On June 5 and 6, the kick-off meeting of the EGTC-NET project: A Network for Cooperation, co-financed by the European Union under the Interreg VI-A Italy-Austria 2021–2027 programme, was held in Bleiburg, Carinthia. The event was also attended by the Deputy Director of EGTC GO, Tomaž Konrad, and the EU Project Officer Ezio Benedetti, as representatives of EGTC GO, a partner in the project.

The EGTC-NET project is based on the need to reduce and eliminate cross-border administrative and legal obstacles that affect the functioning of EGTCs. The aim is therefore to create the first sustainable network among five EGTCs within the Interreg Italy-Austria programme area, while also exploring potential solutions to the identified challenges. Among EGTC-NET's strategic objectives is the establishment of a permanent working group to ensure the medium- and long-term sustainability of the solutions adopted, along with the drafting of a joint document analysing the potential impact of the recent Regulation of the European Parliament and Council on the facilitation of cross-border solutions (BRIDGEforEU).

The lead partner of the project is the EGTC Euregio Senza Confini, which will carry out the work together with the project partners Eurac Research, EGTC GO, EGTC Geopark Karawanken, EGTC Euregio Connect, and EGTC Alpine Pearls. The kick-off meeting, held in the scenic setting of the Geopark Karawanken, was attended by representatives from each project partner, as well as institutional representatives and local stakeholders. It was a valuable opportunity for dialogue and sharing, marking the beginning of a joint effort to break down the barriers to cross-border cooperation.