This thesis is concerned with the actors of cross-border cooperation in the Euroregion Silva Nortica. The aim is to analyze what kind of actors affect cross-border region Silva Nortica and are involved in cross-border cooperation in this area. Another aim is to determine key areas of cross-border cooperation with its specific features within the Euroregion Silva Nortica and evaluate the selected programmes on the Czech and Austrian side of the euroregion. The first programme is the Community Initiative Programme Interreg IIIA and Disposition Fund for the period 2004-2006 and the second programme is the European Territorial Cooperation Austria-Czech Republic and Small Projects Fund under this initiative for the period 2007-2013. The theoretical part deals with the phenomenon of the border, cross-border area and the establishment of Euroregions. The practical part consists of a survey and outcomes of structured interviews. Keywords: cross-border cooperation, euroregion, Euroregion Silva Nortica, actors of cross-border cooperation, Disposition Fund, Small Projects Fund

The thesis describes development and sense of cross-border co-operation in Czech - Austrian border region especially in Euroregio Silva Nortica. There is described the development of cross-border co-operation from the beginning until programme period 2007-2013 in the theoretical part of the thesis. The practical part is focused on Austrian-Czech border region and analyzes the Operation Programme ETC AT-CZ 2007 2013 and its specific objectives. Then there is characterized Euroregio Silva Nortica, its activities, results and position in cross-border co-operation.

Cooperation between people of different nations has existed throughout Europe for centuries on an informal basis as borders have shifted and power has found its way into different hands. During the European integration process of the 1950s, this cooperation was formalized with the creation of the Euroregions, or cross-border regions. These regions were formed to promote common interests and cooperation to counteract barriers and benefit the people residing in the area. The Czech Republic is currently a member of 13 different Euroregions either exclusively or with multiple neighboring countries: Poland (7), Austria (3), Germany (4), and Slovakia (2). Of these 13 regions, four - Silva Nortica (Czech-Austrian, 2002), Bílé-Biele Karpaty (Czech-Slovak, 2000), Silesia (Czech-Polish, 1998), and Egrensis (Czech-German, 1993) - have been chosen to further evaluate how the creation of Euroregions has facilitated regional development. This thesis aims to analyze the level of regional development in the programming periods before and after the accession of the Czech Republic to the European Union in these four Euroregions through the application of the theory of learning regions. Then, by applying the three criteria of theory of learning regions to the four chosen Euroregions, it will determine how the...

My diploma project describes development and outcomes of the regional policy of the Czech Republic. The project is devided in two parts. The first part is oriented on the development of the regional policy and it´s aims with a perpective until 2013. The second part describes the cooperation between the Czech Republic and the Republic of Austria including particular outcomes.

The thesis examines the impact of euroregion Silva Nortica on cross-border cooperation and regional identity. Silva Nortica as the newest Czech euroregion is located in Czech-Austrian borderland. The situation in the euroregion is analyzed through quantitative and qualitative research to offer a complex view on the issue. In context of institutional framework conditions the questionnaire survey together with guided interviews with representatives of the euroregion was analyzed. The thesis also offers possible ways of future development of the euroregion. The results show a good potential among locals to build a cross-border community. However, on the institutional level there are many problematic factors as constrains in future development of cross-border cooperation in Czech-Austrian borderland. Key words: Euroregion Silva Nortica, Czech-Austrian borderland, cross-border cooperation, regional identity, cross-border community, multi-level governance