In 2026, the EGTC GO will continue to support cooperation and joint growth among the municipalities of Gorizia, Nova Gorica and Šempeter-Vrtojba through programmes and projects based on a shared strategy, building on the significant experience gained in recent years. This was also discussed at the ordinary assembly, held on Friday, December 12th at the organisation’s headquarters, during which the draft budget for 2026 was approved.

“The experience of GO! 2025 has further strengthened the EGTC GO, making us even better prepared, in 2026 and in the years to come, to contribute to the development of our cross-border territory. The EGTC GO is not merely a local instrument: it is able to represent the needs of the territory with authority in broader institutional contexts, including at national and European level. Over the years we have built a solid reputation, the result of constant work and increasingly close cooperation with the community. This cooperation has also taken shape through the territorial network created thanks to the Borderless Wireless platform, which has enabled us to engage in dialogue, plan and grow together. We want to continue along this path, making full use of the wealth of relationships and expertise we have built,” said Director Romina Kocina. She also presented to the members of the assembly and to the three mayors of Gorizia, Nova Gorica and Šempeter-Vrtojba the main activities planned for 2026, summarised below.

1. Post GO! 2025 capitalisation

Management of the GO! 2025 brand: after more than 590 requests for use (January 2024–November 2025), the process of granting and monitoring the use of the tourism and cultural brand will continue, following its great success among local stakeholders.

Cross-border territorial network: following the work carried out together with around twenty institutional partners from the wider border area, efforts will continue towards the creation of a permanent coordination forum aimed at sharing a cross-border strategic plan for sustainable tourism.

GO! 2025 platform: the platform will be maintained and streamlined as a tool for cultural and territorial promotion, including all its digital components (web app and web TV).

Events: the organisation will continue to organise and co-organise major cross-border initiatives, selecting together with the municipalities those to be developed over the long term.

Small Projects Fund: activities of the fund financed by the Interreg Italy–Slovenia Programme 2021–2027 will continue. The fund has already supported 56 projects; the results of the third call, which is expected to finance a further dozen cross-border initiatives, will be announced shortly.

Monitoring: together with ISIG and Bocconi University, the assessment of the impacts of GO! 2025 will continue, with a cross-border citizens’ assembly planned for 2026.

2. European project development

The EGTC GO manages over €935,000 across seven active European projects running between 2025 and 2027 (BorderLabs CE, BeWoP, Cyclepromotion, FLIP, Sanitas, EGTC NET, Connect) and has submitted eight new project proposals under European calls, for which results are pending. The network of international partnerships continues to expand.

3. Management of cross-border spaces

Following the study on the management of major events in the shared Transalpina Square, the EGTC GO has applied—together with the EGTC Euregio Senza Confini—to the BRIDGEforEU call for the creation of a Cross-Border Coordination Point, a national-level coordination hub dedicated to resolving administrative obstacles between Italy, Slovenia and Austria.

4. Infrastructure investments

In the first half of next year, construction works are expected to begin on the green border strip near the San Gabriele Street border crossing (Phase 2 of the redevelopment project).

5. Strengthening governance

A streamlining of the seven permanent committees of the EGTC GO is planned, including mergers and the inclusion of new members in order to focus activities on strategic themes. Among the most active committees are those dealing with spatial planning, health and transport.

“Since its establishment in 2011, the European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation of Gorizia, Nova Gorica and Šempeter-Vrtojba has been regarded as an international ‘best practice’,” said President Paolo Petiziol. In addition to the awards and recognitions received in the past, over the last year it has been the subject of study by Italy’s National Research Council (CNR), selected by the Slovenian Ministry of Cohesion as a virtuous example, and taken as a model in Brussels during the European Week of Cities and Regions, to name just a few examples.