out under the program include, among others, the development of infrastructure, the promotion of local entrepreneurship, cultural heritage, and tourism, as well as environmental protection measures. The projects cover diverse activities, such as the restoration of museums, a historical fortress, and a promenade, the creation of new industrial parks, and the strengthening of local communities.

The stories highlighted in the book provide an excellent overview of the colorful projects and their leaders. For example, the book recounts the satisfaction of Anne Veevo, Director of the Narva City Development and Economics Department, who noted how 80 percent of the historic waterfronts on the Narva side were restored as a result of the project (see p. 25). Likewise, it describes how Setomaa entrepreneur Margus Timmo led the construction of a cold storage facility in an old barn in Obinitsa, funded by the program, where Setomaa berry growers can now successfully freeze their harvested crops (see p. 69). The stories featured in the book are a great example of the positive impact the External Border Program was able to have in a border region. For instance, the stories of the people presented in the collection illustrate how the projects created new jobs and improved the quality and availability of services in the region. Additionally, the book provides a comprehensive overview of how the program’s funds were distributed between Estonian regions and program objectives, including who participated, what was achieved, and the overall level of competition.

Since the goal of the Estonia European Union External Border Program was to enhance the competitiveness of the regions and promote cross-border cooperation, the book is important for border area residents, as well as current and prospective local and international cooperation partners. As highlighted in the collection, the External Border Program was a success, bringing significant benefits to border areas. This is confirmed by the fact that nearly all of the program’s initial numerical targets were exceeded multiple times (see p. 167). For example, while the initial goal was to involve 80 companies, by the end of the projects, 534 different companies were counted among active participants and beneficiaries. Therefore, similar initiatives to the External Border Program will continue to be necessary in the future to keep activities and developments in the region ongoing.