Programme

• Milan Bogatič, Mayor of Izola
• Sławomir Tokarski, Leading Expert on European Territorial Cooperation
• Rok Šimenc, State Secretary, Ministry of Local Self-Government, Cohesion and Regional Development
• Representative of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia, TBC

As we prepare for the 2028–2034 period, the debate on the future of EU common investments and territorial cooperation is becoming increasingly important. The panel will explore how macro-regional cooperation, supported by EU Cohesion Policy programmes (such as Interreg), has contributed to effectively addressing shared challenges across borders, sectors and governance levels.

Drawing on practical examples, from cultural projects to transport infrastructure investments, the discussion will highlight how cooperation among different levels of governance, businesses, EU institutions and sectors can enhance the effectiveness of common investments.

The panel will also examine why macro-regional cooperation will become even more important in the next financial period, particularly given the growing need for projects that demonstrate clear European added value and deliver cross-border solutions.

Panelists:

• Nevenka Kržan, President of the Management Board, Port of Koper
• Johan Magnusson, Team Leader for the EU Strategies for the Danube and Baltic Sea Regions, Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy, European Commission
• Dr Stephan Waggershauser, EUSALP Presidency, Bavarian State Chancellery
• Rui Gomes, Executive Secretary, Enlarged Partial Agreement on Cultural Routes, Council of Europe; Director, European Institute of Cultural Routes

Moderator:

• Dimitrij Pur, National Coordination for Macro-Regional Cooperation, Ministry of Local Self-Government, Cohesion and Regional Development

TBD

As negotiations on the EU Multiannual Financial Framework and the preparation of the 2028–2034 programming period are underway, this panel will explore how to effectively integrate the priorities of EU macro-regional strategies into future EU programmes. The discussion will focus on the programming process, the roles of key stakeholders, and the identification of priorities with the greatest potential for support from future EU funding instruments. It will also examine how macro-regional strategies can serve as a platform for aligning EU investments and reforms and for developing projects that deliver common European solutions.

Panelists:

• Imre Csalagovits, Head of the Managing Authority / Interreg Danube Region Programme
• Dr. Robert Lichtner, Coordinator / EUSDR Danube Strategy Point, EU Strategy for the Danube Region
• Barbara Di Piazza, Head of Joint Secretariat / Interreg IPA ADRION programme

• Johan Magnusson, Team Leader for the EU Strategies for the Danube and Baltic Sea Regions / Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy, European Commission
• Representative of the Italian Presidency of the EUSAIR, TBC

Moderator:

• Matjaž Dragar, Director-General / Managing Authority, Ministry of Local Self-Government, Cohesion and Regional Development

The discussion will focus on the potential of the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe as an established model for advancing sustainable tourism objectives within the framework of EU macro-regional strategies. Drawing on experiences from the 2021–2027 programming period, it will highlight their cross-sectoral contribution to innovative tourism products and sustainable destination management, as well as the ways and impacts of their cross-border and transnational cooperation in addressing shared challenges across Europe and beyond.

The panel will also explore the European added value of Cultural Routes and the opportunities they may provide for innovative and sustainable investments in the 2028–2034 programming period. It will further reflect on possible approaches to aligning priorities and shaping future mainstreaming funding opportunities, building on existing cooperation and shared policy objectives.

Panelists:

• Robert Lichtner, Coordinator / EUSDR Danube Strategy Point, EU Strategy for the Danube Region
• Tomaž Konrad, MSc. / Assistant to the CEO, EGTC GO
• TBC

Moderator:

• Irena Marš, Member of EUSAIR TSG 4 and EUSDR PA 3, and Member of Governing Board of the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe  Ministry of Culture of Republic of Slovenia

EUSAIR provides a unique framework in which EU Member States and candidate countries cooperate on an equal footing, supporting alignment with EU policies, strengthening capacities, and facilitating participation in EU programmes and funding frameworks.

Within this context, a study under the EUSAIR Facility Point in cooperation with StEP and SP4EUSAIR projects is exploring how to better translate macro-regional priorities into concrete cross-border innovation initiatives by linking EUSAIR priorities with regional Smart Specialisation (S3) capacities and stakeholders.

While EUSAIR has been successful in developing and supporting strategic and flagship projects across several thematic areas, the translation of cooperation into a more systematic pipeline of cross-border innovation initiatives remains less developed. Strengthening this dimension is particularly relevant for candidate countries, as innovation-driven cooperation can support economic development, enhance regional stability, and facilitate alignment with EU innovation ecosystems.

The workshop planned within 2026 Mediterranean Coast and MRS days is conceived as a practical step in this direction. It will serve as a working space to connect priorities, stakeholders, and capacities, and to begin shaping a first set of cross-border innovation initiatives. In doing so, the event will demonstrate how macro-regional cooperation can deliver concrete added value for enlargement countries through joint project development and stakeholder cooperation in innovation.

Workshop aims

• Identify EUSAIR related innovation project concepts through the 4+1 project maturation model;
• bring together relevant policy, research, market, operational and financing actors from across the EUSAIR area;
• sharpen the problem definition, policy relevance and interregional added value of each identified concept;
• define the initial concept architecture, potential pilots, partnership needs and critical evidence gaps;
• agree on a practical roadmap for feasibility assessment, project preparation, financing and further maturation;
• capture lessons to strengthen the wider EUSAIR project development pipeline.

Moderator:

• Jurij Kobal / Bioinventa d.o.o.
• Domagoj Šarić / Bioinventa d.o.o.

As Europe prepares for the 2028–2034 financial period, coordinated transport investments across macro-regions are becoming increasingly essential. The panel will explore how cooperation between the Danube, Adriatic–Ionian and Alpine regions strengthens the efficiency of European transport flows—from Mediterranean ports, across Alpine crossings, to the Danube hinterland.

Drawing on practical cases, including the extension of the Western Balkans–Eastern Mediterranean (WBEM) European Transport Corridor (ETC), the discussion will highlight how harmonised planning, digital integration and joint corridor development can reduce bottlenecks and improve both freight and passenger mobility.

The panel will also examine why inter-macro-regional coordination will be crucial in the next period, particularly for projects demonstrating clear European added value and delivering cross-border, climate‑resilient transport solutions.

Panelists:

• EUSALP AG4 / coordinator– Alpine Transit
• EUSDR / coordinator – Danube Hinterland
• TSG2 / coordinator
• Transport Community / GA AWB – WBEM Corridor Integration

Moderator:

• Franc Žepič, National Coordination for Macro-Regional Cooperation – deputy

TBD

Mediterranean territories face increasing climate pressure — urban heat, carbon emissions, land degradation, pressure on ports and coastal zones, and biodiversity loss. The round table will present tested tools/solutions, governance models, and implementation pathways that municipalities can directly use.

The aims of this round table are:

• Present practical, transferable solutions developed within Interreg Euro-MED thematic projects.
• Demonstrate how Mission Green Living Areas delivers concrete tools and methodologies.
• Provide local authorities with actionable insights for implementation.
• Encourage replication, cooperation, and scaling across Mediterranean territories.

Panelists:

• Albert Cozzi / Port Network Authority of the Eastern Adriatic Sea – Port of Trieste -Italy (RENEWPORT- RES toolkit for MED ports)
• Hrvoje Maras / North-West Croatia Regional Energy and Climate Agency – Croatia (INFIRE-Innovative Financing solutions for climate planning of Resilient and carbon neutral living areas
• Francesco Filippi / MUSOL Foundation-Spain (LOGRENER toolkit for local authorities to plan and deploy the sustainable energy transition)

Moderator:

• Danilo Čeh / Scientific Research Centre Bistra Ptuj (leader of Green Living Areas Community of Interreg Euro-MED)

TBD

The event will bring together EUSAIR Pillar 3 coordinators, IPA ADRION programme representatives, project partners, national authorities, experts and stakeholders to strengthen cooperation on environmental quality in the Adriatic-Ionian region. Through keynote inputs and parallel Mission Tables, participants will explore how IPA ADRION-funded projects contribute to EUSAIR Pillar 3 priorities, including marine and coastal environments, terrestrial biodiversity, ICZM/MSP and pollution reduction. The workshop will focus on identifying synergies, implementation gaps and opportunities for future transnational cooperation. Expected outputs include four Mission Briefs, a mapping of projects against the EUSAIR Action Plan, and at least four project ideas to support future funding alignment, policy uptake and a stronger connection between EUSAIR strategic priorities and territorial needs.

Panelists:

• Representatives of the Interreg IPA ADRION Programme
• Representatives of the following projects:
• CRADLES, BLUEQ, PREBIODUNES, SAMESEA, ASAP, MISSION4WATER, TETHYS4ADRION, 4PETHABECO, BIOMIMICRY, ADRISKY, ECOBASE, PROMONT

TBD

The session will present preliminary findings from the MEDIGREEN project on the role of Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) in supporting the ecological transition at sea. It will examine how MSP plans and implementation actions address key European Green Deal priorities across maritime sectors, with specific attention to their relevance for the Adriatic-Ionian region.

The session will also introduce the MED-MSP-CoP initiative, outlining its organisational structure, objectives, recent achievements and future activities as a platform for knowledge exchange and cooperation. Opportunities for engagement by stakeholders, institutions and MSP practitioners from the EUSAIR region, including non-EU countries, will be highlighted.

MEDIGREEN is an EMFAF co-funded project exploring how MSP can strengthen green transition actions in fisheries, aquaculture, offshore renewable energy and nature protection across the Mediterranean. Both parts will conclude with an interactive debate.

Panelists:

Short introduction to the session and the MEDIGREEN project (M. Bocci, CORILA)

First part: MEDIGREEN Evidence in support of EUSAIR

• The state of play of sector-related EGD components in MSP plans of the EU MED countries (M. Bocci, CORILA)
• Examples of national actions to strengthen EGD components in MSP (F. Carella, IUAV)
• Discussion of interest/transferability of the results in the EUSAIR

Second part: MSP-MED-CoP to strengthen EUSAIR cooperation

• The MSP-MED-CoP: structure, objectives, achievements and future plans (E. Ramieri, CNR)
• Non-monetary value of maritime sectors in the Mediterranean and its implications for MSP communication (F. Soffietti, IUAV)
• Discussion of interest/transferability of the results in the EUSAIR

The side event will be held in Slovenian only.

The research project (ARIS No. V1-24035), funded under the 2024 Target Research Programme (CRP 2024), developed a methodology and practical guidance for assessing the impacts of human activities on the status of marine waters, in accordance with the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD).

The methodology addresses gaps in current assessments of the impacts of interventions on the status of marine waters by integrating MSFD descriptors. It is underpinned by scientific evidence, a legislative review, analysis of EU practices, mitigation measures, analysis of links between pressures and MSFD descriptors, monitoring recommendations, and testing of the proposed methodology through a case study.

The event will showcase the developed methodology and guidance and highlight their application in future environmental impact assessments.

Panelists:

• dr. Vesna Flander Putrle / Morska biološka postaja, Nacionalni inštitut za biologijo
• dr. Katja Klančnik Židan / Inštitut za vode Republike Slovenije