The final event of the GOV4PeaCE project took place on 21 October at EPIC in Nova Gorica. Funded under the Interreg Central Europe 2021–2027 programme, the initiative aims to strengthen the governance and valorisation of First World War heritage through the creation of a transnational network of museums, research centres and universities, heritage protection bodies and NGOs, with the ultimate aim of creating the future European Walk of Peace 1914–1918.

The event brought together project partners from six Central European countries: Slovenia, Italy, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Belgium. The partnership is led by the Soča Valley Development Centre from Tolmin as the lead partner. Other partners include the Walk of Peace Foundation and the ZRC SAZU Historical Institute Milko Kos from Slovenia; PromoTurismoFVG, VeGAL and the Italian War History Museum of Rovereto from Italy; the City of Gorlice and the Association of the Carpathian Euroregion from Poland; the Administration of the Poloniny National Park from Slovakia; the Municipality of Mórahalom from Hungary; and the In Flanders Fields Museum from Ypres, Belgium.

The associated partnership also includes numerous European institutions involved in the preservation and promotion of First World War heritage, among them EGTC GO, the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Slovenia, Triglav National Park, the Memoriale Veneto della Grande Guerra, Stelvio National Park, Visit Flanders and other organisations from France, Austria, Germany, Romania, Slovakia, Poland and Ukraine.

The central moment of the day was the signing of the GOV4PeaCE Transnational Cooperation Memorandum for the establishment of the European Walk of Peace 1914–1918, endorsed by institutions and partner organisations from several European countries. On behalf of EGTC GO, an associated project partner, the document was signed by President Vesna Humar, reaffirming the organisation’s commitment to territorial cooperation, the shared valorisation of cross-border cultural heritage, and the socio-economic development opportunities offered by sustainable slow tourism.

The event was attended by the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Nataša Pirc Musar, honorary patron of the initiative. Among the institutional guests was also Sergio Emidio Bini, Regional Councillor for Tourism of the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia.