Informest took part in the 10th edition of the Mediterranean Coast and Macro-regional Strategies Week, held in Izola, Slovenia, from September 15 to 17. The event served as a moment of reflection on the achievements of the past decade and an opportunity to discuss future challenges related to territorial cooperation.

The initiative brought together representatives of the four EU macro-regional strategies (Baltic, Danube, Alpine, and Adriatic-Ionian), including Eva Kos, representative of the Adriatic-Ionian Strategy (EUSAIR), along with policymakers, experts, and academics, to raise awareness on the importance of protecting coastal and maritime areas and the growing need to combine economic development with environmental protection.

During the opening ceremony on September 16, the Mayor of Izola, Milan Bogatič, and Ambassador Barbara Žvokelj from the Slovenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized the crucial role of strategic planning and multilevel dialogue in addressing common challenges in a coordinated way. Although macro-regional strategies may not always produce immediately visible results, they play a key role in linking EU policies with citizens’ needs, adding value to both member and candidate countries.

Topics discussed included climate change risk prevention, urban resilience, enhancement of green infrastructure, and sustainable transport networks across all involved territories.

The future of Cohesion Policy post-2027 was the focus of a high-level panel involving national and EU policymakers. Speakers highlighted the potential of macro-regional strategies to strengthen cross-border cooperation, align national and EU policies, and support candidate countries in adapting to the acquis communautaire. Johan Magnusson (European Commission, DG REGIO) noted that macro-strategies have focused on environmental protection, risk prevention, climate adaptation, and bioeconomy, and are now beginning to explore areas such as digitalization and social issues, calling for greater commitment in these fields.

Another key moment was the panel on the role of macro-regional strategies in the EU enlargement process. Discussions emphasized how macro-regional cooperation fosters mutual trust, promotes regulatory alignment, and enables shared management of cross-border challenges through strategic partnerships. Anna Vezyroglou (European Commission, DG ENEST) reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to enlargement, aiming for full integration of Montenegro by 2028, while supporting a gradual integration approach for other candidate countries, allowing their citizens to experience the benefits of EU membership even before formal accession.

Anthea Sara Mazzucchelli, Deputy Ambassador of Italy to Slovenia, also participated in the debate, reaffirming Italy’s commitment to the enlargement process and highlighting the country’s contribution to specific programs and the dissemination of best practices for transferring administrative and legal knowledge to candidate countries.

Zuica Zmejkovska (EUSAIR Coordinator, North Macedonia) stressed the importance of building lasting networks beyond macro-regional cooperation.

The second day was dedicated to presenting projects and best practices in rural development and the blue economy, structured into four thematic sessions.

The first session featured the SMARTERA project, funded by Horizon Europe. The project aims to revitalize rural communities through digital and non-digital solutions, using participatory and co-design approaches with local stakeholders. With a budget of nearly €7 million and 25 partners from 10 countries, SMARTERA seeks to improve living conditions in rural areas through smart solutions. Its method, called Smart Innovation Packages, consists of four phases and aims to ensure lasting innovations, including recommendations for replication in similar regions and promoting sustainable rural development.

The second session focused on the GROWTH4BLUE project, funded by Interreg IPA Adrion, which aims to bridge the gap between labor market demand and the availability of qualified professionals. Presentations included the “Pact for Blue Skills,” developed under EUSAIR’s Pillar 1, and the “EUSAIR Regional Scale Partnership” initiative, which involves regular online meetings to exchange experiences, information, and best practices in upskilling and reskilling the sustainable blue economy workforce.

The third panel addressed ecological connectivity and green infrastructure, presenting best practices related to ecological corridors. The focus was on spatial planning, highlighting key requirements and essential elements for sustainable development.

Finally, the last session was a space for exchanging ideas and reflections on the blue bioeconomy, focusing on best practices for developing networks dedicated to blue growth and potential tools and funding to support scientific research and the academic community.

Informest’s participation in the event reinforced its commitment to promoting territorial cooperation, actively contributing to the European dialogue on strategic issues for the future of regions.