IBSR Programme Conference 2025
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Date20. - 22. May 2025
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OrganiserInterreg Baltic Sea Region
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Venue
- Tampere Hall , Yliopistonkatu 55
- FI-33100 Tampere
- Finland
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Contact
Description
Welcome to the magic world of Interreg
Interreg is no ordinary funding programme - it’s a spellbinding force woven from the purest EU values and powered by EU funds. It turns the impossible into reality, proving that borders are no barriers to innovation and change.
Interreg transnational cooperation brings bold, out-of-the-box solutions to life, shaping them into best practices that spread like ripples across the Baltic Sea region. It easily bridges governance gaps, translates cutting-edge research into hands-on solutions, and—most importantly—delivers real answers to the challenges that regions and cities truly face.
But what’s the secret behind its success? How does Interreg achieve what others can’t?
This is where the true magic of Interreg comes into play. Join us at the Programme Conference to uncover the hidden powers behind Interreg’s impact.
Together, we’ll reveal the invisible mechanisms that drive Interreg’s success, explore inspiring project achievements that extend far beyond borders, and witness first-hand how Interreg’s magic transforms one community, one city, and one region at a time. We'll uncover long-lasting synergies it builds, paving the way for even more synergies to come with fresh funding. We’ll take a closer look at how Interreg drives change in the region and, most importantly, how all of this translates into real benefits for people around the Baltic Sea. And with an open mind, we’ll even step into the unknown, co-writing future scenarios for Interreg post-2027 together.
Once you enter into the magic world of Interreg, there’s no turning back. Its magic will stay with you forever!
Our conference in a nutshell
In the heart of the Finnish Lakeland, we will gather to explore the true magic of Interreg transnational cooperation: the what, the why, and the how. Get ready for an inspiring three days filled with discovery, connection, and magic! What to expect?
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20 May 2025: Pre-Conference Day with an evening reception hosted by the City of Tampere
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21 May 2025: Main Programme Conference Day
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22 May 2025: Project visits in Tampere & vicinity
BONUS! Simplification Workshop for early-comers held on 20 May. Click here for more info.
Practicalities
For the evening reception on 20 May, the City of Tampere invites you to the Old City Hall (Keskustori 10, 33200 Tampere), which is within a 20-min walk distance from the main conference venue. The main conference on 21 May will take place at the Tampere Hall (Yliopistonkatu 55, FI-33100 Tampere). Here is some more information how to get there.
Check the agenda below for more details and register now: the number of available seats is limited. Make sure this magic conference doesn't happen without you!
Agenda
- TimeItem
- 20 May
- 13:30 - 16:30 (EEST)
Simplification Workshop (back-to-back event)
Discover how Simplified Cost Options (SCOs) can streamline administrative tasks, improve budget planning, and reduce complexity in project implementation. More info about the session you can find here (limited seats available). Location: Tampere Hall - 19:00 - 21:00 (EEST)
Evening reception hosted by the City of Tampere
On the eve of our magic Programme conference, the City of Tampere invites all us to spend an evening together: let’s make the most out of networking and inspiring exchanges. Networking starts already at 18:30. Location: Old City Hall - 21 May
- 08:30 - 09:30 (EEST)
Registration
Enjoy your morning coffee at the networking & exhibition area. Feel the magic Interreg community vibes! Location: Tampere Hall - 09:30 - 10:15 (EEST)
Let's think bigger. Introduction to the Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme Conference
- Welcome by Anna-Kaisa Ikonen, Minister for Local and Regional Government of Finland
- Video address by Raffaele Fitto, European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms
- 10:15 - 11:00 (EEST)
Behind the scenes. This is how we do it transnationally
How does the intangible magic of Interreg transnational cooperation turn into concrete project and Programme results? Who benefits from them, and how are they used? And who are the people behind it all? The Programme's State of Play sets the stage for what’s to come. Step inside and let the magic begin! Magic community vibes: coffee break
Enjoy the networking & exhibition area- 11:30 - 13:00 (EEST)
Parallel session 1: Powerful spells for practically everyone
The Real-World Magic of Interreg: Join us to experience how Interreg BSR projects conjure visible achievements and hidden transformations in our daily lifes and across the region. - 11:30 - 13:00 (EEST)
Parallel session 2: The Magic Synergy Cocktail: Mix, Shake, Impact!
Not all ingredients naturally blend, but when they do, the result is extraordinary! Join us for a magic Interreg cocktail, where invisible elements mix to create real impact through cooperation. Let's stir together local and national levels, shake up projects and programmes, infuse strategies with real action, and toast to synergies that don't just add up-they multiply! - 11:30 - 13:00 (EEST)
Parallel session 3: Interreg labs - the alchemy masterclass
How does Interreg transform the Baltic Sea region and helps us stay ahead of reforms? Join this masterclass to uncover how Interreg solutions spark snowball effects to shape policies and roll out best practices beyond borders. Together, we will uncover the essential ingredients lying behind the Interreg success and answer an ultimate question: Is Interreg a viable incubator of change? Magic community vibes: lunch break
Enjoy the networking & exhibition area- 14:30 - 15:00 (EEST)
Magic doesn't stop here. This is how we do it transnationally
How else does Interreg set grounds for the development of the Baltic Sea region? And what about strategic synergies it builds for a wider impact? Let’s look at the unique cooperation opportunities to come! - 15:00 - 16:30 (EEST)
Shaping the post-2027 Interreg: Lessons learned and visions for the future
How would the Members of the Programme’s Monitoring Committee continue the magic of transnational cooperation in the future? Which needs and wishes are in the air? What can the European Commission tell us at this stage? What are the visions of our panellists for the transnational magic to continue in the region after 2027? Speakers- Interreg Baltic Sea Region Monitoring Committee members: Margarita Golovko (Estonia), Matti Lipsanen (Finland), Jens Kurnol (Germany)
- Mr. Sławomir Tokarski, European Commission, DG REGIO
- Mr. Petri Haapalainen, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, Finland
- Ms. Sabrina Repp, Member of the European Parliament
- Ms. Katarzyna Barcikowska, Chair of the EUSBSR National Coordinators
- Ms. Inese Suija-Markova, Vidzeme Planning Region, Latvia
- 16:30 - 19:00 (EEST)
Meet, learn, network & inspire each other at:
- Dedicated chat zones
- Info stand uncovering synergies & cooperation opportunities at Interreg
Visit the magically designed exhibition area to step into the world of Interreg where you will:
- Discover the magic of project results
- Walk through the added value of transnational cooperation
- Build the Interreg mindmaps
- Have your say about the future of Interreg
- Have fun at interactive & social media corners
- ...and so much more: let the Interreg magic surprise you!
- 19:00 - 21:00 (EEST)
Joint dinner
Interreg magic continues Location: Tampere Hall - 22 May
- 09:00 - 12:00 (EEST)
Parallel Study Visit 1: Climate management and climate budgeting practices in BSR Cities – experiences from Climate-4-CAST project (limited seats available)
Climate-4-Cast presents tools and strategies towards climate neutrality in BSR cities. Cities around the Baltic Sea strive for climate neutrality with a wide range of strategies, practices and tools. The Climate-4-CAST project brings together city developers and climate experts to discuss and learn about climate management and climate budgeting practices in Baltic Sea region cities and how the Climate Action Decision Support Tool assists cities on their way towards climate neutrality. The study visit will take you to the Siluetti meeting room at the Tampere Bus Station where urban development and planning events usually take place. During the 3-hour session, you will hear about climate management and budgeting practices in the project’s pilot cities – Tampere, Riga and Östersund, and the Climate Action Decision Support Tool that is being developed in the project. - 09:00 - 12:00 (EEST)
Parallel Study Visit 2: Civil society making sustainability transitions – experiences from the We make transition! project (limited seats available)
We Make Transition! - visit to a space for civil society engagement, community building and urban gardening. This site visit will present how a city can offer temporarily empty built spaces to civil society actors and social entrepreneurs caring about environmental, cultural and social sustainability. Surrounded by urban gardening activities, cultural events, and recreational space in a block-building area, you will listen to, discuss and demonstrate innovative ways to improve citizen engagement and community strength in urban environments. - 09:00 - 12:00 (EEST)
Parallel Study visit 3: Flood prevention and supporting biodiversity in cities by nature-based solutions – City Blues project (limited seats available)
City Blues introduces nature-based solutions on site. Growing cities are facing negative effects of climate change, such as increased flooding, erosion of the stream banks, and pollution from the stormwater runoff. Although the situation has been identified, many cities find it difficult to embark on a path of change. During this study visit, you will explore two sites in Tampere where the nature-based solutions (NBS) and using local seeds and plants have solved flooding problems and increased biodiversity. Please note that this will be an outdoor visit, so dress properly to fully enjoy the visit. - 12:00 - 13:30 (EEST)
Joint lunch for the participants of study visits
Magic community vibes
Events
Upcoming events
| 07 |
| April |
09:30 - 12:00 (CEST)
Past events
| 25 |
| March |
09:30 - 12:00 (CET)
| 19 | - | 20 |
| March | ||
12:00 - 13:00 (CET)
| 03 |
| December |
09:30 - 11:30 (CET)
