Allies at Home in Search of Allies Abroad: The Role of Cooperation in Local Foreign Policy

Research on the emergence of cross-border cooperation has blossomed recently, particularly within the EU context. There are numerous incentives (trough European programs) given to local authorities aiming at the development of municipal networks, inter-regional policy and investments, urban benchmarking and knowledge sharing. The aim of this paper is to discuss the success of cross border projects between European municipalities and regions, and the role of municipal scale. The argument presented in the paper results from an exploratory approach to the topic and is based on the empirical assessment of the experience of the Aveiro Region in Portugal. In this case cooperation between municipalities and other regional institutions is seen as a mechanism for successful European networking and local foreign policy. Empirically, I look at the process of preparing an inter-municipal development program in order to apply for EU Structural funds. In specific, three inter-related dimensions are analysed. First, I seek to discuss the incentives impelling governance and networks. Second, the paper strives to contribute to the discussion of the practical implications of governance for local governments, particularly when network solutions involve non-political agencies. Third, I seek to analyse the strategies pursued by municipalities to promote common cross-border networks. Despite the absence of a strong tradition on cooperation for this kind of policy areas, which is furthered by a pattern of competition between municipalities, recent cooperative plans, which emerged as a consequence of the dynamics established during the process of applying for EU Structural Funds, unveil an increase in this type of collaboration.