B-SHAPES is about policy improvement. Our research feeds into policy recommendations for policymakers (not only) in border regions, as well as policymakers for border regions.  The Policy Briefs are based on the results of our work packages, adapted to general use in European border regions.

Our first Policy Brief, The effects of COVID-19 border closures on commuters, families, and students, illustrates the impact of the border closures during the pandemic on cross-border life, touching many aspects of disruption beyond cross-border commuting and  -shopping. We recommend to  reassess the centrally made decisions on border closures with a stronger consideration of the specific needs of border regions and their inhabitants. These recommendations are supplemented by our second Policy Brief The role of minority media in shaping
narratives on borders and Europe, which focuses on the special situation of borderlands populated by national minorities. The border closures had a severe impact on these communities dependent on continuous contact with their kin state. The minorities were voices not heard during the decision-making on border closures. 

Recognition of border landscapes as shared heritage is the central objective of B-SHAPES' work package five. Border landscapes have been mythologized and are an important aspect of national narratives. We argue that it is important to re-focus border landscapes as shared heritage to foster cross-border understanding and cooperation. This is not necessarily the case at the moment. This policy brief,  Cultural and cultural heritage policies affecting borderlands, gives some insight on how that can be done!

B-SHAPES has moved into its final year in spring 2025. Our fieldwork has been completed and data collected. Now it is time to finalize the analysis of the data into scientific publications and policy recommendations. Borders, Border Regions and Europe – Interim Policy Recommendations gives an overview of how border related policies can be improved already now. It is the base for our discussions with policy makers in summer and autumn 2025.