3rd BNA G2G Meeting in Campobasso
08/11/2024
Campobasso, Italy – July 1, 2024 – Eight municipalities gathered at the TREND headquarters in Campobasso to strengthen EU cooperation and boost multilevel governance across Europe in a Governance-to-Governance (G2G) meeting. The event, attended by representatives dedicated to addressing shared challenges in climate policy, public health, and economic development, aimed to bolster project design and management skills among regional and local authorities, fostering a foundation for long-term collaboration and mutual growth.
The meeting opened with a welcoming address by Pierluigi Lagioia of TREND, who introduced the core objectives of the initiative. Highlighting the importance of cross-border collaboration, Lagioia emphasized how shared resources, knowledge, and best practices can lead to sustainable regional development. This collective approach, he noted, not only strengthens regional ties but also fosters greater cultural understanding across European borders.
Central to the day’s discussions was the role of local participation in shaping effective EU projects. Discussion led an insightful session on the importance of bottom-up engagement, encouraging municipalities to consider community-driven solutions as a foundation for project sustainability. A questionnaire was presented to gather input from attendees, reinforcing the idea that community needs should inform the design and goals of EU-funded projects.
To support the development of these projects, Roberto D’Amico introduced a training initiative tailored to build cross-border project skills among local public authorities. This training will help local leaders plan and implement EU-funded initiatives more effectively, strengthening the collaboration between EU regions and maximizing the impact of funding. By equipping local authorities with these skills, the program seeks to streamline the process of accessing and managing EU resources.
A key goal discussed at the meeting was the establishment of a cross-border network to facilitate joint initiatives among municipalities. Adolfo Colagiovanni outlined plans for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to create a cluster that would drive new project proposals and foster partnerships across regions. This network, he explained, would not only encourage ongoing collaboration but also ensure a cohesive workflow in EU project development, underscoring the importance of collective action in tackling shared challenges.
The meeting closed with interactive discussions and a dedicated networking session, giving participants the chance to exchange ideas and build connections in a relaxed environment. Attendees completed a feedback questionnaire to help identify priority areas for future collaboration, while informal conversations further solidified the connections between municipalities, paving the way for potential future partnerships.
As the day wrapped up, it was clear that the G2G meeting in Campobasso had achieved its goal of enhancing EU cooperation and multilevel governance. By focusing on skill-building, grassroots involvement, and the creation of cross-border networks, the event laid a promising foundation for ongoing collaboration. This meeting marked an important step forward in addressing shared territorial challenges, providing municipalities across Europe with a stronger, unified voice in promoting sustainable growth and resilient governance.