The European Communication’s COM(2017) 534 final stresses the necessity to promote activities that support bilingualism and multilingualism in border regions, in order to facilitate the communication and reciprocal understanding between neighboring regions.
Obstacles to multilingualism especially include difficulties in setting up actions to promote it in cross-border contexts.
This is well represented by the only case selected within the thematic area “Multilingualism” in the framework of the third call for proposals of b-solutions.
The case has been addressed by a network of municipalities located at the French-Spanish border.
Obstacles to cross-border multilingualism
Click on the picture to discover how cross-border multilingualism is hindered along the European borders
Our participating organisations
More obstacles from the 1st and the 2nd calls for proposals
Pilot Actions
#PrimaryEducation
Bilingualism in the Tri-Border Region AT-HU-SK
Lower Austrian Government, Department of Pre-Schools/Kindergartens and Schools
Austria – Hungary - Slovakia
Obstacle:
There is no legal framework allowing for children from Hungary and Slovakia to be accepted at Austrian primary schools or kindergartens. Federal authorities can provide such an option at a secondary education level but since primary schools and kindergartens are managed by local entities without legal competence on this matter pupils cannot attend schools in the neighbouring country.
Proposed Solution:
Analyse the legal and administrative roots that cause the obstacle in order to propose a legal framework to change the situation, promoting multilingualism and raising awareness among the respective authorities for the creation of cross border kindergartens and schools.
To know more here.
Advice cases
#AudioVisualContents
Stop geo-blocking! Overcoming discrimination and developing intercultural competences by providing access to online content across borders
Netherlands-Germany; Belgium-Netherlands; Belgium-Germany
The practice of geo-blocking sets up new borders to citizens and professionals to get access to audio-visual content in an increasing digital market due to their geographical location. The issue becomes crucial for citizens and professionals in the Euregio Meuse-Rhine not only to develop a common understanding and acquire important cultural and linguistic skills but also to access and consult these services in their native language as they might live or work on the other side of the border.
To know more.
