Horizon project “SmartEra” – a concrete approach for a smart transformation of rural areas and its policy uptake from a cross-macro-regional perspective

On 17 September 2025, the Mediterranean Coast and Macro-Regional Strategies Week 2025 hosts the workshop ‘Horizon project “SmartEra” – a concrete approach for a smart transformation of rural areas and its policy uptake from a cross-macro-regional perspective’ in Izola.

More information on the registration and programme for the workshop and the whole event week is available here.

The Horizon Europe project SmartEra is dedicated to driving the smart transformation of rural areas through advanced technology and innovative solutions. By showcasing concrete pilot actions and the concept of smart innovation packages, the session aims to demonstrate practical approaches for strengthening rural resilience and creating vibrant, sustainable communities. In addition to sharing insights from the project’s implementation, the session will explore the potential for policy uptake of its results from a cross-macroregional perspective.

Speakers:

• Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy, European Commission (TBC)
• Simona Vrevc, Director General at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food of the Republic of Slovenia
• Midhat Džemić, National Coordinator for EUSDR and EUSAIR, Presidency of Bosnia and Hercegovina of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region
• Iva Čaleta Pleša/Senka Daniel, Pillar Coordinator for TSG4, EU Strategy for the Adriatic – Ionian Region
• Claudia Singer-Smith, EU Strategy for the Danube Region/ PA 10-Inst. Capacity
• Matteo Gerosa, Fondazione Bruno Kessler
• Milica Kovačević, Project Manager in Slow Food Trebinje Hercegovina
• Slavica Samardžić, Slow Food Trebinje Hercegovina member

Moderator:

• Peter Niederer, Swiss Center for Mountain Regions (SAB)

Mediterranean Coast and Macro-Regional Strategies Week 2025

This is an event of the Mediterranean Coast and Macro-Regional Strategies Week 2025 in Izola that takes place from 15 to 17 September 2025.

This milestone event marks a decade of celebrating the Mediterranean Coast Day, emphasizing the balance between its economic potential and environmental sustainability. Over the years, the event has evolved into one of the most important gatherings of all four EU macro-regional strategies where partners and stakeholders engage in meaningful exchanges on key topics. These discussions foster the accelerated development of macro-regional cooperation, inspire innovative ideas and approaches, create synergies, and ultimately enhance the effectiveness and value of these collaborative efforts.

This year, we will explore topics ranging from reflections on the post 2027 Cohesion Policy to the crucial issue of climate resilience.

The event promises an exciting line-up of activities and will bring together politicians, decision-makers, experts, civil society, and the public at local, regional, national, and international level.

The event will be traditionally held in the week leading up to the Mediterranean Coast Day on September 25th, which is widely celebrated across Mediterranean countries. This date was selected to honor Slovenia as the first country in the Mediterranean to ratify the Protocol on Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) in 2009.