The Programme representatives took part in the seminar that was organised on 4 February 2026 in Brussels (European Commission, Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy – DG REGIO). The meeting offered Programme authorities and relevant stakeholders from Interreg programmes in candidate countries an opportunity to deepen their understanding of the Partnership Principle and its relevance for the Chapter 22 of accession negotiations. It also enabled participants to exchange good practices and experiences based on a Study on the partnership principle launched in spring 2025 by DG REGIO and focused on how the regulatory provisions relating to the partnership principle and multi-level governance have been implemented in enlargement countries for the programming and implementation of current Interreg programmes.
The participants were welcomed by Moray Gilland, Head of Unit at the Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy, European Commission, who delivered the opening remarks. After the main findings of the study were presented, a panel discussion involved various stakeholders to present issues specific for particular countries or programmes.
The Interreg NEXT Poland – Ukraine 2021-2027 Programme was presented as a good practice by Ewa Termena-Chyży from the Managing Authority and Andrzej Słodki from the Joint Secretariat, who provided examples of comprehensive and well-balanced representation of local and regional authorities, economic and social partners, as well as Euroregions in the Monitoring Committee.
The partnership principle in EU cohesion policy and multi-level governance are described in the Common Provisions Regulation (CPR) and the European Code of Conduct on Partnership (ECCP). The enlargement process currently involves nine countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Türkiye, and Ukraine). The process encourages and supports democratic and economic reforms in these countries, that aspire to become EU members.
The final report from the Study shall be soon presented to the public.
