This article explores the evolution and current role of territorial cooperation in Europe, highlighting its dual institutional anchoring in the European Union and the Council of Europe. While often seen as an elusive objective, territorial cooperation is emerging as a key driver for sustainable development and cohesion, especially in border regions. Through a focus on legal instruments such as Interreg and the European groupings of territorial cooperation (EGTC), the paper traces both institutional advances and enduring obstacles – especially in the context of recent global crises and energy transition. Particular attention is given to the Italy-Slovenia cross-border cooperation framework and to the strategic role of Friuli Venezia Giulia, both as a border region and as a laboratory of innovative governance. The article concludes that, while territorial cooperation never seems to work – until it does – it remains essential for addressing transboundary challenges in an era of overlapping crises.
