8 July 2026 | Connected for Cohesion (Co4Co) was among 16 projects showcased at the EU Macro-Regional and Sea-Basin Strategy Days, held on 8&9 July in Brussels. Co-organised by the European Commission’s DG REGIO and DG MARE, the event brought together representatives of all eight EU Macro-Regional and Sea-Basin Strategies to discuss how these frameworks can translate shared European ambitions into practical cooperation and contribute to the EU’s post-2027 priorities.
A key message throughout the event was the growing role of macro-regional strategies in supporting the EU enlargement process. Reflecting this approach, the revised EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR) now recognizes enlargement as a cross-cutting issue, highlighting the importance of stronger cooperation between Member States and candidate countries.
Discussions also underlined that preparing candidate countries for EU membership goes beyond legislative alignment. Building the institutional capacity to manage EU funds effectively, including the successful implementation of Interreg programs and the establishment of robust governance structures at central, national, and regional levels, is becoming increasingly important for future EU policies and funding instruments.
Co4Co was showcased at the event’s Networking Village as a practical South Adriatic-driven contribution to the macro-regional cooperation and the post-2027 policy framework.
Bringing together partners from Italy and two candidate countries – Albania, Montenegro – both EU accession frontrunners, Co4Co contributes to fostering institutional cooperation, facilitating knowledge transfer, and improving readiness to access EU connectivity and funding instruments. Through these efforts, Co4Co supports the implementation of EUSAIR priorities and contributes to the South Adriatic’s integration into the extended TEN-T network.
Beyond presentation of the projects, the Strategy Days offered an opportunity to exchange experiences and networking with policymakers, regional authorities, EU institutions, and fellow initiatives, reinforcing the value of macro-regional cooperation in supporting connectivity, enlargement, and future territorial cohesion.
As discussions on the post-2027 programming period continue, CDI, as Co4Co’s lead partner, will continue bringing the regional perspectives into European policy discussions, helping ensure that the region’s connectivity priorities remain firmly on the European agenda and financially supported.
