Interreg Cooperation Day 2026, 25 September 2026 in Patras

Crafting inclusion. Combining artisanal traditions and people with disabilities in Patras. It will be held in Patras, on 25^th September, the Interreg Cooperation Day 2026 organized by the Greece-Italy Programme. The annual celebration of territorial cooperation promoted by the European Commission and celebrated across Europe, this year marks its 15th anniversary, an important milestone that achieved record figures: 1,570 events organized, over 300,000 participants involved, 57 million social media impressions generated, etc.

This edition of the Interreg Cooperation Day will bring together in Patras, crafts and social inclusion from 10 am to 14 pm, during an outdoor traditional festival named “Markatia”, that takes place every year in the historic Markato neighborhood.

The event will join the topics of two projects funded by the Programme in the current programming time (21-27): people with disabilities in the job market (PR.O.GR.E.S.S.project) and recovery of ancient artisanal jobs (M.A.R.K.A.T.O. project).

The projects will power some engaging activities as barriers-free visits to a blacksmith and a distillery, some textile and crafting labs taking place at Aristi’s Lab held by craftsmen and a clay artworks showcase that will be displayed at the Mosaic Hub.

The event will be opened by the institutional greetings of Managing Authority and Joint Secretariat representatives, at the headquarter of the Chamber of Achaia (89-91 Agiou Andreu str.) that is lead beneficiary of M.A.R.K.A.T.O. project, and, by its developmental entity, ACHADE, partner of PR.O.GR.E.S.S. project. The team of both local beneficiaries played a key role in supporting the Programme with regard to the planning, organization and promotion of the event, as well as through the involvement of stakeholders, including Regional Federation of Persons with Disabilities in Western Greece and Southern Ionian Islands and 6th Health Region.