ISSN 2522-9842 Journal of Scientific Papers “Social Development and Security”, Vol. 11, No. 2, – 2021

Social security as a field of Euroregional cooperation. Deliberations on the example of the activity of the “Beskidy”

Sabina Sanetra-Półgrabi 1 A; Aleksander Sapiński 2 B A Pedagogicla University of Cracov, ul. Podchorążych 2, Kraków, B Bielsko-Biała School of Finance and Law, u. Cz. Tańskiego 5, 43-300 Bielsko-Biała, Poland

Received: March 1, 2021 | Revised: April 11, 2021 | Accepted: April 30, 2021

DOI: 10.33445/sds.2021.11.2.2

Abstract The main aim of this article is to present the concept of the Euroregion as a platform for cooperation in the area of social security. The issue itself needs to be constantly updated not only because of the constant challenges facing the and other countries. The outlook character of the article presents a view on the importance of cooperation between self- government administration bodies and other subjects of economic life for the development of cooperation within the . The article mainly focuses on the fight against often negative stereotypes and undertakings whose task is to increase the standard of economic life by increasing activities aimed at improving the quality of Euroregional cooperation. The Euroregion “Beskidy” was selected for the study, which is diverse in ethnic, sociological, historical, but also economic and social terms. Its unique features have allowed the authors to more clearly emphasize the message of the article. Tourism and its international, Euro-regional character is also an important element of cooperation. In order to carry out the research that resulted in this article, the methods of researching the sources sucked in in terms of critical analysis of literature were used, as well as juxtaposing them with the previously conducted research on Euroregions and safety by the authors. On the basis of the analysis, the article presents a significant contribution of social integration and cross-border cooperation to the development of the Euroregion as well as to the development of social security as a non-military part of the research topic. The creation of new types of innovative pro-social undertakings opens up the Euroregions, and thus the Member States to further internal integration and intensification of activities to strengthen socio-economic cooperation with neighboring countries. Key words: social security, security, euroregion, cross-border cooperation, tourism.

Introduction Security generally appears as a concept, an among which social security is analysed together academic discipline and an object of activity for with the following dimensions: cultural, policy-makers. In the latter view, internal ecological, informational and economic. security, organised in a state in the form of legal Sometimes the financial, energy and food regulations and a system of supervisory bodies dimensions are also singled out as categories of and services, inspections and guards security analysis. In any case, all the proposed subordinate to them, is the most crucial. sectors are very necessary and appear in In the security sciences we deal with the numerous analyses in security sciences security of the state, often identified with (Wojciechowski, S.). national security and its non-military aspects, Turning to social security, it is first worth

1 Corresponding author: Adiunkt, Instytut Prawa, Administracji i Ekonomii, e-mail: [email protected] 2 Ph.D student, MSc, Lecturer of Bielsko-Biała School of Finance and Law, e-mail: [email protected]

11 ISSN 2522-9842 Journal of Scientific Papers “Social Development and Security”, Vol. 11, No. 2, – 2021 noting that it is probably the most local and the analysis of the hitherto activity of one individual in nature. On the one hand it is related selected Euroregion, which is the Euroregion to the system of global collective security, led by “Beskidy”. On the basis of the collected legal regulations and the influence of universal materials, including the literature on the and specialized organizations, such as the subject, development strategies and other United Nations, the International Labour generally available studies, the meaning of Organization, the Organization for Security and social security, the way it is perceived and the Co-operation in Europe or the Council of Europe directions it is provided within the activity of the and the European Union. On the other hand, Polish-Czech-Slovak Euroregion “Beskidy” will many studies provide definitions of social safety be shown. According to the authors, the twenty in close connection with the social policy years of functioning of the cross-border pursued at national, regional and local levels structure and the objectives of the cooperation and it is generally difficult to separate the two included in the quoted development strategies issues without careful analysis. Therefore, in this testify that many undertakings fall within the text, the authors first of all characterise social framework of social security. These include in safety as a field and objective of cooperation particular: initiatives aimed at combating between local government units located in the negative stereotypes, undertakings aimed at immediate vicinity of the state border, which is raising the economic level and integration referred to as cross-border, crossborder or around common values as well as intensifying euroregional. In the further part of the text, the cooperation in solving cross-border problems. It authors will use the last of the distinguished is on these aspects that the authors of this notions, and it results from the concentration on article wish to focus.

Results and discussion Social security – understanding, dimensions, formal groups, oriented towards the common threats good and the realisation of recognised cultural Many studies have been written on the non- values with the use of accepted means, as well military aspects of security. We may risk a as the maintenance and strengthening of social statement that nowadays they constitute a bonds, ensuring the formation of the community dynamic area of research exploration. As far as identity of the community covered by the the discussed issue is concerned, it is worth political organisation of the state” (Jakubczak, noting at the outset that it is related to the R.). national security system of the state, which is Another way of defining social security is to aimed at social development, welfare, social link it to social policy, which is realised by state minimum and survival not only of the state as a and local administration. In this context, the whole, but also of the social groups living within most adequate definition is that proposed by M. its borders. In this aspect it is noticeable that Leszczyński, according to whom social safety social security is defined as a special type, field, includes “the whole range of legal and research area in security sciences. This is very organisational activities carried out by well reflected in the approach of R. Jakubczak, R. governmental (national and international), non- Kalinowski and K. Loranty. According to governmental entities and citizens themselves, Jakubczak, Kalinowski and Loranty, “social which are aimed at ensuring a certain standard safety is such a quality of the society's culture, of living for individuals, families and social social structure and system of work division, groups, and preventing their marginalisation which enables the citizens to achieve individual and social exclusion. In particular, it is about values and manifests itself in the undertaking of providing assistance to people who are cooperative actions by individuals, natural and temporarily or permanently unable to work, who

12 ISSN 2522-9842 Journal of Scientific Papers “Social Development and Security”, Vol. 11, No. 2, – 2021 have found themselves in a difficult life situation dimension of studying and defining social as a result of their own incompetence, or who security is very important. In particular, the role have fallen victim to random events beyond their of the local authorities' cooperation to increase control, such as fire, flood or other natural the development opportunities of the given disasters” (Leszczyński, M.). local government unit, as well as its closest We may risk a statement that the above surroundings, and initiatives that are part of the definitions emphasise the social dimension of fight against emerging constraints. One example social security, but there are also references to of bottom-up activities is cross-border the community and development aspect. It is cooperation, either in a formalised way or as these three dimensions of analysis that support for such projects. dominate many studies on social security. The General comments on Euroregional first one includes the livelihood objective, i.e., cooperation the guarantee of minimum social standards The main aim of cross-border cooperation through an organised system of transfers and since the beginning of the 1990s was the incomes, the next one is closely related to the integration of local communities. At the same area of social capital, and the last one – the time, the first effects of the established developmental dimension of social safety Euroregional structures showed that it is very analysis is contained in the provision by the state difficult to successfully implement cross-border of adequate educational conditions, the projects. This was influenced by the numerous implementation of professional paths, or the political, legal and economic transformations creation of institutional conditions for the that emerged in Poland and Central and Eastern empowerment of citizens in the legal system Europe. Certainly, the institutional and (Leszczyński, M.). economic reforms carried out in Poland at the The characterised dimensions of social safety turn of the 1980s and 1990s and then in the and their diversity mean that the analysis of second half of the 1990s brought about many social safety threats should be undertaken in the changes which were also beneficial for the same general way. Thus, according to B. Hołysta, gradually emerging euroregions, including the apart from the typical dangers associated with possibility of benefiting from pre-accession functioning in a social group, the sense of assistance. integrity of an individual is also affected by the Currently, since Poland's accession to the forces of nature, including space and all European Union, we have participated in two environmental pollution, as well as civilization programming periods, new possibilities to and consumer threats, which are the implement cross-border initiatives and legal and repercussions of economic and socio-political institutional forms of activity have emerged. In transformations. Certainly, social threats general, there are several types of realization of include the effects of globalisation, cyber external cooperation of territorial self- threats and the uncontrolled growth of large governments, to which the most general can be cities (Hołyst, B.). An equally capacious classified: Euroregions, agreements in the form classification of threats to social security is of twin towns, cross-border clusters, European presented by J. Supińska, where among natural Groupings of Cross-border Cooperation or other disasters and negative aspects of technological networks, more or less formalised structures progress and armed conflicts, the author sees (Szczechowicz, H.). the dangerous influence of other social groups These forms of cross-border activity have and self-destruction of the individual himself much in common and much in common at the (Supińska, J.). same time. Certainly, their structure and Certainly, threats to social security, as well as activities were influenced by numerous legal, its very definition, is an extremely complex issue economic and international conditions. The and requires detailed justification in each case. issue of the implemented model of cooperation For the authors of the text, the developmental is also important. A closer look at the structure 1 3 ISSN 2522-9842 Journal of Scientific Papers “Social Development and Security”, Vol. 11, No. 2, – 2021 of the currently functioning sixteen Euroregions institutions, including local authorities, small reveals that the bottom-up, self-governing and medium enterprises, schools and model of cooperation generally prevails. In universities and associations (Przybyła, Z.). Poland, with the participation of the As far as the parties to the cooperation are government, cross-border structures have been concerned, there are three local government created in the eastern and partly in the northern associations consisting of local government borderlands (these are the Carpathian, Bug and units and economic entities, non-governmental Baltic Euroregions) (Szczechowicz, H.). organizations and private persons, meritorious In terms of its conception, the Euroregion can for the border area (Przybyła, Z.). be defined in various ways, but in most cases, it In total, the Beskidy Euroregion covers an is an area spatially connected to a specific area of about 6 343 km², including the Polish geographical area and includes border parts of part: 3 288 km², Slovak: 2 083 km², Czech: 972 two or more countries that wish to cooperate km². The area is inhabited by almost 1 385 036 and coordinate local communities in various people (Poles – 843 536; Slovaks – 295 500, activities. Euroregion is distinguished by the Czechs – 246 000) (Sanetra-Półgrabi, S.). following features: a high degree of Analysing the achievements to date, to a institutionalisation, i.e. it is most often a formal large extent they have been connected with the structure, a platform for cross-border set goals, which have already been indicated cooperation, bringing together representatives and specified in the Strategy of the Euroregion of local and regional authorities and sometimes “Beskidy”, whose assumptions were adopted on economic and social partners. The advanced 25 August 2000. Further activity of local level of integration within the Euroregion means authorities creating the Euroregion shows that that, over time, a cross-border region can be many initiatives have been successfully realized defined as a specific type of Euroregion: a or initiated. In the strategic document four main territory on both sides of a national border, goals were indicated: to develop the processes constituting a homogeneous complex of integrating the Euroregion community and territories with common features, whose shaping the local democracy, to develop population has common cultural traditions and economically, to ensure the care about the wishes to cooperate in order to stimulate richness of nature resources and environment cultural, social and economic progress. An protection and to optimally develop the human example is the Euroregion Sar – Lor – Lux located capital and to raise the quality of life of Polish- on the French-Belgian-Luxembourg border Czech-Slovak border area inhabitants. In a (Studzieniecki, T.). similar way, it defines the tasks for local Euroregion “Beskidy” – general authorities and other members gathered in the characteristics Euroregion “Beskidy” another strategic The analyzed Euroregion “Beskidy” is located document, i.e. the Development Strategy of the on the southern border of Poland. It is the only Euroregion “Beskidy” for 2016-2023, focusing cross-border structure so far, in which on: promotion of tourism in the context of participate territorial units from , employment growth, livelihood, development and Poland, formally established in of natural and cultural resources and Rajcza on June 9, 2000. The overall objective of cooperation of institutions and communities in the cooperation was the development of the field of education, nature and landscape tourism, activities to cultivate common values protection, preparation of cross-border and traditions related to the Beskydy region and infrastructure projects, and in the field of economic cooperation. Other, equally recreation, provision of public services, important goals of Euroregion's activity were: including creation of cooperation networks and environmental protection, undertakings increasing the level of information about the complying with the rule of sustainable common area (Obszar i liczba). development, intensified cooperation of The first years of the Euroregion operation 1 4 ISSN 2522-9842 Journal of Scientific Papers “Social Development and Security”, Vol. 11, No. 2, – 2021

(2000-2005) showed that first of all it was and guards to build internal security, including necessary to build an institutional basis for the fight against major threats to the functioning cooperation, adjust to the current international of key institutions in the Member State situation including meeting the requirements of (Gruszczak, A.; Ilnicki, M.; Szachoń-Pszenny, A.). Poland's accession to the European Union and A. Pokrzywka-Szkarska writes about the need undertake promotional activities. As shown by to conduct strictly social research. Pokrzywka- many initiatives, the main axis of cooperation Szkarska noting: “The practice of Euroregional was and is tourism. It is around tourism that activities, implemented projects of a cross- marketing, economic, educational and social border nature, which require the cooperation of projects were carried out. Thanks to the partners from both (or more) sides of the development of this field of cooperation it was border, as well as the postulates of local political possible to support local technical, economic, and intellectual elites convince that processes of social and municipal infrastructure, improve creating a cross-border community are both inter-organizational relations and support local desirable and possible. (...) However, the kitsch cultural heritage, and undertake initiatives for of cross-borderism, i.e. the rapid intensification sustainable development (Strategia Rozwoju and glorification of cross-border cooperation Euroregionu). projects, can only be a consequence of wishful Through the development of cross-border thinking on the part of the elites. Meanwhile, tourism cooperation it has also been possible to the real knitting together of communities has to influence social development and to some take place at all levels, not only at the level of extent also economic potential, as shown by the the elites, in everyday life there would have to consecutive years of activity of the Euroregion be permanent contacts and exchanges, flows of “Beskidy” (2005-2015). Examples of successful values, and not only on the occasion of initiatives in this regard include: the Euroregional and territorial cooperation “Entrepreneurship without borders” project, projects”. Thus, as the Author further states: the training “Legal aspects of safe trade “the defence against the kitsch of cross- cooperation on the Slovak market”, and the borderism is to study the real manifestations of Euroregion “Beskydy” Local Government cross-border cooperation, to study the Tournament. In the current programming period community, its awareness and manifestations of (2014-2020), the Polish side of the Euroregion ties and social contacts across national borders. “Beskidy” – the Association “Region Beskidy” is The existence of a cross-border community is implementing two projects as part of the Cross- certainly desirable from many points of view, border Cooperation Programme Interreg VA but one has to be careful. In order not to Poland – Slovakia 2014-2020: “Protection and prematurely announce the success of this great development of natural and cultural heritage of European integration project” (Pokrzywska A.). the border area" and "Development of cross- Analysing the role of the Euroregion border education and lifelong learning” “Beskidy” more broadly, it should be pointed (Sanetra-Półgrabi, S.; Projekty własne out that practically in each of the realized Euroregionu). projects the influence on the level of social Social security as an area of Euroregional security could be seen, especially this role refers cooperation on the example of the Euroregion to the developmental dimension, although “Beskidy” social and community aspects are also present. Before discussing the role of the analyzed Above all, successful tourism projects have Euroregion “Beskidy” in the field of shaping improved the local labour market, upgraded social security in the borderlands, it should be municipal infrastructure linked to the tourism noted that very few studies have been written in and recreation sectors and promoted the this area. Most publications are devoted to the Beskydy area at international tourism fairs. The cooperation of the Police, Border Guards and activity of the Silesian Tourism Organisation, the other formations, including services, inspections Beskid Association of Cyclists or the Association 1 5 ISSN 2522-9842 Journal of Scientific Papers “Social Development and Security”, Vol. 11, No. 2, – 2021

“Pracownia na rzecz Wszystkich Istot” was very exemplified by the conferences “Business important in these fields. [20]. Activator”. From passion to idea and business Tourism, having a strictly integrative activity in tourism, the conference “10 years of character, influenced good neighbourly the Euroregion “Beskidy” or seminars and relations and education. Within the framework trainings (Sanetra-Półgrabi, S.). of the “Beskidy” Euroregion numerous Local authorities in the area of the conferences and seminars were held on the Euroregion “Beskidy” devote relatively much Polish side which in many cases resulted in attention to the process of social exclusion, cross-border publications. Thanks to trying to fight it in all possible ways, including educational initiatives, it was possible to tighten participating as initiators of cultural initiatives, scientific cooperation and there was an including exhibitions, competitions, folklore exchange of good practices and specialist needs. meetings, etc. (Sanetra-Półgrabi, S.). Scientific and educational cooperation can be

Conclusions Social security as a non-military segment of counteracting spatial, communicational and security has a very local, community, social and social marginalisation and the implementation developmental character. It is related to the or co-implementation of preventive totality of institutional, legal, social and programmes or projects aimed at safety and economic undertakings undertaken by the state, crisis management. local authorities and non-governmental On the example of the analyzed Euroregion organisations. It is linked to social policy and “Beskidy” the main initiatives with potential other “soft” areas of security. impact on social security are presented. The This paper points to one of the institutional presented activities are directly or indirectly and legal manifestations of the influence on connected with tourism, so we can risk a social security which is the cross-border statement that in border areas with both natural cooperation established in the form of and cultural values it is possible to build social Euroregions. This is particularly evidenced by safety oriented on local community, its the following activities of the Euroregions: professional, community and development orientation towards the local community, social potential. In case of Euroregion “Beskidy” integration, educational and cultural initiatives, tourism is an important goal of activity and which are intended to bring together, exchange content of other undertakings. All of them are experiences, acquire valuable skills, knowledge intended by local authorities and other of the legal system, institutions, and ways of Euroregion members to bring people closer conducting business in border areas. Another together, to develop social and economic important element within the Euroregions is the development, and to launch other forms of participation in cross-border projects aimed at cross-border partnership cooperation. References Wojciechowski, S., Skrażyński, M., Magiera, M. Leszczyński, M. Bezpieczeństwo społeczne a Teoretyczne i praktyczne aspekty bezpieczeństwo państwa, Kielce 2009 s. 37, bezpieczeństwa Polski, [ w:] A. Wejkszner, S. Leszczyński, M. Wybrane aspekty Wojceichowski, Współczesne bezpieczeństwo bezpieczeństwa społecznego, Ostrowiec Polski. Międzynarodowy wymiar Świętokrzyski – Kielce 2011, s. 58, instytucjonalny, Warszawa 2019, s. 21-25, Hołyst, B. Zagrożenia ładu społecznego, T. I, Jakubczak, R., Kalinowski, R., Loranty, K. Warszawa 2013, s. 27-35, Bezpieczeństwo społeczne w erze Supińska, J. Dylematy polityki społecznej, globalizacji, Siedlce 2008, s. 57-61, Warszawa 1991, s. 56,

1 6 ISSN 2522-9842 Journal of Scientific Papers “Social Development and Security”, Vol. 11, No. 2, – 2021

Szczechowicz, H. Istota i znaczenie Sanetra-Półgrabi, S. Funkcjonowanie międzynarodowej współpracy jednostek euroregionów na pograniczu południowym samorządu terytorialnego, “Zeszyty Polski. Studium porównawcze trzech Naukowe Państwowej Wyższej Szkoły Euroregionów: “Śląsk Cieszyński”, “Beskidy” i Zawodowej we Włocławku”, 2013, t. IX, s. “Tatry”, Toruń 2015. 266. Projekty własne Euroregionu “Beskidy”, Studzieniecki, T. Strategie rozwoju polskich Available from: http://www.euroregion- euroregionów, „Przedsiębiorczość i beskidy.pl/projekty-wlasne/ [data dostępu: Zarządzanie”, 2015, T. XVI, s. 14-15. 15.02.2020] Przybyła, Z. Perspektywy euroregionalizacji Gruszczak, A. Współpraca policyjna w Unii polskiego pogranicza w świetle doświadczeń, Europejskiej w wymiarze trans granicznym. “Przegląd Zachodniopomorski”, 2014, T. 29, Aspekty polityczne i prawne, Kraków 2009, s. 14-19. Ilnicki, M. Służby graniczne w walce z Sanetra-Półgrabi, S. Funkcjonowanie terroryzmem. Polskie warunki ustrojowo- euroregionów na pograniczu południowym prawne, Toruń 2011, Polski. Studium porównawcze trzech Szachoń-Pszenny, A. Acquis Schengen a granice Euroregionów: “Śląsk Cieszyński”, “Beskidy” i wewnętrzne i zewnętrzne w Unii “Tatry”, Toruń 2015. Europejskiej, Poznań 2011, Obszar i liczba mieszkańców Euroregionu Pokrzywska A. – Szklarska, Od granicy do “Beskidy”, Available from: transgranicza. Rozważania teoretyczne na http://www.euroregion- marginesie problematyki euroregionów, [w:] beskidy.pl/euroregion-beskidy-2/o- Z. W. Puślecki (red.), Unia Europejska w euroregionie/ [data dostępu: 14.02.2020] procesie zmian na początku XXI wieku, Toruń Strategia Rozwoju Euroregionu “Beskidy” na lata 2014, s. 117-118. 2016-2023, Available from: Sanetra-Półgrabi, S. Funkcjonowanie http://www.euroregion- euroregionów na pograniczu południowym beskidy.pl/mikroprojekty/interreg-pl- Polski. Studium porównawcze trzech cz/strategia-rozwoju-euroregionu-beskidy- Euroregionów: “Śląsk Cieszyński”, “Beskidy” i 2016-2023/ [data dostępu: 15.02.2020] “Tatry”, Toruń 2015.

1 7