Each year on 21 September we celebrate Interreg Cooperation Day – a moment to recognise how cooperation across borders, regions, rivers, mountains and even bureaucracies brings people and places together for a better future. This year is special: it marks the 15th anniversary. For fifteen years, Interreg Cooperation Day has united communities to celebrate the positive impact of cross‑border collaboration.
Why celebrate cooperation?
The South Baltic area is a diverse blend of cultures, economies and communities. To reach our full potential, we must understand and support one another. Cooperation helps remove barriers, share knowledge and pool resources so that cities, towns and rural areas can tackle shared challenges more effectively than they could alone.
How the EU and Interreg support the region
The European Union promotes cross‑border collaboration through programmes such as Interreg. In the South Baltic region this support comes via the Interreg South Baltic Programme, which allocates more than €87.7 million to help partners work together on common priorities – from innovation and digitalisation to decarbonisation and social inclusion. These funds enable projects that pilot new solutions, scale good practices and strengthen links between citizens, institutions and businesses across national borders.
What happens during Interreg Cooperation Day?
Across Europe, Interreg Cooperation Day is marked by events that showcase successful collaborations funded by Interreg. Activities range from panel discussions, workshops and exhibitions to outdoor events and online webinars that anyone can join. The day is a chance to highlight tangible results – new services, greener transport, improved social inclusion, innovative business support – and to remind citizens how cross‑border cooperation yields direct benefits for local communities.
Join us in Palanga on 23 September
This year, we will jointly celebrate Interreg Cooperation Day on 23 September in Palanga as part of our Annual Event. It is an opportunity to see cooperation in action, hear from project partners, and network with people who are shaping the future of the South Baltic region.
Call for project ideas
And that is not all – we invite you to apply with your project idea between 16 September and 4 November 2026. If you have a proposal that addresses our shared priorities – digitalisation and strengthening the cooperation capacity – this is your chance to make it real with Interreg support.
For more information about the calls for proposals and how to apply, click here.
Join us in celebrating cooperation and shaping a stronger, more connected South Baltic region.