The Art of Cooperation conference took place on 2–3 December 2025 in Budapest. The event opened on 2 December with registration and a welcome lunch, followed by opening speeches and two plenary presentations focusing on Interreg perspectives for the 2028–2034 programming period and the Bridge for EU initiative. After the coffee break, participants joined two workshops addressing Interreg perspectives and challenges for the 2028–2034 period, with a special focus on a performance-based approach, as well as the role of Interreg in eliminating cross-border legal and administrative obstacles. The first day concluded with a networking dinner.
On 3 December, the programme continued with two plenary presentations on capitalisation for the future and Interreg and accession. Following the coffee break, participants took part in two further workshops: one dedicated to turning results into policy and capitalisation for the future, and another focusing on Interreg and accession countries, supporting integration. The event closed with a farewell lunch, providing a final opportunity for exchange and networking among participants.
Event summaries
Opening speeches
Interreg perspectives for the 2028-2034 programming period
Plenary presentation
Speaker:
Simona POHLOVA, Acting Head of Unit, European Commission, DG REGIO D.2.
Short Summary:
The plenary presentation offered a forward-looking overview of what the 2028–2034 programming period could bring for Interreg. It placed European territorial cooperation within the proposed future EU regulatory and financial framework, highlighting both continuity and change. While the core elements of Interreg (including its four cooperation strands, programme-based approach, partnership principle and established management structures) are expected to remain, the next period is likely to bring a stronger focus on performance, results and measurable progress. The presentation also explored how the future Interreg Plan could work in practice, with programme chapters built around territorial needs, cooperation measures, milestones and targets. Particular attention was given to the role of Interreg in supporting integrated territorial development, addressing cross-border challenges, strengthening cooperation governance, and involving candidate and neighbouring countries as full partners in cooperation.
Workshop
“Interreg perspectives and challenges of the 2028-34 programming period with special focus on performancebased approach”
Moderator:
Szabolcs CSAHÓK, INTERACT
Speakers:
Imre CSALAGOVITS, Danube Region Programme
Alexis FRANCOIS, Interreg Europe
Simona POHLOVA, DG REGIO
Áron SZAKÁCS, Hungary-Slovakia-Romania-Ukraine NEXT Programme
Short Summary:
The workshop followed up on the plenary discussion by taking a closer look at the practical implications of the future Interreg framework for 2028–2034, with a particular focus on the performance-based approach. Participants welcomed the continued role of Interreg and its strong European added value, while also underlining the need for a framework that remains realistic, flexible and adapted to the specific nature of cooperation programmes. The discussion highlighted both the opportunities and the uncertainties linked to a stronger results-oriented logic, especially in relation to milestones, targets, financing, audit requirements and legal responsibility in multi-country settings. While there was openness to applying performance-based principles at programme level, participants stressed that Interreg projects need sufficient flexibility to remain innovative, territorial and partnership-driven. The workshop also addressed the early steps of programming for the next period, the importance of clear territorial needs, and the need for stronger coordination among programmes, Member States, Interact and the European Commission. Overall, the session reflected cautious optimism and a shared commitment to shaping a future Interreg framework that preserves the strength of cooperation while responding to new policy expectations.
Bridge for EU
Plenary presentation
Speaker:
Ricardo FERREIRA, Planning and Programming Officer, Border Focal Point, DG REGIO
Short summary:
The plenary presentation introduced the new BRIDGEforEU Regulation as an important step towards identifying and resolving legal and administrative obstacles in European border regions. The session highlighted why border regions matter for territorial cohesion and how unresolved obstacles can limit the full development potential of cross-border areas. It presented BRIDGEforEU as a practical framework that supports Member States, Cross-Border Coordination Points and relevant authorities in assessing obstacles, preparing cross-border files and finding appropriate solutions. Particular attention was given to the role of initiators, the main procedural steps, and the possible links with existing tools (such as b-solutions). The presentation also underlined the European Commission’s coordinating role, including the development of registers, capacity-building support and the facilitation of exchange among actors. Overall, the session showed how BRIDGEforEU can become a useful instrument for strengthening cooperation, improving cross-border public services and unlocking the potential of Europe’s border regions.
Workshop
“The role of Interreg in eliminating cross-border legal and administrative obstacles”
Moderator:
Silvester HOLOP, Hungary-Slovakia Programme
Speakers:
Ricardo FERREIRA, DG REGIO
Nikoletta HORVÁTH, Managing Authority, Hungary
Gyula OCSKAY, CESCI
Katja ROSNER, Upper-Austria
Short summary:
The workshop explored how Interreg can help move from identifying cross-border obstacles to systematically removing them. The discussion showed that legal and administrative barriers are not only technical issues, but they directly affect people’s access to services, the efficiency of cross-border cooperation, and the level of trust between neighbouring regions. Participants highlighted recurring challenges in areas such as healthcare, transport and emergency services, where differences in national rules, administrative procedures or technical systems can prevent otherwise logical cross-border solutions from working in practice. The workshop underlined that Interreg’s added value lies in its ability to bring obstacles to the surface through local and regional partnerships, while also supporting more strategic approaches that go beyond isolated project-level fixes. Particular attention was given to the BRIDGEforEU Regulation and the potential role of cross-border coordination points in creating clearer responsibilities, stronger institutional follow-up and more structured dialogue with competent authorities.
Capitalisation for the future
Plenary presentation
Speaker:
Nicolas GARNIER, INTERACТ
Short Summary:
The plenary presentation focused on how Interreg results can be turned into stronger policy impact and long-term territorial value. Rather than treating capitalisation as a communication exercise at the end of a project, the session presented it as a strategic process that should be built into the full programme and project lifecycle. It highlighted the role of programmes in identifying valuable results, creating links between projects, supporting thematic communities, and helping tested solutions reach new territories, stakeholders and policy processes. Aditionally, projects should respond to real territorial needs, involve end-users, build on existing knowledge and produce results that can be reused, transferred or scaled up. The presentation also underlined that capitalisation and synergies will become increasingly important after 2027, as Interreg programmes will need to demonstrate value for money, project quality and measurable impact. Overall, the session encouraged programmes to move from simply showcasing projects towards actively managing knowledge, strengthening policy links and making Interreg results matter beyond individual project partnerships
Workshop
“Turning results into policy: Capitalisation for the future”
Moderator:
Nicolas GARNIER, INTERACT
Speakers:
Laura COMELLI, Italy-Slovenia Programme
Christophe EBERMANN, Central Europe Programme
Dejan VUJINOVIĆ, Hungary-Serbia IPA Programme
Short Summary:
The workshop took the discussion on capitalisation one step further by focusing on how Interreg results can be reused, combined and translated into wider territorial and policy impact. Participants underlined that capitalisation is not simply about producing follow-up projects or showcasing achievements, but about creating the right conditions for results to travel beyond their original partnerships and territories. The discussion highlighted the importance of long-term trust and experienced partnerships, while also stressing the need to keep capitalisation open to newcomers who can bring fresh expertise, territorial knowledge and innovation. Stronger links with policymakers, better integrated communication and more joint actions between programmes were identified as key factors for making results more visible, transferable and useful. Looking towards the post-2027 period, the workshop confirmed that capitalisation and synergies are becoming central to the future of Interreg, closely linked to value for money, performance, project quality and real policy influence.
Interreg and accession
Plenary presentation
Speaker:
Moray GILLAND, Head of Unit, European Commission, REGIO D.1.
Workshop
“Interreg and accession countries, supporting integration”
Moderator:
Adrienn FUTÓ, Széchenyi Programme Office
Speakers:
Jozef MICHÁLEK, DG REGIO
Iveta PUZO, TESIM
Viktor TUNIC, Hungary-Serbia IPA Programme
Vladimir ZHOGLEV, National Authority, North Macedonia
Short Summary:
The workshop explored the role of Interreg in supporting accession countries on their path towards EU membership and future participation in cohesion policy. The discussion highlighted Interreg as a practical learning environment where candidate countries can work with Member States under shared management rules, gaining experience with programme structures, audits, control systems, financing agreements and partnership-based governance. Particular attention was given to the Capacity for Cohesion initiative, which supports countries such as Moldova, Ukraine, North Macedonia and Albania through tailored training, peer exchange, study visits and exposure to the full programme lifecycle. Participants underlined that, although Interreg represents a relatively small part of the EU budget, its institution-building value is significant: it helps administrations develop the skills, systems and confidence needed to manage future cohesion funds. The workshop also addressed remaining challenges, including staff turnover, limited administrative capacity, procurement, IT systems and the need to preserve institutional knowledge over time.
