The event will showcase best practices in implementing the “From Source to Sea” approach to enhance climate resilience in the Danube River Basin and along the coasts of the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. It will highlight synergies between the implementation of regional conventions and EU macro-regional strategies, with a particular focus on the achievements of the EUSAIR. The session will address one of the most pressing challenges of climate change: the flooding of coastal and riverine areas due to sea level rise and more intense storms. Good practices in flood mitigation and protection will be presented, along with proposals for concrete actions in specific environments such as urban centres and coastal protected areas (e.g. salt pans, wetlands). Special attention will be given to strengthening bilateral, sub-regional, regional, and inter-regional cooperation in addressing the triple crisis of pollution, biodiversity loss, and climate change. The discussions will take into account the latest findings and recommendations from the EU and the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC), to be held in Nice, France, in June 2025.

Speakers

Welcome Coffee

Welcome speeches

• Milan Bogatič, Mayor of the Municipality of Izola
• Jože Novak, Minister, Ministry of Natural Resources and Spatial Planning of the Republic of Slovenia
• Costas Kadis, Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans (Video Message)

9:20 – 10:30 SETTING THE SCENE PURPOSE OF THE WORKSHOP – THE ROLE OF INTERREGIONAL COOPERATION IN ENHANCING CLIMATE RESILIENCE FROM SOURCE TO SEA

• Mitja Bricelj, EUSAIR Pillar Coordinator for TSG 3, Slovenia, MODERATOR 
• Senad Oprašić,  EUSAIR Pillar Coordinator for TSG 3, Bosnia and Herzegovina 
• Tatjana Hema, MAP Coordinator, Coordinating Unit for the Mediterranean Action Plan, United Nations Environment Programme, Barcelona Convention Secretariat (video message)   
• Birgit Vogel, Executice Secretary, International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River 
• Iryna Makarenko, Permanent Secretariat, Commission on the Protection of the Black Sea Against Pollution (Bucharest Convention) 

10:30 – 11:00  Keynote speaker – Jože Novak, Minister of Natural Resources and Spatial Planning, Slovenia

11:00 – 12.00 TRANSBOUNDARY AND SUBREGIONAL COOPERATION

• Lidija Globevnik / Mitja Bricelj, Ministry of Natural Resources and Spatial Planning): Increasing resilience from source to sea 

• Sašo Šantl and colleagues,  Institute for Water of the Republic of Slovenia: Blue and green infrastructure in spatial planning 

• Tomaž Rodič, Slovenian Centre of Excellence for Space Sciences and Technologies: Contemporary tools to strengthen the resilience of human settlements 

15:00 – 16:20 INTEGRATED WATER AND COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT FOR CLIMATE RESILIENCE

• Dragan Željko - Executive Secretary, International Sava River Basin Commission
• Ivan Sekovski (PAP/RAC Split) - From Risk to Resilience: Coastal Plans for a Changing Climate in Mediterreanean region
• Jerneja Penca - Adaptation for Slovenian Coast through Collaboration: Visioning of Diverse Future Scenarios and Participatory Planning of Public Space

16:20 - 17:45  CASE STUDIES OF INTERVENTIONS IN THE ADRIATIC-IONIAN REGION

• Vlado Malačič - Key Oceanographic Conditions for Coastal Defense Design in Slovenia  
• Institute for Water of the Republic of Slovenia (speaker TBC) - Current situation and measures to mitigate microplastic pollution in the marine environment, accompanied by an invitation to a temporary exhibition  
• Sebastiano Carrer - The safeguard of Venice and the MOSE system: ecological and social aspects 

18:00 - 18:35 FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEASURES IN THE ADRIATIC-IONIAN REGION

• Gabriel Mezang Nkodo, Presentation of JASPERS programme, advisory assistance for strategies and projects that contribute to a greener, more connected, and more innovative Europe
• EIB/JASPERS representative, Examples of good practices in terms of planning and financing coastal zone resilience projects 

18:35 – 19:05 CASE STUDIES OF INTERVENTIONS IN OTHER EU MACROREGIONS

• Beno Fekonja, EUSDR - PA1b: Water transport
• Jože Papež,  Sustainable and Multifunctional Approaches in Natural Hazard Risk Management: Best Practices from Slovenia's Forests and Torrent Catchments: AG 8 EUSALP

19:05 – 19:40 FROM VISION TO ACTION: CONVERSATON WITH SPEAKERS

Moderator: 

• Peter Vidmar   

Speakers:  

•  Andrej Kryžanowski, Presentation of the sea flood dammage estimation method 

• Primož Banovec, Identification and design of non-structural and structural measures for the adaptation to climate change induced sea level rise in Slovenia 

19:40 – 19:50 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

• Peter Vidmar, together with Senad Oprašić and Mitja Bricelj

A professional event dedicated to the presentation of the ZeleNatura project, which focuses on the role of green infrastructure in enhancing urban resilience to climate change. The event will begin with an overview of the project’s key objectives, activities, and achieved results. This will be followed by a roundtable discussion entitled Strengthening Urban Resilience to Climate Change through the Integration of Green Infrastructure, featuring experts in urban planning, landscape architecture, and sustainable development. The event will conclude with the opening of an exhibition prepared by the Department of Landscape Architecture at the Biotechnical Faculty of the University of Ljubljana, entitled More Trees, Less Sky! Design of the Green System of the Urban Area of Koper and Izola. The exhibition presents an integrated approach to green system design in coastal towns. The event offers a valuable opportunity for the exchange of knowledge, professional experiences, and visions for sustainable urban development.

Welcome speech:  

• Nataša Bratina, Director-General, Spatial Planning and Construction  

Speakers:  

• Nataša Bratina, Director-General, Spatial Planning and Construction  

• Maja Šinigoj, Professional Director of the company  LOCUS prostorske informacijske rešitve d.o.o. 

• Robert Turk, Chairman of the Committee for Environment and Spatial Planning of the Municipality of Izola 

• Darja Matjašec, Landscape architect and Assistant Professor at the Department of Landscape Architecture, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana. 

Presentation of the spatial analysis of the urban area of Izola and Koper, including the design of the green infrastructure system for both cities, accompanied by shading and cooling measures tailored to the historic town centres.

Representatives of the Member States involved in the EU macro-regional strategies, the European Parliament, and the European Commission will have the opportunity to provide a preliminary response to the ongoing debate on the post-2027 Cohesion Policy, with a particular focus on Interreg programmes and cooperation within the framework of EU macro-regional strategies.

This cooperation is closely aligned with the objectives of Cohesion Policy. It reinforces partnerships, facilitates the exchange of experiences, and addresses shared challenges among EU Member States, candidate countries, and third countries. Above all, it enhances the overall impact of investments financed through EU funds."

The distinguished speakers for the official opening of the Mediterranean Coast and Macro-regional Strategies Week 2025 will be:

• Milan Bogatič, Mayor, Municipality of Izola,
• State Secretary, Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovenia

As part of the official opening, a high-level political panel will follow under the title: »Cohesion Policy post 2027: More cooperation, more Europe«.

The panel will be attended by the following distinguished guests:

• mag. Marko Koprivc, State Secretary, Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development of the Republic of Slovenia
• Prof. Dr. Vladimir Prebilič, Member of the European Parliament, Member of the Committee on Regional Development
• Roland Arbter, Deputy Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Climate and Environmental Protection, Regions and Water Management, Directorate III/6 - Coordination Regional Policy and Spatial Planning, EUSDR National Coordinator
• Johan Magnusson, Team Leader for the EU Strategies for the Danube and the Baltic Sea Regions, European Commission, Directorate General for Regional and Urban Policy, Unit D.1 Macro-regions, Transnational/Interregional/External Cooperation, Enlargement.

The panel will highlight the role of macro-regional strategies in supporting the EU enlargement process. The discussion will focus on concrete mechanisms of cooperation with candidate countries and on the challenges and opportunities that enlargement presents for the stability, security, and development of the wider European area. The panel will provide an opportunity for the exchange of views between speakers from Member States, candidate countries, the European Commission and civil society on the mechanisms and the role of EUSDR and EUSAIR in further facilitating the path of candidate countries towards EU integration.

Setting the scene:

Presentation of success stories of macro-regional strategies and tools assisting candidate countries in the accession process (15 minutes):

• Robert Lichtner, Danube Strategy Point Coordinator, EUSDR,
• Eva Kos, EUSAIR Facility Point Coordinator

Panellists:

• Anna Vezyroglou, Deputy Head of Unit, Directorate-General for Enlargement and the Eastern Neighbourhood, B1 – Western Balkans: Regional Strategy & Investments, European Commission
• Anthea Sara Mazzucchelli, Deputy Ambassador of Italy to Slovenia
• Midhat Džemić, National Coordinator for EUSDR and EUSAIR, Directorate for European Integration of Council of Ministers, Presidency of Bosnia and Hercegovina of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region, Bosnia in Hercegovina
• Zuica Zmejkovska, National Coordinator for EUSAIR, Ministry of European Affairs, EU Strategy for Adriatic-Ionian Region Presidency of North Macedonia,
• H.E. Mr Dragan Tufegdžić, Ambassador of Montenegro to Slovenia,
• Peter Grk, Secretary General of the Bled Strategic Forum and Coordinator for the Western Balkans, Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Slovenia

Moderator:

• Ambassador Sabina Stadler Repnik, Head of the Strategic Studies and Analysis Department, Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Slovenia

At the 2025 Mediterranean Coast and Macro-Regional Strategies Week (TSO) in Izola, members of the EU MRS Youth Council will take the stage to share how young people are actively shaping solutions to today’s challenges. Through a dynamic panel discussion, they will present concrete initiatives, entrepreneurial projects, and community-based actions aimed at improving quality of life and fostering a more sustainable and inclusive Europe. The event highlights the importance of youth engagement, offering a platform for their voices, ideas, and innovations to inspire decision-makers and peers across macro-regional strategies. Youngsters from the four existing MRS will contribute their unique regional perspectives and showcase collaborative efforts that bridge borders and generations. A representative of the European Commission will also present the most impactful and supportive activities, emphasizing the crucial role of youth in shaping the future of today’s Europe.

Speakers:

• Lana Rakovec, Slovenia, representing youth within EUSAIR (EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region), Founder of Peak Beats
• Pejo Bosnić, Bosnia and Herzegovina, representing youth within EUSDR (EU Strategy for the Danube Region), Co-Founder of Verdia (Lipa) & EASTok
• Tommaso Barbesino, Italy, representing youth within EUSALP (EU Strategy for the Alpine Region), Founder of CRCL
• Elias Arndt, Germany, representing youth within EUSBSR (EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region), Founder of contags
• European Commission (TBC)

Moderator:

• Oliver Majer, Hackathon-Winning Tech Innovator

Horizon Europe project SmartEra is dedicated to driving the smart transformation of rural areas through advanced technology and innovative solutions. By showcasing concrete pilot actions and the concept of smart innovation packages, the session aims to demonstrate practical approaches for strengthening rural resilience and creating vibrant, sustainable communities. In addition to sharing insights from the project’s implementation, the session will explore the potential for policy uptake of its results from a cross-macroregional perspective.

Moderator:

• Peter Niederer, Swiss Center for Mountain Regions (SAB)

Speakers:

• Gilles Kittel, Team Leader of the South-East Europe team, Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy, European Commission (online)
• Simona Vrevc, Director General at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food of the Republic of Slovenia
• Midhat Džemić, National Coordinator for EUSDR and EUSAIR, Presidency of Bosnia and Hercegovina of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region, Directorate for European Integration, Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Claudia Singer-Smith, Priority Area Coordinator for Priority Area 10 - Institutional Capacities & Cooperation, EU Strategy for the Danube Region, City of Vienna, Austria
• Iva Čaleta Pleša, Deputy Pillar Coordinator for Pillar 4, Sustainable Tourism, EU Strategy for the Adriatic – Ionian Region, Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Croatia
• Matteo Gerosa, Project Coordinator, Fondazione Bruno Kessler
• Milica Kovačević, Project Manager, Slow Food Trebinje Hercegovina 
• Slavica Samardžić, Member of Slow Food Trebinje Hercegovina

GROWTH4BLUE project of IPA ADRION aims to analyze Blue Economy labor market trends in the Adriatic-Ionian Region, identify skills and employment gaps, and develop strategies to promote innovation and technological adoption in key sectors of Blue Economy, related to the sustainable use of the Adriatic and Ionian Sea resources.

The session is dedicated to enhancing and leveraging the productive dialogue of the Transnational Blue Economy Network - established in the context of GROWTH4BLUE project - with a clear governance framework, operational guidelines, and communication mechanisms.

The panel discussions are concentrated on the exchange of research findings and market trends, promotion of transnational investment opportunities, advocacy for policy harmonization across the regions, creation of transnational education and training initiatives, and facilitation of collaborative innovation projects contributing significantly to the sustainable development of the Blue Economy across the Adriatic-Ionian Region.

Moderator

• Mr. Fokion Zaimis, Deputy Governor of Achaia, Region of Western Greece, President of Balka and Black Sea Commission, CPMR (Moderator) 

Speakers 

• Dr. Michael Chatziefstathiou, Coordinator of Pillar 1 (Blue Sustainable Economy) of EUSAIR, Substitute National Correspondent for DCF 

• Prof. Dr Peter Vidmar, Dean and Full Professor at the Faculty of Maritime Studies and Transport, University of Ljubljana 

• Mr. Evangelos Potamianos, Director of Central Fish Market of Patras, Central Markets and Fishery Organizations (OKAA SA)   

• Mr. Mile Boshkov, President of Business Confederation of North Macedonia (tbc) 

• Mr. Carlo Gadaleta Caldarola, Regional Agency for Technology and Innovation, Puglia (on-line) 

 

Ecological connectivity links diverse areas in a green infrastructure system, enabling it to support biodiversity conservation, increasing the resilience of space to climate change, and benefits for people and the economy. In many parts of the landscape, particularly in urbanised areas or areas with extensive transport infrastructure, ecological connectivity is impaired or disrupted. The aim of this event is to highlight the critical points of ecological connectivity at transnational and cross-border level and to shed light on its integration into spatial planning decisions at different levels.

12.45–13.00 Registration 

13.00–13.10 Introduction 

• Overall moderation: Miro Kristan, co-lead of Action Group 7 of EUSALP, Posoški razvojni center Tolmin 

• Welcome address, Nataša Bratina, Director General, Directorate of Spatial Planning and Construction, Ministry of the Natural Resources and Spatial Planning of the Republic of Slovenia 

13.10-15.10 Ecological connectivity from macro and cross-border levels to regional and local levels – opportunities and challenges 

• Blanka Bartol, Directorate of Spatial Planning and Construction, Ministry of the Natural Resources and Spatial Planning of the Republic of Slovenia: Current activities in ecological connectivity in the Alpine Convention and AG7 EUSALP

• Marko Maver, Directorate for Nature Conservation, Ministry of the Natural Resources and Spatial Planning of the Republic of Slovenia: Nature restoration plans and ecological connectivity

• Irena Bertoncelj, Agricultural Institute of Slovenia: Identifying Alpine – Dinaric macroregional ecological connectivity

• Damjana Gantar, Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia: Ecological connectivity in the Alpine space: ecological network by PlanToConnect and potential for inclusion in expert bases for regional spatial plans in Slovenia

• Sussane Glatz-Jorde, E.C.O. Institut für Ökologie, Austria, tbc: Cross- border ecological connectivity in a triangle the area between Slovenia, Austria and Italy

• Rok Černe, Slovenian Forestry Service: Challenges in implementing ecological corridors in practice and a project proposal to address them

•  Bojan Linardić, Ingrid Gojević, Institute for Spatial Development, Ministry of Physical Planning, Construction and State Assets of the Republic of Croatia: Contribution of Croatia (the title to be defined),

15.10-16.00 Discussion and conclusions 

Based on the presentations, a plenary discussion will be held to highlight the integration of ecological connectivity into spatial instruments and nature restoration plans, as well as opportunities and potential for future cooperation in this area at the regional and cross-border levels. 

The panel will explore how connecting existing regional knowledge and initiatives – from networks such as Ocean4Biotech to the thematic S3 partnership Maritime Sustainable Blue Bioeconomy – can already today shape financially attractive interregional blue bioeconomy projects. The focus will be on the idea of establishing the EUSAIR Blue Bioeconomy Acceleration Facility (BBAF) as a flagship project of Pillar 1, which would provide the Adriatic-Ionian macro-region with comprehensive support through a single service point to accelerate the transition of projects from initial concept to investment decision. 

Moderator: 

• Peter Medica 

Speakers 

• Ana Rotter, Ocean4Biotech, National Institute of Biology, Slovenia 

• Tiziana De Nittis, S3 Partnership Maritime Sustainable Blue Bioeconomy, Emilia Romagna Region, Italy 

• Michael Chatziefstathiou, EUSAIR Pillar 1 Sustainable Blue Economy Coordinator, Ministry of Rural Development and Food, Directorate General of Fisheries, Greece 

• Efthalia Arvaniti, SUBMARINER Network for Blue Growth, Baltic Sea Region 

• Domagoj Šarić, Bioinventa d.o.o., Croatia