When cooperation takes the stage, projects become stories and challenges become opportunities for change.
On 6 September 2026, at the 90th Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF), the General Secretariat of Partnership Agreement (ESPA) and the Managing Authority Interreg 2021-2027 hosted the event “Interreg: Five Borders, Twenty-six Regions, One Shared Europe”, bringing together representatives of regions and Interreg projects to highlight how cooperation can respond to real challenges and create opportunities for local communities.
The event opened with a welcome address by Vasiliki Pantelopoulou, Secretary General of Partnership Agreement (ESPA), followed by a discussion on the present and future of Cohesion Policy and European Territorial Cooperation, with Maria Sioliou, DG REGIO – European Commission.
The discussion continued with “Interreg Talks: The Voice of Cooperation”, bringing five Regional Governors and five project representatives to the stage to share experiences from projects implemented in their respective regions.
Social Cohesion
ΜΠΟΡΩ | Interreg Greece-Cyprus
Stavros Arnaoutakis, Regional Governor of Crete, together with Thekla Kallika, representing the project.
Civil Protection
FLOODGUARD2 | Interreg Greece-Bulgaria
Christodoulos Topsidis, Regional Governor of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, together with Firefighter Sophocles Mavroftas, representing the project.
Health
ElderCare | Interreg Greece-North Macedonia
Maria (Melina) Dermetzopoulou, Deputy Regional Governor for Health & Social Solidarity, together with Magda Tsolaki, representing the project.
Culture & Tourism
CHORA & OnSea | Interreg Greece-Italy
Alexandros Kachrimanis, Regional Governor of Epirus, together with Kalliopi Tesia, representing the projects.
Circular Economy
CIRCLE & DIGITAL | Interreg Greece-Albania
Giorgos Amanatidis, Regional Governor of Western Macedonia, together with Periklis Kafasis, representing the projects.
From supporting people with disabilities and addressing dementia, to strengthening flood preparedness, opening new paths for tourism and culture, and advancing circular and digital solutions for waste management, the seven projects highlighted the diverse ways in which Interreg cooperation can make a difference.
The discussion was moderated by Maria Nezeriti, Head of the Managing Authority Interreg 2021-2027, who also brought the event to a close with a brief look at “Bridge for EU”, a new mechanism for removing cross-border obstacles between Greece, Bulgaria, Italy and Cyprus.
Interreg at TIF
The conversation continues throughout the 90th TIF at the Interreg stand in Pavilion 13, Hellenic Ministry of Economy and Finance, where visitors can discover the five Interreg cross-border programmes, their impact and the opportunities they create across the programmes’ eligible areas.
Thank you to everyone who joined us, filled the event area and made the conversation so open, lively and meaningful.
