The EGTC GO was also represented yesterday and today, 13 and 14 November, at the annual event of the European Cross-Border Platform, held at the Auditorium of Friulian Culture. The event, organized by the European Committee of the Regions, the Association of European Border Regions, the aforementioned platform, and the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, offered an opportunity to present and discuss the needs and potential of border regions, their citizens, and cross-border entities. The event examined the most recent political developments as well as practical experiences, new approaches, and policy solutions for cross-border regions.

Yesterday morning, following the institutional greetings from the Friuli Venezia Giulia Regional Councillor for Production Activities and Tourism, Sergio Emidio Bini, the Gorizia City Councillor for Public Works, Sarah Filisetti, and the Mayor of Nova Gorica, Samo Turel, the European Commissioner for Reforms and Cohesion, Raffaele Fitto, spoke via a video message. During the first round table on the future of cross-border cooperation in a changing world, Director Romina Kocina presented the experience of the EGTC GO, particularly regarding the management of the Small Project Fund (SPF). Kocina stressed the importance of this tool for the development of cross-border collaboration, expressing the hope that it will be included in the next programming period as well.

Several interventions by representatives of various European institutions highlighted the need to bring the demands of border cities and regions to the attention of national institutions and to remind all citizens of the fundamental value of cross-border cooperation as a cornerstone of European life.

Within the framework of European Territorial Cooperation, cross-border cooperation is one of the cornerstones of European integration and the strengthening of the single market. Although progress has been made in recent years to facilitate cross-border interactions, many obstacles remain. Citizens, businesses, and public administrations in border regions continue to face difficulties in their daily lives, whether in finding a job, accessing healthcare, dealing with daily commuting, or overcoming administrative hurdles.

During the afternoon session on border resilience, Federica Gallus, project manager of the EGTC GO, also spoke among the panelists, sharing the experience of the Connect project, which aims to support the creation of joint protocols to address emergencies resulting from climate and environmental crises. The following session, focused on the issue of EU enlargement, featured the participation of the Regional Councillor for Labour, Training, Education, Research, Universities and Family, Alessia Rosolen.

Today’s events, consisting of the annual meeting of all European Groupings of Territorial Cooperation, once again saw the active participation of the EGTC GO. In the thematic morning session, the discussion centered on the added value of the European Groupings as operational tools; Director Kocina presented the example of the EGTC GO as the managing authority of two cross-border ITIs (Integrated Territorial Investments), namely the Isonzo–Soča and Health–Zdravstvo projects, as well as its experience in managing the redevelopment of Transalpina Square / Trg Evrope, an example of joint financing by two states.

The discussion on the future of the EGTCs as a European instrument also included the participation of the Director of the Euregio Senza Confini EGTC, Sandra Sodini (former Director of the EGTC GO).