”It was really amazing to have these 3 types of cooperation exercises: to have a typical discussion, to connect two projects teams in a cooperative competition, and to bring more projects on a joint platform, as a first step on the capitalization path. We are confident that the follow ups will bring added value to cross-border cooperation along the Romanian-Ukrainian border.”  

UNIV.E.R-U team

”COVID-19 has slowed down many projects and our office current tasks, but it generated a clear result for everyone: the digitalization. The digitalization did not count borders. Instead, it upgraded the connections between Romania and Ukraine at a next level. Each crisis has its own opportunities and the digitalization is the best till now. For our organization, this means working from home, electronic signature, video conferences. It displayed once more the need for implementing digital services for our employees and for all the projects beneficiaries from Romania and Ukraine. Pandemic crisis succeeded to force citizens’ digital skills and open new approaches for us. It confirmed the critical role of the digitalization of the public and private sector in creating resilient and adaptable societies in both countries.”  

Cezar Grozavu, Executive Director of Regional Office for Cross Border Cooperation Suceava

”As professionals, pandemic was and still is about our capacity to adapt and face the unexpected and disruptions without losing balance and the sense of purpose. To this end, pragmatism, enhanced communication and creativity are the new energies now required to move our programme forward and farther.”  

Ingrid Bucșa, Director of the Joint Technical Secretariat of Joint Operational Program Romania – Ukraine 2014-2020

”Implementing a cross-border project that contains elements of social bonding during a pandemic is a real challenge. On the one hand, our efforts should bring members of society closer, make them more receptive and friendly. On the other hand, the recommendations indicate that social distance should be maintained. Online methods of coordinating events helped us a lot. This is a common challenge that needs to be overcome together. Only through cross-border solidarity will we be able to succeed.”  

Marin Herman, project coordinator of „Bucovinian Ethnic Special Treasure” 2SOFT/2.1/46

”The year of 2020 has made its adjustments in the lives and plans of each of us. But it also gave us many new perspectives and benefits! Virtual communication with partners can also be interesting and opens new horizons. Conferences in “ZOOM” – we can, we do, we practice! The possibilities of the Internet are endless! The work can go on indefinitely… as long as there is electricity.”  

Svitlana Skrykuliak, Mamaliga village council, project coordinator of “Common Solutions to Common Problems: Natural and Man-Made Disasters at the Romanian-Ukrainian Border” 2SOFT/4.2/160 and “Joint Actions for Preventing Natural and Man-Made Disasters at Romanian-Ukrainian Border” 2SOFT/4.2/179

”After the initial uncertainty caused by COVID-19 restriction measures, activities under the RESFOR project have continued according to plans with insignificant delay. Partners have been united in performing a risk assessment and adaptive management. Scheduled physical meetings have successfully taken place online, and budget savings may actually lead to the maximization of project results via new opportunities.”  

Monia Martini, project manager of “Promote deadwood for resilient forests in the Romanian-Ukrainian cross border region” RESFOR, 2SOFT/1.2/13

”In life, you cannot predict all the threats and problems that await people, society. The main thing is that through working and learning something new, we gain new experience. This makes us more aware of the latest trends, more open to innovation. Thanks to the support of the Lead Beneficiary and Joint Technical Secretariat Suceava specialists, we accept any challenges in a balanced and calm manner and are aware of the tasks. During the project implementation period, including 5 months of work in difficult conditions due to the spread of coronavirus infection COVID-19, we formed a team of like-minded people who care about children with special educational needs, gained practical knowledge about working on the Internet, effective use of remote forms of work communication. Practice has shown that we are ready for challenges, for successful completion of tasks, for self-improvement and finding new solutions. Even if we are lagging behind in something, we strive to catch up through efforts, gaining new experience and the help of others. Today we are beginning to feel the joy of the work process, and therefore the achievement of success. We are going all out, improving our experience.”  

Natalia Tkachuk, director of Chernivtsi special secondary boarding school №2, project coordinator of “Special Education in the cross-border area Suceava – Chernivtsi: modern, inclusive and adequate to labor market”, 2SOFT/1.1/35

” We had the chance to implement our motto “We can transform challenges into opportunities” and the ACTEDJ team manages not only to successfully implement its projects, but also to contract new ones. We found new support systems and worked together in a cross-border context, growing together. ”  

Natalia Budescu, Association of Cross-border Cooperation “Lower Danube Euroregion”, LIP Cross – Border Health Infrastructure