The importance of cooperation with other European regions

The Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace continues to participate in transnational programs that enhance its extroversion, development and cooperation with other regions of Europe.
With its proposals that were included in programs during 2024, it has created strong transnational collaborations with a multitude of partners from all over Europe, implementing projects with a total budget of 10 million euros.
As a leader, the Eastern Macedonia and Thrace Region leads initiatives that upgrade multiple dimensions of the region, focusing on sustainable practices, cultural tourism, digital skills, business succession, and religious tourism.
According to ERT News, the participation of the EMT Region in large-scale transnational programs such as “Interreg NEXTMED” and “Interreg Europe”, as stated in its announcement, is practical proof of its ability to meet the requirements of complex innovative projects, such as the following:
“ARACHNEE”: Strengthening traditional textile industries through sustainable practices and the use of organic materials, promoting competitiveness and job creation.
“EU FESTIVALS”: Support for festivals that highlight local history and cultural heritage, enhancing cultural tourism.
“DigitalLife4ALL”: Strengthening digital skills of elderly and socially vulnerable groups in six Mediterranean countries, aiming at social cohesion and inclusion.
“SUCCESS SKILLS”: Supporting businesses in the succession process, enhancing the skills of successors, advisors and stakeholders.
“RESPECT”: The project enhances religious, spiritual and pilgrimage tourism, placing the EMT Region in a European network with selected routes and locations.
As it is also reported, in addition to the mentioned projects, in 2024 the EMT Region also achieved significant success in the demanding calls of “Horizon Europe”, securing three projects that bring together more than sixty partners from all over Europe and the participating countries. In addition, it achieved distinction with two more proposals in the “EURO-MED” program, which advanced to the second phase of evaluation.
“We are keeping our promise to strengthen extroversion. The majority of problems are common to all European countries, therefore strengthening transnational cooperation offers recognition of good practices in addressing key social, economic and environmental issues”, emphasizes, the Regional Governor of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, Christodoulos Topsidis and adds: “Our enhanced success in these programs is the result of hard work, strategic planning, and effective cooperation. We are investing in the future of our Region and shaping the conditions to be pioneers in sectors that contribute to the development and quality of life of our citizens. Our Region, utilizing the potential of European funding, is moving forward with consistency and vision, strengthening its position as a model of development and innovation for Greece and Europe”.