ULYSSES is an ESPON 2013 project that aims at using applied research results from previous ESPON projects as a yardstick for decentralised cross-border spatial development planning. Multi-thematic territorial analyses will be carried out in six European cross-border regions with the aim of identifying territorial drivers and dynamics. ULYSSES represents the new "Targeted Analysis" type of ESPON projects that are implemented in partnership with local stakeholders. ULYSSES project is thematically cross-cutting and it explores following territorial issues and challenges pin-pointed by EU policy orientations and previous ESPON projects: (1) Territorial socio-economic dynamics including patterns of cross-border polycentric development, urban-rural relationship, accessibility and connectivity of the regions and effects of demographic change. (2) Territorial performance dynamics picturing the performance of the cross-border areas in relation to the revised Lisbon Strategy and the Gothenburg Strategy.

My case study in ULYSSES project is EUREGIO KARELIA consisting of three Finnish provinces and the Republic of Karelia in Russian Federation. This case study offers an intriguing addition to current European spatial development planning discussion, because it addresses a region that is not only a sparsely populated rural area and periphery both from national and European perspectives, but a region spanning to EU Eastern Neighbourhood. The study is relevant also for the Nordic-Baltic countries, since besides Finland Russia shares a land border with Norway, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. From practical point of view this case study offers many challenges starting from data collecting and modifying indicators in case of data gaps. In my presentation I will share my impressions and experiences from the first five-month period on the topic. This study will contribute to my doctoral thesis, which is dedicated to cross-border developments at Finnish-Russian border area.