Crossing Borders, Building Trust The Prespa Lakes

Abstract
The Prespa Lakes basin, spanning Greece, Albania, and North Macedonia, offers a strong example of evolving transboundary governance. What began as civil society-led cooperation has gradually moved toward more formal structures, most notably with the creation of the Prespa Park Management Committee following the 2010 trilateral agreement. Despite the area’s rich ecological and cultural assets, balancing conservation with development remains a persistent challenge amid shifting political contexts. In response, local authorities have proposed forming a European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC) for the region. Backed by EU legislation, this model could provide the legal and operational framework needed to manage joint efforts across borders. By aligning ecological preservation with regional strategies, like ecotourism and enhanced public services, the EGTC offers a pathway to integrated, long-term governance. Comparative examples, such as the Lake Constance region, show the value of lasting institutions, inclusive governance, and multi-level coordination. A Prespa EGTC could follow this path, offering a legally grounded platform for collaboration among municipalities, communities, and NGOs to manage both environmental and socio-economic priorities. This study adds to policy and academic conversations by showing how EGTCs can help close governance gaps in complex ecological regions. However, success will depend on addressing legal inconsistencies between countries and securing political and financial commitment. As a real-world testbed, Prespa illustrates the promise of integrated territorial governance for fostering stewardship, cohesion, and sustainable progress in shared landscapes.

Keywords
Transboundary Governance; European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC); Integrated Territorial Development; Multi-level Collaboration; Cross-border Conservation