Cooperation, Legacy and Change: 25 Years of Interreg Alpine Space

12:30 – 14:00 Registration and time for networking at buffet lunch

14:00 – 15:00 Welcome keynote
Welcome and introduction by the event moderator Amira Awad (Austrian journalist)

• Greeting words from Wilfried Haslauer, Governor of Land Salzburg
• Keynote: Scaling new peaks – Inspiration from the Alps by Stefan Glowacz
  Dive into the spirit of innovation and adventure with Stefan Glowacz, professional rock climber and adventurer, who will share lessons on resilience and vision from his Alpine journeys.

15:00 – 15:30 Alpine Horizons: challenges, opportunities, and collaborative action
Alpine stakeholders discuss the region’s pressing issues and opportunities for maximising impact and bringing transformative change in the region.

• Maria Grazia Pedrana – Director for European Territorial Cooperation and International Cooperation, Lombardy Region (Italy)
• Alenka Smerkolj – Secretary-General of the Alpine Convention
• Fabian Ritter – Office for Foreign Affairs of the Principality of Liechtenstein, Presidency of the EU Strategy for the Alpine region (EUSALP)

15:30 – 16:00 Coffee break

16:00 – 17:30 25 Years of transnational cooperation: projects that shaped the Alpine region
A dynamic panel of project partners and experts reflects on the enduring impact of transnational cooperation. The speakers will highlight the impact of European projects on local and regional communities and inspire the audience in shaping insights for future projects.

• Christian Salletmaier – Initiator of the Alpine Space Programme management by Land Salzburg (AT)
• Michael Staudinger – World Meteorological Organization, formerly Central Institution for Meteorology and Geodynamics (AT)
• Cassiano Luminati – Polo Poschiavo (CH)
• Frédéric Berger – French National Institute for Agriculture, Food, and Environment (INRAE) (FR)
• Claire Simon – Val&Monti (FR)
• Marc Zebisch – Center for Climate Change and Transformation, Eurac Research (IT)
• Sergeja Praper Gulič – Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia (SI)
• Luisa Pedrazzini – Italian representative of the Spatial Planning and Sustainable Development Working Group of the Alpine Convention (IT)
• Nicole Hampel – Digital Mobility, AustriaTech – Gesellschaft des Bundes für technologiepolitische Maßnahmen GmbH (AT)

17:30 – 18:30 Projects EXPO: Showcasing smart solutions for Alpine challenges
Explore projects shaping the Alpine region in an informal exchange and networking environment.

08:30 – 9:00 Time for coffee and networking      

09:00 – 10:00 From vision to action: shaping the Future of the Alpine region

• Slawomir Tokarski – European Commission, DG Regio, Director for the European Territorial Cooperation, Macro-regions, Interreg and Programmes Implementation
• Baiba Liepa – Interact, Macro-regional strategies, Programmes supporting MRS & Sea basin strategies
• Christina Bauer – Land Salzburg, Managing Authority, Interreg Alpine Space
• Martha Gärber – Autonomous Province of Bolzano, Managing Authority, Interreg Italy-Austria
• Maren Meyer – Agency for Energy South Tyrol – Casa Clima – EUSALP Action Group 9

The panel discussion will be followed by engaging breakout sessions with experts.

10:00 – 11:15 Exploring Solutions: breakout dialogues for Alpine Progress
The breakout sessions are designed to spark in-depth discussions, inspire new perspectives, and provide valuable insights for our stakeholders, fostering meaningful dialogue on key Alpine cooperation challenges and opportunities.

Participants will join one of the following sessions:

• Elevating Women, Adapting the Alps: A Gendered Perspective on Climate Change with Séverin Duc, PhD in History, speaker and consultant, author
• The Alps in Climate Change: Challenges and Opportunities with Sebastian Weber, metereologist, TV presenter
• Leveraging AI to protect and preserve the Alpine ecosystem with Sarah Stemmler, AI Expert, co-founder and managing director of synsugar GmbH
• Next steps for Circular Economy in the Alps with Sonja Eser, Expert in Circular Economy and Circular Design, Lecturer

11:15 – 11:45 Coffee break                                            

11:45 – 12:30 CALLing the Future: Unveiling Call 3
Stakeholders reunite in the plenary to hear the outcomes of the breakout sessions and celebrate together the next wave of collaboration with the launch of the 3rd call for project proposals.

• Massimo Giulimondi – Italian chair of the Alpine Space programme
• Thomas Fleury – Joint Secretariat, Interreg Alpine Space programme

12:30 – 13:00 Family photo

13:00 – 14:00 Lunch break                                             

14:00 – 17:00 Workshops & Connections: crafting impactful Alpine projects
Participants will join two of the following interactive workshop sessions:

Idea Lab: Making your project idea a reality

The foundation of a successful project starts long before a proposal is submitted. This interactive session will foster creativity and guide participants in shaping innovative project ideas for Call 3.

Through targeted discussions and collaborative exercises, participants—both experienced project partners and newcomers—will explore funding priorities, refine their concepts, and turn ideas into structured project frameworks. Participants will learn more about call 3 requirements and expectations, pitch project ideas and do hands on work to shape their project ideas along a clear intervention logic.

Peer-to-Peer meeting among Projects & Alpine Convention Thematic Groups and EUSALP Action Groups

Strengthening synergies between Interreg Alpine Space projects, EUSALP, and the Alpine Convention is key to maximizing impact and fostering long-term cooperation. This session, moderated by the staff of Interreg Alpine Space, will provide a platform for project partners and thematic working groups to connect, align priorities, and explore potential collaborations for Call 3.

Participants will identify common goals, define shared priorities and opportunities for enhanced concrete cooperation.

Designing the future: the Alpine Space programme post 2027

Following an Alpine-wide stakeholder consultation initiated by the European Commission, this workshop will provide a platform to deepen discussions and refine proposals for the next programming period. Stakeholders will have the opportunity to share their perspectives on the regional challenges they are experiencing. This interactive session will ensure that the voices of project partners, policymakers, and experts help shape a strategic, future-oriented Alpine Space programme beyond 2027.

Youth in the Alps: engaging the next generation

Young people play an increasingly important role in macro-regional strategies, territorial cohesion, and Alpine cooperation, yet their voices are not always fully recognized. This session aims to empower youth participants, providing them with a platform to share their experiences, connect with stakeholders, and explore new opportunities for involvement in Alpine projects through the Youth Ambassador initiative.

Reflecting on their experiences in Alpine cooperation and developing pitches for projects ideas, young participants will have a stronger voice in shaping the future of Alpine cooperation, while stakeholders will gain valuable insights into fostering meaningful youth engagement in their initiatives.

09:00 – 11:30 On the Ground: Field visits

• Sustainable construction and climate adaptation in the Alpine region – Salzburg (AT)
• Alpine biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management in the Alpine region – Berchtesgaden National Park (DE)

12:00 – 13:30 Alpine picnic