The Agropol pilot project was set-up as an in-depth and practical exercise to develop and provide practical know-how on how to strengthen the agriculture and food sector through cross-border cooperation. The project supported regional authorities and local actors in two cross-border pilot regions in the development of joint agro-food strategies: Carinthia (AT) - Slovenia and EUROACE [Alentejo (PT) - Centro (PT) - Extremadura (ES)]. Furthermore, the project assisted relevant stakeholders in both regions with setting-up concrete cooperation projects within their strategy. In this way, the project generated practical insights and tools that could be used by other European regions to facilitate cross-border cooperation in the agro-food sector. The experiences drawn from these pilot regions and other cases studied thus serve as a benchmark (or blueprint) for a cross-border agro-food cooperation model. The blueprint’s objective is to provide regional administrations, Rural Development Programme RDP Managing Authorities and National Rural Networks (NRNs) with a realistic insight into the potential and feasibility of cross-border cooperation in the agro-food sector, and offer practical guidance and tools to set-up and organise such cooperation. Hence it aims to help regional actors in realising cross-border cooperation in order to stimulate innovation and growth in the rural agro-based economy. The blueprint thus goes beyond the description of a specific modelled, stylised type or example of cross-border cooperation and is more than a summary of the conclusions of the steps undertaken in the pilot project. Rather, the document is meant as an attractive user-friendly handbook, based on real-life experiences, with important preconditions to fulfil, necessary to do’s, and practical tools and tips for regional actors aiming to set up cross-border cooperation in the agriculture and food sector.