Currently, the focus is on the tri-border region of Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic. Since 1 April 2018, two fields of activity have been linked here (see ACC & EEN notes below). It is necessary to take into account the respective circumstances and conditions that affect cross-border cooperation and project work in research and teaching. The participation of the TRAWOS-Institute in these activities consists first of all in (re)linking the structures and mechanisms of the Euroregional scientific exchange, which have been created over many years, with the topics of the TRAWOS-Institute.
Euro-regional and cross-border cooperation in the Euroregion Neiße-Nysa-Nisa was consolidated in 1991 with the establishment of three institutions. On the German side, this work is realised by the Euroregion Neisse e. V. The scientific cooperation in the region is supported by the committee "Academic Coordination Center - ACC". This is an association of the scientific institutions in the Euroregion. While the association, based in Zittau, realizes civil society projects, the ACC promotes scientific exchange between researchers and enables students to participate in scientific conferences. In addition, the "Prize of the Euroregion Neiße-Nisa-Nysa" is awarded annually for cross-border cooperation.
On the economic level, the Polish-German-Czech Cooperation Forum has taken place annually in the Polish Krkonoše Mountains since 1993. Here, small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) are supported in the initiation of international company cooperations. This service is offered at the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences (HSZG) by the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) on behalf of the Executive Agency for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (EASME) for the EU Commission. In addition to the mediation of international company contacts, the service also includes support in the search for suitable EU subsidies, as well as audits to increase the innovative capacity of companies.
European integration poses major challenges for SMEs and institutions, which are further intensified by demographic change and the digital turn. The acquisition of knowledge and its exploitation as well as the urgent need to shape interpersonal relationships respectfully and on an equal footing, taking into account inter- and socio-cultural differences, increases the complexity of social change.