PROJECT MANAGEMENT IN CROSS-BORDER INITIATIVES: PRACTICES, CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

Organizers

Nataliia Yehorchenkova, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava

Contributors

Maros Finka, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava
Eva Purkarthofer, Aalto University
Anna Growe, Institutsleitung Institut für Urbane Entwicklungen
Karina Pallagst, RPTU Rheinland-Pfälzische Technische Universität
Oleksii Yehorchenko, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava
Flora Krasniqi, Universiteti Polis
Annalisa Rollandi, The University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI)
Sylwia Dołzbłasz, University of Wrocław
Elona Karafili, Universiteti Polis

This roundtable will focus on the role of project management in addressing the challenges faced by EU cities, with a particular emphasis on cross-border urban projects. As cities contend with pressing issues like climate change, energy transition, digital transformation, and sustainability, effective project management is important for fostering collaboration, optimizing resource use, and achieving long-term goals. 

Project management frameworks, based on global best practices, provide structured approaches, method, models and tools to planning, executing, and completing projects efficiently within defined timeframes and budgets. Frameworks such as Agile, PRINCE2, and PMBOK are effective in managing resources, risks, stakeholder and team collaboration. They incorporate planning and monitoring tools, such as Gantt charts, project dashboards, and key performance indicators, to ensure tasks are scheduled, tracked, and adjusted as needed. By utilizing these frameworks and tools, projects can maintain clear timelines, monitor progress, and address complex challenges effectively while delivering practical, sustainable results.

The discussion will highlight how management practices can bridge gaps between stakeholders, align diverse interests, and ensure that urban initiatives deliver sustainable and equitable outcomes. From the project management side the discussion can emphasise specific project management tools and approaches that fit best the needs of EU cross-border projects. It will also delve into the complexities of managing urban transformation projects in the EU, for example how cities must navigate a variety of regulatory frameworks, cultural differences, and competing priorities. Topics will include how to overcome governance fragmentation, address funding uncertainties, and drive innovation to build resilient and inclusive urban spaces. 

Key topics for discussion include:

• Best practices in managing cross-border projects.
• Governance, funding, and stakeholder coordination challenges.
• The use of project management tools and methods to improve project outcomes.
• Lessons from successful EU urban projects and partnerships.

Key words: Project Management, Urban Transformation, Cross-Border Collaboration