Territorial cooperation leaves no one behind.
In sunny, still summery Patras, on 25 September 2026, our Programme celebrate the Interreg Cooperation Day, combining artisanal traditions and people with disabilities. The event, named “Crafting inclusion”, was a part of 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.
The event was organized during an outdoor traditional festival named “Markatia”, that takes place every year in the historic Markato neighborhood and combine the topics of two projects funded by the Programme: 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 event started on the headquartier of the Chamber of Achaia and was opened by the official welcome of the president, Theodoros Louloudis, and by Giorgios Simos (Managing Authority), Gianfranco Gadaleta (Joint Secretariat), Panagiotis Sakellaropoulos (Tourism Development of the Region of Western Greece), Ulyana Ivantsik (Regional Federation of People with Disabilities of Western Greece & Southern Ionian Islands) and Vasia Kougia (M.A.R.K.A.T.O. and PR.O.GR.E.S.S. projects). The speakers have been introduced and moderated by Dimitris Karagiannis, general manager of Chamber of Achaia.
Following this introduction session, the event really got into full swing. Two groups, comprising trainers and people with disabilities, made their way through the heart of the Markato neighbourhood and the centre of Patras, visiting artisan workshops where they took an active part in craft workshops. Blacksmith, distillery, textile, clay: the groups have been directly engaged in discovering the most traditional craft techniques by trying at making items with your own hands.
Throughout the morning, in the leafy Kapodistrias Square, the outreach activities continued at the infopoint through direct contact with participants and the people of Patras, including the distribution of information leaflets and promotional items, in a festive atmosphere marked by great curiosity and enthusiasm. Last stop in the Roman Stadium, previously renovated through ‘TheRout_Net’ project, funded by Interreg Greece-Italy 2014-2020.
A key role in organization, planning, organization and promotion of this successful Interreg Cooperation Day, was of the team of Chamber of Achaia 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. There was also a high level of participation from Regional Federation of Persons with Disabilities in Western Greece and Southern Ionian Islands and 6th Health Region.
Look at the full photogallery.
