The event entitled: “Unlocking Opportunities for Post-2027 Europe, EUSAIR, Interreg, and Cohesion Policy in Joint Action”was successfully organized within the framework of the Hellenic Presidency of the European Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region – EUSAIR, at the Museum of Byzantine Culture in Thessaloniki, on February 7, 2025.

The (hybrid) event, co-organized by the Greek Presidency of EUSAIR (General Secretariat of P.A. – Hellenic Ministry of Economy & Finance) and the MA “Interreg 2021-2027”, was attended by over 150 people who had the opportunity to see interesting presentations focusing on the future of  cohesionthe policy, Europe and the Interreg Programmes, while at the same time they could ask relevant questions.

The event was opened by the important speeches of Ms. A. Zerva, Head of the EYSSAE, Ms. M. Nezeriti, Head of the MA INTERREG 2021-2027, Ms. M. Kostopoulou, Head of Unit A of EYSSAE, as well as Mr. G. Kittel and Ms. H. Sundblad Schaefer (online), responsible for South-East Europe and the EUSAIR team (EU, DG Regio), who reported on the “Results of the Consultation on Cohesion Policy and the Future of Interreg Programmes after 2027“.

Of considerable interest were the presentations on the Methodology and Results of the consultation with stakeholders and citizens on the future of Interreg (Harvesting Report Post 2027) in the context of the three (3) cross-border programmes Interreg Greece-Albania, Interreg Greece-Italy and Interreg Greece-North Macedonia, by representatives of the MA / JSs of the relevant programmes, managed by the MA Interreg 2021-2027, whose countries participate in the EUSAIR.

The contribution to the Adriatic-Ionian Strategy was expressed in a practical way through the presentations of important Interreg projects implemented during the 2014-2020 programming period, within the framework of both the above three programs by the lead beneficiaries and the ADRION program, which is fully aligned with the four (4) Pillars (thematic priorities) of the Adriatic-Ionian Strategy.

In particular, the CheeseCult and ECOfish projects (Interreg Greece-Albania) were presented by Mr. I. Skoufos (Professor of the School of Agriculture of the University of Ioannina), the CoHeN project (Interreg Greece-Italy), Ms. Fr. Georma (Archaeologist of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Aitoloakarnania and Lefkada), the BOPRES project (Interreg Greece-North Macedonia), Ms. P. Christopoulou (Head of the Department of European Projects of Western Macedonia) and the NEORION project (Interreg ADRION), Mr. N. Nikitakos (Professor of the Department of Shipping, Trade and Transport, Aegean University), while a relevant discussion was developed, coordinated by Ms. K. Themeli, National Contact Point of ADRION.

Other presentations included topics on “The Future of Cohesion Policy – ​​EU Macro-Regional and Sea Basin Strategies” (Ms B. Liepa, Project Manager, Interact, Macro-Regional Strategies, MRS Supporting Programmes), “Research on Cohesion Policy and EUSAIR post-2027” (Ms E. Kos, Head of the strategic project “EUSAIR FACILITY POINT” of the ADRION programme), “The value of citizens’ participation in macro-regional strategies” (Mr M. Barabas, Coordinator of the European Corps Budapest, Danubiana Network), as well as topics related to the EUSAIR Youth Council. The event was closed by Ms M. Konstantopoulou, National Coordinator of EUSAIR in the country.

The Agenda of the event can be found HERE