City partnerships for strengthening cross-border regional development

Partnerships between cities have become part of the "returning of the Czech to Europe". On the Czech-Austrian border, it is possible to build such partnerships based on the common history of the region. Currently, 30 cities in the South Bohemian, Vysocina and South Moravian regions with links to Austrian partners are registered in an incomplete overview. The project follows a completed FMP project developed by both universities, although in a different topic. The project will assess the level of partnership with a focus on getting to know each other's neighboring territory (cities), but also the functioning of public administration. This is the purpose of joint research of students and academics of VŠPJ and DUK, as well as field work, incl. meetings with representatives of the municipalities, travel agencies, accommodation facilities and sights (includes paid entrances). The results will be presented at the conference in the form of a traveling exhibition and a publication and will significantly shift the state of knowledge about city partnerships and thus support the interconnection of the Czech-Austrian border.