Cross-border cooperation congress: registration is now open

See how to register for the online event, hosted by the Polish city of Lublin

The registration for the 10th annual Cross-Border Cooperation Congress organised by Lublin is now open. This year, the event, formerly known as the Eastern Europe Initiatives Congress, will be devoted to the challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic has set for local communities across Europe.

Register now to get the chance to participate free of charge in the online event between 6 and 9 October 2020.

A plethora of cooperation opportunities

The theme of the Congress for 2020 is “Local Government of Tomorrow. Between openness and responsibility”. Due to the current epidemiological situation, the event will take place entirely in a virtual format, with simultaneous translation into three languages: Polish, English and Russian.

More details of the 4-day programme have also become clear in the last couple of days. The Opening panel will focus on local government priorities in the new, post-pandemic reality and will feature talks by local representatives, including:

• Krzysztof Stanowski – Director of International Cooperation Centre, Lublin Municipal Office (Poland)
• Anuela Ristani – Deputy Mayor of Tirana (Albania)
• Serhii Nadal – Mayor of Ternopil (Ukraine)
• Krzysztof Żuk – Mayor of Lublin (Poland)

The expert panel discussions and workshops are not to be missed either due to the participation of eminent European experts such as Charles Landry (Great Britain), Rasmus Wiinstedt Tscherning (Denmark), Marharyta Zhenchuk (Ukraine), Prof. Aleksander Sogomonov (Russia), Krzysztof Czyżewski and Edwin Bendyk (Poland).

For those looking for networking opportunities, an essential part of the congress programme is the Partners' Forum (6-8 October). It will facilitate more effective communication and exchange of experiences between organisations seeking international partners. Make sure not to miss the deadline for registration - 23 September.

The Grants’ Fair (1:00-2:00 p.m. on 6-9 October) will showcase opportunities to obtain funds from selected grant programmes. The Best Practice Contest will feature solutions to the benefit of local communities and cross-border cooperation in Europe and Eastern Partnership countries amid pandemic. Representatives of academia, the NGO sector, business networks and the European Commission will add high value to the event’s cultural, entrepreneurship and social panels.

The coronavirus pandemic forced organisations to move the event entirely into the online world, which gives a wider audience the chance to participate. If you are unable to watch it live, however, do not worry as we from TheMayor.EU will be keeping you informed about the hottest topics of the forum. Stay tuned!