About

About

– Welcome to Art of Cooperation, a driving force for collaboration among Central and Eastern European Interreg Programmes. Our recent conference in Budapest on 17-18 October 2023, showcased our commitment to fostering co-operation in this region.

For more information about Art of Cooperation, stay tuned for updates on our website. For more information about Art of Cooperation, stay tuned for updates on our website, and don’t miss the video summary of the conference in the Event Gallery.

Central and Eastern Europe is a region with the highest density of borders on the continent, which results in a high concentration of Interreg cross-border cooperation (CBC) and transnational cooperation Programmes, involving the majority of Interreg funding mechanisms as well (ERDF, IPA and NDICI). Our initiative addresses the unique challenges and opportunities arising from the region’s socio-economic context and geographical characteristics.

Our recent conference provided a vital platform for insightful discussions, focusing on challenges like simplified cost options, control systems, electronic management systems and more. The event, complemented by a project fair, facilitated networking and the showcasing of project results.

Art of Cooperation is dedicated to enhancing communication and collaboration among territorial cooperation Programmes in Central and Eastern Europe. As we move forward, we remain committed to addressing the evolving needs of Interreg Programmes in the region…

Plenary roundtable discussion: Quo Vadis Interreg?

A discussion about the past, present and future of Interreg, with the involvement of experienced speakers, who have been active in the field for several decades. The discussion shall include considerations about the beginnings of the Interreg, including the expectations which were formulated at that time. The participants shall review the development of the Interreg Programmes over different periods, highlighting positive and negative trends which led to Interreg as we know it today. Finally, the panel discussion would reflect on the future, on what is desirable and what is realistic to happen with the Interreg on mid and long term: How do we see Interreg in 10/20/30 years?

Moderator: Martin GUILLERMO-RAMÍREZ – Secretary General, Association of European Border Regions (AEBR)

Speakers:

  • Slawomir TOKARSKI – Director, European Commission, DG REGIO
  • Péter KISS-PARCIU – Deputy State Secretary, Head of MA, Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
  • Imre CSALAGOVITS – Head of MA, Interreg Danube Region
  • Sanda ŠIMIĆ STAMBOLIĆ – Assistant Minister of European Integration, Government of the Republic of Serbia, Ministry of European Integration
  • Iulia HERTZOG – Head of MA for Interreg Black Sea, Interreg Romania-Bulgaria, Interreg NEXT Romania-Ukraine Programmes
  • Susanne SCHERRER – former Head of MA/JS, Interreg Baltic Sea Programme
  • Bernadett PETRI – Ministerial Commissioner, Managing Director, Hungarian Development Promotion Office
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Study visit to the Ister-Granum EGTC (Esztergom and Štúrovo)

The Ister-Granum EGTC was established in May 2008 as the second grouping of the European Union with more than 80 members situated around the iconic Mária Valéria Bridge rebuilt with EU support in 2001 (before the accession of Hungary and Slovakia to the Union). The study visit aims to give an overview of the activities, projects, and achievements of the grouping so far and to taste local food whose producers are grouped in a labelled cross-border local product network.

The buses collecting the participants will depart from different districts of Budapest between 8.00 and 9.00 am, and they are expected to be back in Budapest between 4.00 and 5.00 pm on 15 November. One of the buses will serve directly to the airport.

All attendants of the Art of Cooperation conference who registered to the study visit will be informed about further details in due time. Should you need assistance or clarification, please send an email to the organisers: cesci@cesci-net.eu.