27 May 2025
The magic of Interreg: this is how we do it transnationally!
Written by Anna Gałyga
Almost 300 guests, the charm of Finnish Tampere and a vibrant colour palette of transnational cooperation: the Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme Conference held on 20-22 May 2025, brought to light the benefits of Interreg and the magic behind them.
Why magic?
“Why magic” turned out to be an intriguing question for many – until they joined Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme Conference. The spacious and light-filled Tampere Hall welcomed our guests, offering dedicated spots to interact, learn and explore. And at the heart of it all: a quest to discover the Interreg magic.
Magic lies in the small things. Sometimes, it’s a look, a moment, a breath.
But magic… is also big. It can take your breath away.
Honoured by the presence of Anna-Kaisa Ikonen, Minister for Local and Regional Government of Finland, the conference opened with a strong emphasis on the importance of working across borders, especially in today’s unstable times. In a welcome video, Raffaele Fitto, European Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms, further underlined Interreg’s vital role. He highlighted how Interreg has become a recognised symbol of European integration and called for continued ambition to deliver much-needed solutions to the region for the next 35 years.
This was just the first step in our journey through the magic of Interreg.
Behind the scenes of Interreg magic
In eight short stories, the audience learned how EUR 236 million at Programme start led to 129 impactful projects, uniting 1200+ partners from nine countries in a shared cause. About one-third of these were engaging in Interreg for the first time. Thanks to simplified cost options, 82% of financial reporting has become significantly easier, reducing the administrative burden. Altogether, 280 pilot activities have laid the foundation for 144 practical solutions for the Baltic Sea region. These outcomes, in turn, support the implementation of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region in 146 distinct ways.
Yet behind the numbers, the Interreg magic revealed itself: in the way people work together across borders, disciplines, and mindsets. In knowledge flowing freely across governance levels, enabling real change and spreading smart solutions. In mutual learning that fills gaps and connects sectors to spark joint action. And in people standing behind it all.
Interreg magic rarely makes headlines. The invisible work behind it: even less. It’s the kind of magic you only notice once everything has changed.
A wide array of topics that have come to the forefront in the current Programme cycle enriched the Interreg story even further: from resilience and mental health, to energy, climate response, and the care for shared resources. Each of these areas is shaped by people driving progress across borders, and that’s where Interreg plays a crucial role.
And united by Interreg, inspired by power of transnational cooperation, the conference participants explored the benefits of the Programme in greater depth.
Click on the photo to view the gallery
Three dimensions of Interreg benefits, endless examples!
Interreg magic takes different colours and shapes. We’ve discovered them in three different ways:
- How Interreg powerful spells bring everyday impacts for people in the region, often invisible yet transformative. The session sparked curiosity, raised important questions, and inspired participants to explore the Programme solution portfolio, where answers to many of our community challenges may already exist.
- How Interreg triggers synergies: the engine driving lasting impact and smarter governance in EU cooperation. By connecting projects, programmes, and policies, we unlock greater value, strategic relevance, and real solutions for real needs. The discussions proved that the future of cooperation lies in breaking silos, embracing creative partnerships across sectors, connecting local to regional and national levels, and infusing project results into policies based on real evidence and people’s needs and expertise — with project platforms playing a vital role in turning knowledge into lasting change.
- How Interreg plays a vital role in incubating change in the region: from a sparking idea to a tested solution ready for spreading across borders, sectors and governance levels until its wider policy impacts. In this vibrant Interreg laboratory, regions learn and inspire each other, adapt solutions to their needs, easily driving innovations and staying ahead of reforms.
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How does the Interreg magic continue?
The Interreg magic lies in taking small steps for a bigger change. This is why the Programme called again for enthusiasts of working together to jointly transform rural and challenged areas into thriving spots on the map of the region (find out more about an open call for small projects).
But Interreg is also big when it consolidates project results for a higher impact. Eight project platforms took the stage to highlight their strategic role in moving the region forward and contributing to the Programme’s goals. This was also the right moment for the Programme to open the call for new project platforms! (find out more about an open call for project platforms).
Interreg is also stepping into the future. Representatives from local, national, pan-Baltic and European levels discussed the vital importance to continue transnational cooperation for the region. They supported key cooperation themes identified during the stakeholder consultations, focusing on enhancing resilience, security, and creating a greener, climate-neutral region. Engaging new audiences and increasing funding flexibility were considered to be essential. A shared inspiring vision of a prosperous and peaceful region in the next decade wrapped up the session.
Sławomir Tokarski, European Commission, DG REGIO
We must support beneficiaries, place greater emphasis on youth, and allow for more budgetary flexibility. I wish you that the magic power lasts and becomes even stronger in the future!
Interaction in action!
Interreg thrives on open exchange — and on the dedication of people who make it happen. In Tampere Hall, we added a bit of magic to this. We invited our guests to share their ideas on Interreg benefits, the future of Interreg as well as ways to smartly implement simplified cost options. Our stands provided spaces to learn, find partners and get inspired. Multiple project exhibits provided a glimpse of real-life products created by Interreg. A walk through our exhibition maze consolidated Interreg benefits, and offered an invitation to the last stop to stir the Interreg magic and share the pictures with the world out there.
Click on the photo to view the gallery
Interreg magic doesn’t stop here!
Intrigued by our Conference? And the magic doesn’t stop here. Follow us to discover the stories behind three inspiring project site visits, and watch the next chapters of Interreg magic unfold!
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