The Interreg Cooperation Day takes place every year in September and was first organized by the European Commission in 2012, in cooperation with Interact, to encourage European territorial (cross-border, transnational and interregional) cooperation programmes to present projects and their results to a wider public by organizing events of a purely local nature. The Interreg Cooperation Day reminds the general public that we can overcome the borders that stand between us by working together.

This year’s SI-HU Interreg Cooperation Day was organised at Babič mill on Mura river, Veržej, in Slovenia on Saturday 14 September, with the participation of more than 180 Slovenian and Hungarian people. The whole-day event took place under the auspices of the Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development, the Managing Authority/Joint Secretariat of the Interreg Programme Slovenia-Hungary.

The emphasis was put on the small-scale projects that are small in size but of great strategic importance. Five of them presented themselves with various shows, handicraft or game activities, exhibition stands: BRIDGE OVER BORDER, Crafts4Future, Folk Music Show, Mills – our mutual value, Namizni Tenis Povezuje. The participants had also the opportunity to get familiar with the project Mura Raba Tour, one of the finalists in the “EU project my project” initiative and a real good example of successful cross border cooperation.

The participants were welcomed by dr. Aleksander Jevšek, Minister of the Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development of the Republic of Slovenia, and Katalin Júlia Pénzes, representative of European Commission, DG Regional and Urban Policy who welcomed the participants and emphasized the high importance of the Interreg programmes and good cross-border relations. Aleš Mrkela, representing the Managing Authority highlighted the importance of supporting small-scale projects, implemented through a simplified process, who enhance visibility and trust among people in the program area and beyond. With these activities they contribute to the program’s results, focusing on building trust, networking, and cooperation, thereby improving the program’s visibility. As such they are of high strategic importance for the programme area and their people.  Jasmina Litrop on behalf of the Joint Secretariat introduced the five small-scale projects presented at the event and wished a nice day to everyone. The introductory part was enriched and followed by folk music melodies played by Prekmurska banda Glasbene šole Beltinci (SI) and Koncz Banda (HU).

The programme then continued with exciting adventures: a paddling trip along the Mura river and a guided hiking tour in the forest around the mill. The participants embarked on a picturesque raft ride, where they were surrounded by magical scenes of the natural beauty of the Mura River. They admired its currents and at the same time learned about its priceless ecological value. During a relaxed walk along the river, they discovered the richness of the local cultural and tourist environment and delved into the importance of preserving natural habitats.

The youngest – but also the older generation – could enjoy handicraft workshops, play bridge or table tennis, look into the unique Babič mill and visit the exhibition stands offering local portraits.

Despite the not so nice weather conditions the participants did not loose their cheerfulness and enthusiasm, the activities, conversations, games and fun continued until late afternoon.

The general aim of the event is to raise awareness of the importance of cooperation and to present some of the project results to the general public and all interested parties. The number of participants in these events each year shows that, despite their small size, cross-border cooperation programmes are becoming more and more visible every year, and the results of the co-financed projects are an indispensable part of the development and improvement of the quality of life in the cross-border area.

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Photos: Interreg SIHU, TV AS, Pomelaj, Stanka Desnik