PRESS RELEASE

Europe Day Cooperation Marathon: From the voice of Suceava’s youth to European integration strategies in Chernivtsi

The Regional Office for Cross-Border Cooperation (BRCT) Suceava marked Europe Day through a series of events held between May 7 and 11, aimed at spreading fundamental European values and strengthening the bonds between Romania and Ukraine, proving that community spirit and cooperation lay the foundation for a prosperous future within the wider European family. Embracing the concept of a „cooperation marathon,” the BRCT Suceava team embarked on a comprehensive itinerary: from dialogue with future specialists and a round table with county administration leaders, to strategic discussions in Chernivtsi regarding Ukraine’s accession to the European Union.

Chronology of events:

1. New generation energy at USV – Europe of Young Visionaries: The marathon kicked off on May 7 alongside students specializing in International Relations and European Studies at the Faculty of History, Geography, and Social Sciences of the „Ștefan cel Mare” University in Suceava. In an enthusiastic debate, the youth presented their vision for a united Europe, confirming that the success of border projects directly depends on the active involvement of those who will manage the future of the region.

2. Strategies for prosperous regions: The following day, on May 8, at the BRCT Suceava headquarters, the Round Table „May 9 Dialogue: Borderless Cooperation for Prosperous Regions” brought together representatives from Suceava and Botoșani counties, alongside officials from the „Siret-Prut-Dniester”, „Lower Danube”, „Carpathian”, and „Upper Prut” Euroregions. Discussions focused on preparing for the post-2027 programming period and on how regional partnerships can attract larger European funding through unity and effective collaboration.

3.Solidarity and strategic vision in Chernivtsi: The highlight of the week took place today, May 11, at the Chernivtsi Regional State (Military) Administration, where the regional context of Ukraine’s EU integration was discussed. During this event, the Executive Director of BRCT Suceava, Cezar Grozavu, provided a clear perspective on the evolution of cross-border partnership:

„Today, in Chernivtsi, we are talking about a legacy of over 20 years of cooperation that has changed the face of our communities. The foundation we are building upon today was laid by the Euroregions, which represented the first genuine bridges of dialogue, providing the necessary framework of trust long before the existence of current programmes. Despite the difficult conditions of the war, our partners in Ukraine have demonstrated remarkable maturity, achieving all the indicators of the implemented projects. Looking to the future, the accumulated expertise is now an essential tool for Ukraine’s EU accession process, especially through access to large-scale cooperation programmes such as Interreg NEXT Romania-Ukraine. We are already preparing for the post-2027 period and invite partners from both sides of the border to actively participate in the working groups to identify the real priorities of the regions. BRCT Suceava remains a long-term partner: we were present before, we are present now, and we will continue to engage with the same determination for a prosperous region.”

4. On the same day, a significant moment of the visit was the meeting with Mr. Ruslan Osypenko, Head of the Chernivtsi Regional State (Military) Administration, who expressed his gratitude to the Romanian partners for their constant support provided to the region. Highlighting BRCT Suceava’s role as a trusted collaborator, the discussions focused on concrete measures to boost cross-border cooperation and strengthen administrative capacity.
As a result of this dialogue, it was agreed to organize a series of training sessions dedicated to public officials from the Chernivtsi Region, representing an essential preparatory stage for the efficient access to European funds in the post-2027 period. Concurrently, the opportunity to appoint a specialized advisor for regional development within the Administration was analyzed, aimed at coordinating interaction with international partners and providing technical expertise to beneficiaries in drafting and implementing future projects.

The success of these actions is due to the exemplary cooperation with all our collaborators. BRCT Suceava expresses its gratitude to the hosts and co-organizers of these events: „Ștefan cel Mare” University in Suceava, Chernivtsi Regional State (Military) Administration, Chernivtsi Regional Council and Local Council, Chernivtsi Regional Center for Professional Development and Continuous Training, and the Research Institute for European Integration and Regional Studies within the „Yuriy Fedkovych” Chernivtsi National University.

On Europe Day, we reaffirm our commitment to a prosperous and secure region. The cooperation between Romania and Ukraine is living proof that when we unite our efforts, distances disappear and our communities grow together. Our unity is the answer to any trial and the driving force of our common integration.

For more information about BRCT Suceava’s activity: www.brctsuceava.ro, www.standwithukraine.ro

For further details: Larisa Dumitrescu Information, Communication and Selection Expert – BRCT Suceava Phone: +40775115346