On 7 February 2025, the Museum of Byzantine Culture in Thessaloniki hosted a landmark event titled “Unlocking Opportunities for Post-2027 Europe: EUSAIR, Interreg, and Cohesion Policy in Joint Action.” organised by the Greek Presidency of EUSAIR and the Managing Authority “Interreg 2021-2027”, the hybrid event brought together over 150 participants to discuss the future of European regional development.
Key highlights of the event included:
- Presentations on the “Harvesting Report Post 2027” consultation results for Interreg Greece-Albania, Greece-Italy, and Greece-North Macedonia programmes.
- Showcases of successful Interreg projects from the 2014-2020 period, demonstrating practical contributions to the Adriatic-Ionian Strategy.
- Discussions on simplifying procedures, increasing infrastructure investments, and promoting innovative projects as priorities for future Interreg programmes.
- Identification of main cooperation challenges, including bureaucracy, communication gaps and language barriers.
- Focus on environmental protection, natural resources, economic development and research and innovation as key areas for future cooperation.
The event featured speeches from high-level officials, including representatives from the EU’s DG REGIO, who presented results of the consultation on Cohesion Policy and the future of Interreg Programmes after 2027.
The event also underscored the importance of continued regional cooperation and integration within the Adriatic-Ionian macro-region. This collaborative dialogue marks a significant step towards shaping a more cohesive, prosperous and innovative Europe beyond 2027, emphasising the crucial role of youth engagement and strengthened regional dimensions through macro-regional strategies and Interreg programmes.