The main aim of this evaluation study was to create auxiliary research-based instruments that would support the implementation of the National Strategy of Regional Development of Poland in the scope of cross-border cooperation and assist in developing a frame of reference for strategic documents concerning the future of European Territorial Cooperation following 2013. The aim of the research project was also to carry out evaluation studies on the implementation of Objective 3 of Cohesion Policy, i.e. European Territorial Cooperation (cross-border cooperation in particular) with Polish participation, in the context of joint cross-border functional regions forming around borders as elements of territorial cohesion. A functional region is understood as a closed region in terms of the coherence of interventions implemented to fulfil social needs and the coherence of socio-economic conditions, but not limited by any geographic boundaries, i.e. official administrative borders (including national borders).

Maciej Molak is a graduate of the Faculty of Arts at the Masaryk University in Brno. He is at the Ph.D. programme at the Faculty of Social Studies at MU. His research interests include theory of evaluation of cross-border impact and cooperation. He is a project manager at the JTS of OP Cross-border Cooperation Czech Republic - Poland 2007-2013.