Abstract:

The aim of this article is to draw attention to Euroregions and their natural role in sustainable development which has become imperative for contemporary socio-economic development. The significance and relevance of Euroregions to statutory objectives are presented. Considering that sustainable development is referred to what is known as the institutional, economic, social and environmental orders, examples are provided.

In the final part (section 3) a detailed analysis of the environmental aspect of sustainable development is provided based on a selected example (Euroregion Niesse-Nisa-Nysa). The choice was not arbitrary as it is the oldest Polish Euroregion, with the greatest working experience which it owes to the competent German partnership, and one with prominent achievements in sustainable development such that it was recently rid of the infamous label of the ‘Black Triangle of Europe’. Euroregionalization in the Euroregion Neisse-Nisa-Nysa (and thus in the Dolnośląskie voivodeship) has contributed to the improvement of indicators of the condition of the natural environment: air pollution has decreased, the share of treated municipal and industrial wastewater has increased, new treatment plants, landfill sites have been established, and the region has the densest water supply, sewage, gas and heating networks to ensure current needs are met in a way that does not jeopardize future generations’ ability to meet theirs. Since sustainable development is regarded as intergenerational solidarity, in Euroregions it occurs naturally and consists in finding solutions that guarantee growth and development and allow for active inclusion of all social groups in development processes, and for mutual benefits.