European Regional Networks: Enhancing European Engagement and Identity Building?

Abstract

With nearly all EU regions participating in European regional networks as part of their European policy, it becomes vital to conduct an evidence-based assessment on whether networks cultivate a European identity through their work. This chapter presents a case study on ERRIN, a European regional network. It will help understand whether networks have the ability to mitigate circumstances when national and / or regional governments are Eurosceptic and nevertheless foster European cooperation and identity building. By providing a review of the network as well as presenting the findings from 13 semi-structured interviews with network members, it will be determined to which extent European networks can facilitate cooperation and integration and support the emergence of European identity.