Towards the Territorialisation of EU Cohesion Policy? The Case of EUSAIR

This contribution sheds light on the potential influence of EU macro-regions on territorial governance and, more in general, on the EU integration processes. From a theoretical perspective, EU macro-regions are seen as a natural consequence of subregionalisation processes, which emerged in the EU after 1989. Building on a careful analysis of the existing literature and empirical evidence, the study reflects on the capability of EU macro-regions, and especially of the EUSAIR, to influence the way in which countries are involved within EU integration processes and must adapt towards new spatial governance configurations This contribution shows both the potentialities and the limitations of this experimental initiative in addressing common territorial challenges.