Cooperation Actions in Action: How Ideas Lead to Impact

General

Overview

The 2021–2027 programming period has made cooperation a systemic requirement across mainstream funding instruments, with Member States now obliged to plan and implement cooperation actions under each specific objective of the Investment for Jobs and Growth goal. Yet turning cooperation ideas into tangible results remains consistently difficult - demanding robust partnerships, operational know-how, and the ability to navigate complex regulatory and administrative constraints. Many stakeholders still operate within familiar networks, limiting learning and slowing implementation. This event is designed as a practical exchange platform for Managing Authorities and programme practitioners working with cooperation actions under the IGJ objective. Rather than promoting idealised examples, it creates space for critical reflection, peer learning, and honest discussion of what works, what does not, and why.

Objectives

This event helps participants design and implement cooperation actions with greater clarity, confidence, and operational realism. The focus is on decision-making in situations where regulatory provisions allow flexibility but practical guidance is limited or fragmented — a common challenge across Interreg programmes. By the end of the event, participants will: Reduce uncertainty around key implementation choices and understand where real constraints exist Clarify how partner selection, governance structures, and resource allocation decisions are made in practice Navigate regulatory interpretation with more confidence, knowing where discretion is available and how to use it Learn from peers who have faced and resolved similar implementation challenges Leave with actionable insights that can be applied directly to their own programme context.

Details

The event follows a 1.5-day format combining structured dialogue, peer-to-peer exchange, and a study visit to a local project financed with ERDF, enabling participants to complement learning with real implementation experience. Macro-regional and sea basin strategies are used as reference frameworks to situate cooperation actions within wider territorial dynamics and support more strategic approaches. The overall emphasis is on realism, transferability, and informed decision-making - supporting participants in moving from cooperation as a planned obligation to cooperation as a functional and impactful practice.

Peer-to-peer interviews

As part of the event, Interact will organise short on-site video interviews where experienced participants share practical insights, honest reflections, and what drives their engagement in cooperation actions. Recorded voluntarily, these interviews will be produced as promotional videos and added to a growing library of real-world testimonies. It is a chance to promote your project while inspiring others. If you are interested, please inform us at: stoyan.kanatov@interact.eu