Cooperation is key to a connected, resilient and competitive Europe

The key message of the event was that macro-regional strategies turn European priorities into tangible solutions. | Author Ministry of Local Self-Government, Cohesion and Regional Development

Over the past eleven years, the Mediterranean Coast and Macro-Regional Strategies Week has grown into an important European platform for dialogue among representatives of European institutions, countries, regions, municipalities, research organisations and project partners. This year's event was held under the slogan Macro-Regional Strategies in Action: What Becomes Possible, placing the concrete benefits of cooperation for regions, local communities and citizens at the centre of the discussions.

The key message of the event was that macro-regional strategies turn European priorities into tangible solutions. Europe's future will depend on well-designed investments that strengthen territorial cohesion, competitiveness and resilience, as well as on cooperation across national, sectoral and institutional boundaries.

European Commissioner Raffaele Fitto underlined: "In its fifth report on the implementation of the European Union macro-regional strategies, the European Commission identified Izola as a leading example of good practice in the areas of multi-level governance, cross-border environmental cooperation, European Union enlargement and maritime policies."

The discussions showed that EU Cohesion Policy and macro-regional cooperation are closely interconnected. Their role will become even more important in the next financial period, particularly in developing projects with clear European added value that bring several countries together and provide solutions to challenges that individual countries cannot effectively address on their own.

Particular attention was paid to integrating the priorities of macro-regional strategies into EU programmes and financial instruments for the 2028-2034 period. Participants stressed that preparations for the future European instruments are already underway, making this the right time to identify common priorities and strengthen links between the EU, national and regional levels. A shared understanding of macro-regional strategies and EU programmes will enable more effective joint investments and a more coordinated response to cross-border challenges.

Discussions also focused on the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe as an established model of cross-border and transnational cooperation. Cultural Routes bring together local initiatives, cultural heritage, creativity and sustainable tourism, thereby generating tangible European added value. Participants highlighted the importance of strengthening links between existing initiatives, actively involving local communities and building on solutions that have already proved successful.

In the field of innovation, the event highlighted the link between the priorities of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region and territorial innovation capacities and smart specialisation strategies. Such an approach can turn common challenges into concrete forms of interregional cooperation and enable EU Member States and candidate countries to participate as equal partners.

Participants in the discussions on transport underlined that European transport connectivity cannot be ensured without stronger cooperation between macro-regions and coordinated planning. Sustainable mobility requires multimodal and interoperable transport systems, efficient use of existing infrastructure and faster implementation of resilient cross-border projects. The aim is to translate common strategic priorities into concrete results for passengers, businesses and regions as quickly as possible.

Practical solutions for local communities and ports facing growing climate pressures were also presented. Tools developed under the Interreg Euro-MED programme enable municipalities and other local actors to plan the energy transition, integrate renewable energy sources into ports and develop innovative financing mechanisms for climate action. The key message of the discussion was that proven, free-of-charge and transferable solutions need to reach new areas and be used beyond the environments in which they were originally developed.

The final part of the event focused on environmental challenges in the Adriatic-Ionian region and on linking the environmental priorities of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region with projects under the Interreg IPA ADRION programme. The discussions focused on the marine and coastal environment, terrestrial biodiversity, integrated coastal zone management and maritime spatial planning, as well as pollution reduction. This cooperation strengthens links between programmes, projects, national authorities, experts and other stakeholders, while improving the connection between strategic priorities and the needs of local areas. Participants established joint partnerships and developed concrete project ideas, while also deepening their understanding of the links between Interreg programmes and the main EU programmes, including national and regional partnership plans (NRPPs). One of these initiatives involves the preparation of a plan for preventing pollution caused by accidents at sea. The project will conclude with an international exercise at sea in the Gulf of Koper involving Slovenia, Italy and Croatia, which will take place from 23 to 24 September 2026, thereby strengthening Slovenia's system for preventing and responding to marine pollution.

The three-day event showed that macro-regional strategies are not merely a framework for political dialogue, but also a space for developing concrete projects and common European solutions. Their added value lies in bringing together Member States and candidate countries, regions, cities, institutions, experts and local communities to address challenges that transcend national borders.

At the conclusion of the event, Izola sent a clear message to Europe: a more sustainable, innovative, connected and resilient Europe can be achieved only through cooperation that turns common strategic objectives into tangible benefits for people and the area.