High-Level Visit from Brussels Highlights European Collaboration in Bremen

19 December 2025

DG REGIO explores Arts on Prescription as a concrete and inspiring example of European cooperation

On 27 November 2025, Bremen welcomed a high-level delegation from Brussels, underlining the importance of European cooperation and exchange. As part of a series of conferences held in the city, Hugo Sobral, Deputy Director-General for Programme Implementation at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO), paid a personal visit to Bremen to learn more about the Arts on Prescription (AoP) project.

In his role as senior-level leadership and oversight within DG REGIO for the implementation and strategic alignment of Interreg and other territorial cooperation programmes, Mr Sobral explored Arts on Prescription as a concrete and inspiring example of how European cooperation translates into practice at local and regional level. The visit provided an opportunity to discuss how EU-funded projects contribute to innovation, social inclusion and sustainable development across borders.

Mr Sobral was accompanied by a distinguished delegation, including Dr Ralph Baumheier, State Councillor of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen, Tanja Baerman, Head of the Representation of the State of Bremen to the European Union in Brussels, and Peter Krämer, responsible for European territorial cooperation and the coordination of INTERREG projects.

The discussions highlighted the significant potential of adult education centres (Volkshochschulen) as key actors in European collaboration. With their strong institutional foundations, close links to local communities and extensive international networks, they play an essential role in enabling sustainable cooperation and the effective transfer of knowledge and best practices across Europe.

Hugo Sobral left Bremen with valuable and very personal impressions of the Arts on Prescription project. His visit sends a positive and encouraging signal for the continued development of European cooperation and future joint initiatives within the Interreg framework.