The forum, organised by the INTERREG IVC programme and the Hungarian Presidency of the EU, was aimed at informing the participants on the latest developments in the programme, in particular on the fourth call for proposals, and providing opportunities for networking and partner search for those developing cooperation projects.

Aneta Widak from the Marshal Office of Malopolska Region (PL) reported on a regional policy which was improved thanks to their exchange of experience in the framework of the mini-programme PEOPLE – Innovation for Societal Change. In 2010, the Board of the Malopolska Region updated their Malopolska 2020 strategy in the context of demographic change. Specific recommendations and experiences of the PEOPLE partners peer review were integrated in this process, especially in the context of ‘dynamic ageing’. Increased awareness of social problems and demographic changes led Malopolska region to look for new and innovative alternatives to face demographic change challenges

As host of the 4th EU Interregional Cooperation Forum, Dr György Nyikos, Deputy State Secretary for Development Affairs in Hungary welcomed Commissioner Hahn, the president of the Committee of the Regions, Mrs Mercedes Bresso, and the participants to the event.

President of the Committee of the Regions, Mercedes Bresso, remarked that the future of the interregional cooperation programme, “one of the most talented members of this large Territorial cooperation family”, could focus on two main points: policy and governance innovation, and partnerships.