Interreg South Baltic Programme 2021-2027

On 20-21 September, our Annual Event 2022 and the Kick-off event of the new programming perspective 2021-2027 took place in Sopot, Poland, in the marvellous venue of the Sopot Marriott Resort & Spa. The event gathered over 120 representatives of project partners who worked together with Interreg South Baltic throughout three programme perspectives. Moreover, it had the pleasure to host a representative from the European Commission, Katalin Julia Penzes.

The event started with the opening speech by Magdalena Bednarczyk-Sokół (Deputy Director of Territorial Cooperation Department, Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy, acting as Managing Authority) in which has been highlighted the relevance of the South Baltic region and the challenges that it is going to face in the near future. Afterward, Maciej Kautz, the moderator for the first day, held the panel discussion together with Stephan Redlich (Deputy National Coordinator with the Ministry of Economics Mecklenburg-Vorpommern), Niels Chresten Andersen (Centre for Regional Development, IT and Secretariat, Regional Municipality of Bornholm), Sławomir Demkowicz-Dobrzański (Coordinator for International Relations, Region Kronoberg),  Valdas Pučkorius (Director of Administration of Klaipėda Regional Development Council’s Administration) and Piotr Neubauer (Vice-Mayor of the Puck commune).  

“One important thing to understand in addressing a transboundary region is what are the needs and the interests of each participating region, especially with regard to the local societies.” (Niels Chresten Andersen)

Afterward, projects had the chance to present their results to guests with their own stands to advertise their projects. After lunch, the event focused on enhancing networking among the participants, giving them the chance to establish future cooperation in the eve on the new programme. The day ended with a dinner accompanied by Natalia Capelik-Muianga and the band.

The second day of the event opened with a panel dedicated to the European Year of Youth and the European Cooperation Day. Marco Alvi, the IVY volunteer at Interreg South Baltic Joint Secretariat, moderated a panel in which young activists from the South Baltic region participated: Johanna Wyckman (Chairwoman of ERB Youth Board, Region Kalmar County), Greta Tautavičiūtė (Member of ERB Youth Board, Association Klaipeda Region), Michał Stawski (Iława Youth City Council).

“In the regional policy-making process, local stakeholders should be aware of those who are the beneficiaries, namely the young generations of today.” (Johanna Wyckman)

Following this panel, thematic workshops have been organised for participants by the Joint Secretariat team to make them aware about the priorities and news related to the ongoing seven-year programme. Here you can find the workshop presentations:

A big thank you to all the participants who took part in this event! It has been a great occasion to establish fruitful networking, which will be the cornerstone to sail together throughout the new perspective!

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