by EH
As Europe grapples with shifting alliances and questions about its future, an unlikely symbol of unity is emerging along the Italian-Slovenian border. Later this month, the twin cities of Gorizia, Italy, and Nova Gorica, Slovenia, will host the European Commission’s annual Interreg event, a three-day conference aimed at fostering cross-border cooperation and regional development.
The decision to hold the event in this historically divided region is no coincidence, said Governor Massimiliano Fedriga of Italy’s Friuli Venezia Giulia region. “This is a recognition of two key aspects: our administration’s ability to allocate and account for European funds efficiently and the growing importance of Gorizia as a central hub of cross-border collaboration, particularly with GO!2025,” Fedriga said in a statement, referring to the cities’ joint designation as the 2025 European Capital of Culture.
The conference, set for March 26–28, is expected to draw high-level institutional representatives from across the continent. It will feature plenary sessions, thematic discussions, workshops, study visits, and networking events focused on strengthening cooperation between European regions.
For regional officials like Barbara Zilli, Friuli Venezia Giulia’s finance councillor, the event is more than just a showcase—it is proof of the tangible impact of European collaboration. “Our border region is a natural laboratory for cooperation,” she said. “It’s not just an opportunity to tackle shared challenges like innovation and sustainability; it’s an everyday necessity for social and economic integration.”
Since 2000, the Interreg Italy-Slovenia program has supported over 700 cross-border projects, benefiting more than 2,600 organizations and absorbing €305 million in EU funds. Today, the region leads Europe in fund utilization, with an absorption rate of 99 percent, Zilli said.
The conference will kick off on March 26 with the arrival of European Commission delegates and government officials from Italy and Slovenia. That afternoon, the Interreg GO! – Youth Event will bring together over 100 young people from across Europe at the University of Gorizia for discussions on the future of European cooperation.
March 27 will be dedicated to presenting the findings of consultations on post-2027 EU cooperation, culminating in a press conference at Trgovski Dom. The evening will mark the 35th anniversary of the Interreg program with a celebration at the Unione Ginnastica Goriziana.
The final day, March 28, will offer networking opportunities for 300 representatives from 86 European cooperation programs. Topics for discussion include tourism and culture, cross-border cooperation, risk management, research funding, water resilience, and healthcare. Sessions will be held in both Gorizia and Nova Gorica, underscoring the event’s commitment to bridging national divides.
For Fedriga, the significance of the event extends beyond financial metrics. “The historical importance of our border with Slovenia and our efforts to strengthen European cohesion have caught the attention of the European Commission,” he said. “By hosting this event, our region is cementing its place as a model for future European cooperation.”
As the European Union navigates an uncertain future, this small border region—once a flashpoint of division—may offer a glimpse of what is possible when unity prevails.
