The processes of European Union (EU) integration and enlargement have produced a new regional socioeconomic map in Europe. Border regions, in particular, have been put in a state of flux. The re-allocation of activities, opportunities and threats is changing their socioeconomic role and significance. Thus, border regions have become an issue of great importance during the last fifteen years in both the areas of scientific research and policy making. The overall picture of the actual dynamics occurring at the border regions, however, when economic barriers have been abolished, remains rather unclear. The absence of an appropriate methodological framework for the study of the impact of EU integration and enlargement dynamics on border regions is evident. The paper proposes a typology for the EU NUTS III border regions, interpreting the socioeconomic dynamics occurring within the enlarged EU space. Primary and secondary data, incorporating quantitative and qualitative determinants for border regions, were elaborated with integrated factor and fuzzy clustering analysis techniques. The proposed border regions typology provides a framework to assess the relative position of each EU border region in the EU space.

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The abolition of the artificial impediments of cross-border interaction inside the European Union, has released dynamics that have influenced significantly the economic space at the frontiers. In contrast, at the European Union external borders, the constraints concerning cross-border interaction with third countries have become more tangible in the sphere of reality. Under this framework, a new mix of opportunities and the threats seems to come forth together with a new political, social and economic map that redefines the notion of vicinity. In the present article, the study of the 'border effect' in Europe is attempted through the investigation of the basic determinants of the spatial dynamics of cross-border interaction. The findings of the article contribute to the better understanding of the 'border effect' with significant implications for both theory and policy

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Recently, the interrelated concepts of the place-based approach, spatial justice, and just transition appear not only in scientific dialogue but also in developing policies that seek to address spatial inequalities. This article attempts to discuss the European, national, and local just transition policies and to assess the extent to which these policies are in line with the place-based model, as reflected in the Barca report (2009). The study reference area at the regional level is Western Macedonia, for which the transition towards an alternative, sustainable, and just path stands a very challenging policy exercise. The empirical section involved questionnaires with local specialists and professionals who hold profound knowledge and experience of the area. The results of the analysis revealed that just transition policies designed only at a European level demonstrate a high-level degree of relationship with the place-based model. The exact opposite seems to prevail at the level of national and regional policies.