Winter School on Inclusive Policy-Making in European Borderlands
We welcome applications to the winter school Inclusive Policy-Making in European Borderlands. The winter school is a training programme that welcomes professionals working in fields impacted by borders and border region challenges in Europe, especially focusing on culture and cultural heritage. The training programme takes place on 28–30 January 2026.
Programme content
The Winter School on Borders Shaping Perceptions of European Societies (B-SHAPES) is an inspiring training programme for professionals working in fields impacted by borders and border region challenges in Europe, especially focusing on culture and cultural heritage.
The training offers a unique opportunity to learn about borders (including challenging the idea and definition of a border), discuss their impact on the daily life of citizens, and, through practice-informed sessions, work on solving practical issues deriving from different types of borders. The programme applies case-based techniques from the interdisciplinary field of public policy to instill inter-cultural collective learning outcomes. The programme relates to the work of the Horizon Europe B-SHAPES project.
What to expect
During the programme, you will benefit from an inspiring international learning environment in Halmstad, Sweden. Situated in a dynamic coastal city, Halmstad offers a unique setting to explore border studies, policy challenges, and regional cooperation.
The programme features several ways of learning, all designed to challenge conventional understandings of borders and their impact on societies:
- lectures by international experts
- interactive workshops
- policy-oriented case studies
- role-plays
Study visits and cultural activities will further enhance the learning experience, providing practical insights into border-related challenges and solutions. Drawing on evidence-based case studies, you will learn how to develop cultural and heritage policies that are more inclusive, how to create convincing narratives that engage local communities, and how to address recent cross-border challenges in a participatory way.
Dates and details
- Dates: 28–30 January 2026, with an optional field trip on 31 January.
- Place: Halmstad, Sweden
- Organsier: Halmstad University
- Programme language: English
Costs
The programme offers all participants free participation, shared accommodation and lunch. Participants will need to cover their own travel to Halmstad, as well as all other expenses.
Application and selection
The application is open until 10 October 2025. Apply by following the steps below. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
Who can apply?
The winter school is designed for professionals in the public or private sector who engage with border and border region related challenges in their professional capacities. Young professionals are especially encouraged to apply. The programme is primarily intended for EU/EU candidate/EFTA country residents, but it is also open to applications from third countries. Early career researchers (PhD, postdoctoral) are invited to apply if they want to engage in policy-oriented and research-policy bridging works.
How to apply
The application period is open until 10 October 2025.
Yor application needs to contain:
- one-page motivation letter
- CV
Please apply by sending your motivation letter and your CV to b-shapes@hh.se
What happens next
You will be informed about the selection results in November 2025. Approx. 20 participants will be accepted to the winter school. We highly value active course participation and motivation to engage with other participants and share experiences. Therefore, applicants should have a strong command of the English language. High diversity of perspectives is essential for this programme. To ensure this, the organising team reserves the right to give preference to applicants based on their background (occupational sector, country of employment, gender).
About the B-shapes project
Borders Shaping Perceptions of European Societies (B-SHAPES) is a Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Action project coordinated by the Centre of Border Region Studies at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU). B-Shapes analyzes and assesses how borders are still a key factor in understanding societies. In cooperation with Europeans living in border regions, we examine the role of borders through three lenses:
- Euroscepticism in border regions,
- minorities in border regions and
- border landscapes as heritage.
Our focus on borderlands promises new insights into how borders shape perceptions of societies and how the story of borders can be narrated differently than from a purely national perspective.
Project consortium
Universities and research institutions:
University of Southern Denmark (PI), Brunel University London, Eötvös Loránd University, Eurac Research, Halmstad University, Technical University of Liberec, University of Oulu, University of Strasbourg, University of Wrocław
In cooperation with:
Association of European Border Regions (AEBR), European Network Remembrance and Solidarity (ENRS), National Museum of History (Bulgaria), Kreatus, Lungomare
