Interreg: Five Borders, Twenty-Six Regions, One Shared Europe

! ADMISSION INFORMATION !

Please show the QR code, which is valid only as of 10.30 am Greek time (CET +1) on Sunday 6 September 2026

Interreg Greece–Albania at the

90th Thessaloniki International Fair

The General Secretariat of Partnership Agreement of the Hellenic Ministry of National Economy and Finance and the Managing Authority “Interreg 2021–2027” invite you to the event:

“Interreg: Five Borders, Twenty-Six Regions, One Shared Europe”

The event will take place on Sunday, 6 September 2026, from 12:00 to 13:00, at Pavilion 13, Ministry of National Economy and Finance, within the framework of the 90^th Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) in Thessaloniki.

Dedicated to the five Interreg cross-border cooperation programmes managed by the Managing Authority “Interreg 2021–2027” — Interreg Greece–Albania, Interreg Greece–Bulgaria, Interreg Greece–Cyprus, Interreg Greece–Italy and Interreg Greece–North Macedonia — the event will highlight how European Territorial Cooperation transforms common cross-border challenges into joint solutions and tangible benefits for citizens, local communities and regions.

The event will open with a welcome address by Nikos Papathanasis, Alternate Minister of National Economy and Finance, followed by a discussion on “Cohesion Policy and European Territorial Cooperation: Present and Future”, with the participation of Vasiliki Pantelopoulou, Secretary General of the Partnership Agreement, and Maria Sioliou, Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO), European Commission.

At the heart of the event, the session “Interreg Talks: Cooperation Finds Its Voice” will bring together Regional Governors and project beneficiaries from across the five programmes’ eligible areas. Through five thematic stories, speakers will present concrete examples of how Interreg cooperation supports social cohesion, civil protection, health, culture and tourism, as well as circular economy.

Within this framework, Interreg VI-A IPA Greece–Albania 2021-2027 Programme will be represented in the thematic discussion on Circular Economy.

The discussion will feature:

• Georgios Amanatidis, Regional Governor of Western Macedonia
• Periklis Kafasis, Director of Supplies, Services & EU Projects of Waste Management Western Macedonia S.A. (DIADYMA S.A.)

The discussion will focus on two strategic projects of the Interreg Greece–Albania Programme: CIRCLE — Circular Economy Park and DIGITAL — Introducing digital tools for monitoring waste management in urban areas.

The two projects demonstrate how cross-border cooperation can support more sustainable and liveable local communities. Through circular-economy solutions, innovation, digital tools and improved waste-management practices, they aim to contribute to environmental protection, more efficient use of resources and an improved quality of life for citizens in the eligible area.

The CIRCLE project, led by DIADYMA S.A., includes the development of the Innovation and Circular Economy Centre in Western Macedonia, promoting pilot applications, knowledge transfer, training and the recovery and valorisation of agricultural and water-related waste streams. The project brings together DIADYMA S.A., the Hellenic Recycling Agency and the Albanian Municipalities of Fier and Pogradec.

The DIGITAL project promotes the use of smart waste-management tools in urban areas. It includes smart bins equipped with sensors, magnetic cards and precision weighing systems, supporting the “Earn As You Throw” approach and encouraging the separation of recyclable materials at source. The partnership brings together Greek and Albanian authorities and waste-management bodies, including actors from the Waste Management Associations of Western Macedonia, Epirus & the Ionian Islands on the Greek side and Regional Council of Berat and Municipality of  Himarë in Albania.

The participation of Western Macedonia in the event is particularly meaningful at a time when the Region is facing demographic and developmental challenges. The circular economy can contribute not only to better environmental services, but also to new skills, innovation, green employment opportunities and more attractive local communities — essential elements for a region that seeks to create realistic prospects for its residents, especially young people.

The event will conclude with the presentation of “Bridge for EU” by Maria Nezeriti, Head of the Managing Authority “Interreg 2021–2027”. The presentation will introduce the Greek Cross-Border Coordination Point, a new mechanism aimed at helping remove cross-border obstacles between Greece, Bulgaria, Italy and Cyprus.

📅 Date: Sunday, 6 September 2026
🕛 Time: 12:00–13:00
📍 Venue: Pavilion 13, Ministry of National Economy and Finance, TIF-Helexpo, Thessaloniki
🗣️ Working language: Greek
🔴 Live streaming: Interreg Greece YouTube Channel

Please note that the event will be carried out in Greek language.

For the official agenda in Greek and English and further information, please visit the Managing Authority “Interreg 2021–2027” event page