1 april 2025
On March 19-20, 2025, the UNLOCK project took center stage at the 11th edition of Europe, Let’s Cooperate!, an interregional cooperation forum organized by the Interreg Europe programme. Held in Kraków, Poland—currently presiding over the EU—the event provided a dynamic platform for policymakers, researchers, and project leaders to exchange insights, foster collaborations, and explore new opportunities for regional development. Representing the UNLOCK consortium, project leader Dr. Beata Kviatek actively engaged in discussions that aligned with UNLOCK’s mission of enhancing innovation and sustainable policy practices across European regions.
The forum opened with high-level discussions led by key European policy figures, including Interreg Europe Programme Director Erwin Siweris, Director for European Territorial Cooperation, Macro-regions, Interreg, and Programmes Implementation from the European Commission’s DG Regio, Slawomir Tokarski, Poland’s Undersecretary of State for Development Funds and Regional Policy, Konrad Wojnarowski, and the Director of the European Department of Hauts-de-France. Together, they reflected on the tangible impact of the Interreg Europe programme in advancing regional policies through enhanced cooperation and outlined future prospects for interregional initiatives. Plenary session recordings are available here.
One of the forum’s highlights was the session dedicated to the Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform, celebrating its 10th anniversary. Experts Thorsten Kohlisch, Elena Ferrario, Marc Pattinson, and Astrid Severin showcased the platform’s extensive services, designed to support policymakers at different stages of the policy cycle—design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. The session provided valuable insights into best practices that UNLOCK can leverage to strengthen policy impact within its consortium.
Beyond formal sessions, the forum offered numerous opportunities for networking and hands-on learning. Participants engaged in inspiration sessions, expert consultations, and interactive workshops focused on overcoming policy challenges. A key feature was the project poster exhibition, which showcased ongoing Interreg Europe projects, fostering cross-sectoral learning and potential synergies with the UNLOCK initiative.
The second day of the forum delved into critical thematic discussions relevant to UNLOCK’s objectives. Sessions on AI-powered local innovations, efficient waste management policies, and the social dimensions of the digital and green transition provided in-depth analyses of emerging regional challenges. Additionally, three study visits offered first-hand exposure to Kraków’s best practices in urban sustainability:
The Europe, Let’s Cooperate! 2025 forum reaffirmed the significance of interregional cooperation in shaping more effective and sustainable policies across Europe. For the UNLOCK consortium, the event was a valuable opportunity to gain fresh perspectives, establish new partnerships, and identify pathways to integrate cutting-edge policy solutions into its framework. The only challenge? Choosing between the many insightful sessions and study visits—each offering unique learnings and inspiration.
As UNLOCK continues to drive innovation in interregional policy-making, insights gained from this forum will serve as a catalyst for future actions, reinforcing its commitment to unlocking the full potential of European cooperation.
By Dr Beata Kviatek, Jean Monnet Chair in Sustainable EU Economy and Project Leader UNLOCK
