Interreg Central Europe

Rural areas don't lack potential. They often lack opportunities.

Too many rural communities are losing services, jobs and people as they struggle to keep pace with digital change.

Our LEADER-CE project helps local changemakers become champions of the digital transition. New practical solutions that strengthen services, boost innovation and support inclusive growth!

Last week in Brussels, we spoke one language: cooperation. 🇪🇺

Europe’s biggest challenges don’t stop at borders — and neither can the solutions. They require us to work TOGETHER!

We took the opportunity to showcase how turns shared challenges into concrete solutions across Europe.

🔸 At the BorderLabs CE final conference, experts, policymakers and practitioners explored how strategic planning, citizen engagement and the removal of border obstacles can help build a more integrated central Europe.

🔸 At , we joined forces with and fellow programmes to demonstrate how cooperation delivers results — from clean energy solutions to more resilient and innovative regions.

👉 Different topics. Different communities. One message: stronger cooperation creates stronger regions.

Many businesses think that becoming greener and more digital requires huge investments.

But what if the first step is simply knowing where to start?

Our SMERF project helped companies across navigate their transformation journey through practical tools, expert guidance and tailored support.

Result?
Businesses better prepared for a more innovative, digital and sustainable future.

Read our latest story featuring Pawel Raja, founder of and discover how cooperation helps them become ready for what comes next.
👉 https://www.interreg-central.eu/stories/smerf

What many see as a challenge could also become an opportunity.

Eastern border regions in Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and Romania face demographic decline, governance challenges and gaps in public services. At the same time, growing links with Ukraine are creating new opportunities for development and cooperation.

Our Bridge2EastCE project brings regions TOGETHER to tackle migration and labour-market challenges through better territorial planning and stronger cooperation across borders.

No region can drive the energy transition alone!

We and our energy projects BELIEVE that when it comes to bringing energy actors TOGETHER and accelerating the green transition.

🚌 What if public transport adapted to people — instead of the other way around?

In many rural and peripheral areas, fixed routes and timetables don't meet the needs of elderly, disabled or low-income residents.

Our FlexiSHARE project is testing flexible, demand-responsive mobility solutions designed together with local communities.

🤝 Smarter routes, better access and more inclusive mobility — helping ensure that nobody is left behind.

Borders aren't the only barriers we work to overcome.

Over the last few days, the Turku group had fun, exchanged ideas and learned a lot together with fellow communication colleagues from across Europe.

From AI and social media to data and storytelling, we explored new ways to make cooperation projects more visible and their impact easier to understand.

Now we're back with fresh inspiration and new ideas to tell the stories of even better. 💡 Thank Turku! Thank you Interact Programme

Have you ever attended a communication workshop that changed the way you work?

Young people leave peripheral regions in search of education and career opportunities!
Our -Ce project helps to change that by bringing next-generation manufacturing skills closer to young people. Through immersive learning tools, mentoring and stronger links with local SMEs, partners are preparing the workforce needed for the factories of the future.

to keep manufacturing talents where they are needed

post introducing our call 3 project - even if our calendar says - it is Friday 😉

Growing older shouldn’t mean growing invisible!

Our Procareful project explores how digital tools and proactive care approaches can help older adults stay active, connected and supported longer — without losing the human touch. 💙

Because ageing well should not be about fitting into a system. The system should adapt to people.

👉 https://www.interreg-central.eu/stories/procareful/

Young people are not just part of the conversation about the future of Interreg cooperation — they are helping shape it.

With a strong track record of involving youth in Interreg volunteer initiative and by targeting young people across several of our projects, we were pleased to contribute to the discussion at the Interreg Italy–Croatia event “Youth4Sea – Ideas for the Future of Cooperation” in Ancona today.

Looking ahead, there is clear potential to better integrate youth perspectives in programme design and consultations, while also exploring the opportunities that a performance-based approach could offer for stronger youth participation.

A big thank you to the Interreg Italy-Croatia for the opportunity to exchange and reflect TOGETHER!
Interreg Volunteer Youth - IVY