Have you heard about the b-solutions initiative?
Launched by the European Commission as part of its efforts to strengthen cooperation in EU border regions, b-solutions was created to address the everyday legal and administrative obstacles that hinder cross-border collaboration. Since its launch in 2018, b-solutions has already uncovered more than 200 real-life obstacles from complicated medical reimbursement procedures to conflicting rules in public transport and energy use. These are not just technical issues – they directly impact people, services, and development in border regions.
The b-solutions initiative is promoted by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO) and managed by the Association of European Border Regions (AEBR) and helps address these challenges by providing expert advice to identify and resolve cross-border obstacles.
Public authorities and cross-border entities can submit real cases and receive practical recommendations from legal experts to improve cooperation in areas such as public services, labour mobility, institutional collaboration, and the green transition.
Open call for proposals
An ongoing call for proposals is currently open to provide support to actors in border regions: https://www.bsolutionsproject.com/call-for-proposals.
Support provided
Selected cases benefit from the legal advice of an expert knowledgeable of the border context and the thematic area related to the obstacle (institutional cooperation, public services, labour market and education, EU Green Deal). The expert conducts interviews, analyses the legal or administrative hurdles, and provides a report outlining the findings and possible solutions to address the obstacle.
How to apply
Interested stakeholders are invited to complete the online application form for new b‑solutions cases. The form is straightforward, based on only four criteria, and can be submitted in any EU language. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the call closes on 30 June 2026.
Contact
If potential applicants would like to schedule a meeting with the b-solutions team to discuss a potential case or clarify specific questions, they can book a call by clicking here. The team can also be reached via email at b-solutions@aebr.eu and via phone at +49 1764 2090 666.
Useful resources
The b-solutions website: www.b-solutionsproject.com
The b‑solutions online library: https://www.b-solutionsproject.com/library. These publications constitute a set of evidence on existing border obstacles and help share good practices among border regions throughout Europe.
The b-solutions promotional video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AbZwZWStVk
