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Interreg Cooperation Day marks 15 years
Logo of Interreg Cooperation Day with the word "Cooperation" in multicolored text, featuring abstract shapes and the European Union emblem.
Home Interreg Greece-Bulgaria, 22 October, IC DAY 2026

Close-up of hands clapping in an audience, with the words "Cooperation Day" and a "15th anniversary" logo on a yellow and white abstract background.

Youth Without Borders: Empowering Students in the Mountainous Region of Xanthi Through Interreg Cooperation Day 2026

Seventy-five (75) secondary school students from the mountainous border area of Xanthi gathered on 22 October 2026 at the Secondary School of Sminthi  (Xanthi-Greece) to participate in Interreg Cooperation Day 2026.

Held under the pilot initiative "Youth without Borders – Interreg in Schools," the interactive event introduced young learners to the core concepts of European territorial cooperation and what can be achieved through joint efforts between neighbouring countries.

Resilient Communities: Adapt, Connect, Cooperate

Operating under the central theme "Resilient Communities: Adapt, Connect, Cooperate," the event focused on critical regional topics such as climate resilience, disaster prevention, civil protection and road connectivity and safety. Utilizing flood risk management and cross-border connectivity as practical, real-world examples, the students explored how European Cooperation Programmes and Projects translate into tangible actions that protect and connect local populations.

During the experiential program, participants engaged in a dynamic series of activities:

  • Discovery & Introduction: Students took part in an initial pre-quiz and an introduction to the European Union and the Interreg framework, followed by a localized presentation of the Interreg VI-A "Greece-Bulgaria 2021-2027" Programme. Key strategic projects of the Programme implemented in the wider area of Xanthi, such as FLOOD PROTECTION 2, FLOODGUARD 2, and CROSSBO 2, were highlighted to demonstrate how shared challenges require joint solutions.

  • Interactive Knowledge Game: Students divided into teams to test their knowledge through a four-round trivia game covering the European Union, local geography, and flood safety.

  • Collaborative Workshop: Working in groups, students identified potential weather and climate risks right in their own school or neighborhood, came up with creative ideas to prevent emergency risks, and discussed the mutual benefits of tackling these issues hand-in-hand with neighbouring Bulgaria.

  • Evaluation: The session concluded with student presentations of their community proposals, followed by a post-quiz to give students the opportunity to reflect on and showcase what they learned.

Inspiring a New Generation of Active Citizens

By bringing these discussions directly into the classroom, the initiative aims to inspire local youth to look beyond borders, offering them a practical understanding of European Cohesion Policy in action. Through this experience, students recognize the vital role of cross-border cooperation in addressing shared environmental and infrastructural realities. Events like Interreg in Schools ensure that the next generation is empowered to understand, shape, and carry forward European solidarity, building safer and more connected regions for the future.