CROSS-BORDER COOPERATION AS A TOOL FOR RELOCATION AND INCLUSIVE LABOUR MARKET DEVELOPMENT: MIGRATION CHALLENGES AND EUROPEAN INTEGRATION PROSPECTS

Abstract

The article explores the transformational potential of cross-border cooperation (CBC) as a multidimensional tool for enterprise relocation, support of labor migrants, and development of an inclusive labor market under the conditions of the full-scale war in Ukraine. The geopolitical crisis has led to the destruction of industrial infrastructure and triggered large-scale internal and external migration, requiring systemic responses at the level of border regions. CBC, which traditionally functioned as a mechanism of regional growth and European integration, is now increasingly acquiring functions of crisis response, resilience-building, and social adaptation. Based on an analysis of European and Ukrainian experiences—particularly through programs like Interreg NEXT, IPA III, and ENI CBC—the study demonstrates a shift from development-centered projects to strategic instruments of recovery, labor integration, and institutional cooperation. CBC supports the safe relocation of businesses, provides frameworks for integrating internally displaced persons (IDPs) into host labor markets, and promotes inclusive employment solutions, especially for vulnerable groups such as women, youth, people with disabilities, and veterans. Emphasis is placed on building cross-sectoral partnerships between local authorities, civil society, the private sector, and academia to ensure sustainable, flexible employment policies aligned with EU values of social cohesion, mobility, and inclusivity. The article identifies major challenges, such as institutional disparities and access to funding, and proposes strategic directions for strengthening CBC's effectiveness in the post-war period—namely through the development of national relocation frameworks, reinforcement of local capacities, and deeper engagement of border communities in transnational cooperation and integration processes. The growing role of digital infrastructure and innovation in cross-border projects is also highlighted as a means of expanding access to employment and education in remote or underserved areas. Additionally, the article underscores the importance of harmonizing legal and administrative procedures to facilitate smoother collaboration between Ukrainian and EU regional stakeholders.