The 11th Mediterranean Coast and Macro-Regional Strategies Week will take place from 15 to 17 September 2026 in Izola, Slovenia, bringing together policymakers, practitioners, researchers, businesses, civil society organisations and project partners from across Europe and beyond.
This year’s edition will be held under the motto:
Macro-Regional Strategies in Action: What Becomes Possible
Over the years, the event has evolved into a recognised platform for exchanging experiences, generating new ideas and building partnerships that support cooperation across borders, sectors and governance levels. Through discussions, workshops and networking opportunities, participants explore practical solutions to shared regional challenges and identify new opportunities for joint action.
At a time when Europe is preparing for the next programming and financial period, the event will showcase how macro-regional cooperation can move from strategy to implementation, transforming shared priorities into practical solutions, joint projects and long-term partnerships. The Week will highlight the growing role of macro-regional strategies as platforms for cooperation, investment, innovation and policy coordination, demonstrating their capacity to deliver tangible results for territories, communities and citizens.
A central theme of the 2026 edition will be the future of EU Cohesion Policy and the 2028–2034 programming period. Participants will explore how macro-regional cooperation can support smart investments, strenghten territorial cohesion, enhance competitiveness and resilience, and contribute to projects with clear European added value. Particular attention will be given to the opportunities and challenges emerging from the evolving European policy and funding landscape, and to the role macro-regional strategies can play in shaping future European priorities.
The programme will also emphasise the increasing importance of cooperation between European macro-regions, including the Adriatic-Ionian, Danube and Alpine regions. Through joint discussions and initiatives, participants will examine how different macro-regional strategies can contribute to common European objectives in areas such as connectivity, competitiveness, sustainability and territorial development.
A particular focus of this year’s event will be the contribution of macro-regional cooperation to EU enlargement. The programme will explore how macro-regional frameworks help candidate countries strengthen capacities, build partnerships, align with European priorities and participate more actively in European cooperation initiatives. Innovation-focused discussions will demonstrate how cooperation between EU Member States and candidate countries can help create new development opportunities, strengthen regional resilience and support integration into European innovation ecosystems.
Innovation and competitiveness will feature prominently throughout the event. Dedicated sessions will focus on Smart Specialisation strategies, innovation ecosystems and cross-border cooperation mechanisms aimed at transforming regional strengths into concrete cooperation opportunities. Participants will discuss how knowledge, technology, territorial capacities and stakeholder networks can be mobilised to develop future innovation initiatives across the Adriatic-Ionian region.
The event will also address the future of sustainable mobility and connectivity, exploring how coordinated transport investments and stronger interregional cooperation can improve European transport corridors, enhance connectivity and support more resilient transport systems. Discussions will highlight the importance of coordinated planning and cooperation among macro-regions in addressing future mobility challenges.
Environmental sustainability will remain at the heart of the programme. Discussions will focus on environmental quality, biodiversity, maritime spatial planning, climate adaptation, pollution reduction and the sustainable management of marine and coastal areas. Participants will learn from practical examples, cooperation projects and policy initiatives that already contribute to environmental resilience and sustainable development across the Adriatic-Ionian region and the wider Mediterranean.
Another important dimension of the event will be the contribution of culture and sustainable tourism to territorial development. Dedicated discussions will explore how Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe and broader cultural cooperation initiatives can support innovative tourism models, sustainable destination management and new opportunities for investment and transnational cooperation.
Beyond policy discussions, the programme will place strong emphasis on practical cooperation, project development and partnership building. Workshops, matchmaking activities, stakeholder dialogues and interactive sessions will provide opportunities to identify cooperation partners, generate new project ideas and discuss future joint actions. The Week is designed not only as a forum for exchanging views, but also as a platform for launching cooperation processes and supporting concrete follow-up initiatives.
Over three days, the Mediterranean Coast and Macro-Regional Strategies Week 2026 will demonstrate how macro-regional strategies move from policy dialogue to implementation. Through joint initiatives, project development, stakeholder cooperation and practical solutions, the event will showcase what becomes possible when regions, institutions and communities work together across borders. By fostering cooperation across sectors, governance levels and territories, the Week will demonstrate that cooperation across borders is key to building a more sustainable, innovative and connected Europe, while contributing to a more competitive and resilient European future.
The full programme and registration details are available HERE.