Each year on 21 September, Interreg Cooperation Day highlights the power of cross-border collaboration.

Since its launch in 2012, the campaign has grown into a success: over 1,490 events organised, more than 266,000 people engaged, and a reach of 47 million through social media. In 2025, the celebration is especially meaningful as it also marks 35 years of Interreg, three and a half decades of transformation and regional progress.

This year, the Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin Programme is giving the floor to its beneficiaries. Their voices remind us that at the heart of every collaboration, there are people who make it happen.

As part of the celebrations, we asked our beneficiaries a simple but powerful question: ‘’What does Interreg mean to you?’’ Their responses show how cooperation builds trust, forms lasting partnerships, and delivers real impact to communities across the region.

We truly could not have said it better ourselves than in their sincere responses. A heartfelt thank you to all our projects for their time, energy, and dedication. Happy Interreg Day 2025! Here is to many more years of celebrating cooperation across borders.