The experience of the European Capital of Culture GO! 2025 and the SPF GO! 2025, financed by the Programme Interreg VI-A Italy - Slovenia 2021-2027 and managed by the EGTC GO, has been featured in the new Interact publication, which showcases successful examples of Interreg small projects from across Europe.

The publication explores how small-scale cooperation initiatives help strengthen territorial cohesion by bringing people together, building trust and turning borders into opportunities for collaboration.

In the chapter dedicated to the cross-border area of Nova Gorica and Gorizia, the publication highlights how the designation of the two cities as European Capital of Culture GO! 2025 has become a powerful driver for cross-border development. Particular attention is given to the SPF GO! 2025, recognized as a key tool for involving local communities and translating the vision of GO! 2025 into concrete people-to-people experiences.

Managed by EGTC GO, the fund grew from an initial allocation of €8.24 million to a total budget of €11.44 million and supported 69 projects through three calls between 2023 and 2025. These initiatives have helped activate shared public spaces, strengthen local networks and foster continuous cross-border interaction throughout the territory.

Among the examples featured are two projects funded through the SPF. The project WALK2SPIRIT created a cross-border walking route linking the Basilica of Aquileia and the Sanctuary of Sveta Gora, promoting sustainable cultural and religious tourism through events, exhibitions and training activities for tour guides.

The publication also highlights the project Ars Sine Finibus, which brought together artists and students from both sides of the border to create an open-air art park across the landscapes of Collio and Brda. The project culminated in the creation of the twin artwork “So(g)no” by artist Marco Nereo Rotelli, leaving a lasting cultural legacy in the area.

The inclusion of EGTC GO and the SPF GO! 2025 in this European publication represents an important recognition of the impact generated by small-scale projects in the cross-border territory. It confirms the value of the SPF as a catalyst for local initiatives and as a concrete example of how European cooperation can create lasting connections between communities.