AEBR Balkans

16/12/2025

📣 Updated b‑solutions Expert Call: New Structure, Same Mission

We’re excited to share that the updated b‑solutions call for expressions of interest is now live — and it brings an important enhancement for experts working to overcome cross‑border obstacles in Europe.

🔍 What remains unchanged? We continue to seek experts with proven experience in cross‑border cooperation, strong legal analysis skills, and solid consultancy expertise. These profiles are essential for helping border regions navigate complex administrative and legal obstacles and for shaping practical, sustainable solutions.

✨ What’s new — and key to this call: A clear distinction is now made between b-solutions’ Objective 1 and 2, allowing experts to better match their skills to the type of work they are most suited for.

➖ Objective 1: Identify and analyse legal or administrative obstacles and propose solutions.

➖ Objective 2: Go a step further by developing a concrete implementation plan for a solution previously proposed under b‑solutions and presenting it to stakeholders.

Experts can now apply for one or both objectives through our updated online application form (https://www.b-solutionsproject.com/experts-apply) - offering greater flexibility and ensuring each case benefits from the most relevant expertise.

💡 Already selected b‑solutions experts remain in our pool and do not need to reapply.

08/10/2025

08/10/2025

🌍 Cross-border Labour Mobility and European Integration in the Western Balkans

On 7 October, our international conference “Cross-border Labour Mobility and European Integration in the Western Balkans” took place successfully in Osijek. EU institutions, Western Balkan government representatives, regional actors and experts came together to discuss the challenges and opportunities of cross-border labour mobility in the context of EU integration of the Western Balkans.

💬 We addressed many important questions – and even more new ones emerged.
🤝 The most important result: the conversation has started, laying the foundations for future cooperation and joint solutions.

A heartfelt thank you to all speakers and participants for your valuable contributions and inspiring discussions!

08/10/2025

30/09/2025

🚨 Last chance to register – deadline is tomorrow, 30 September!
Join AEBR at the European Week of Regions and Cities 2025 and explore our initiatives at dedicated stands and sessions in Brussels!

🛑 Stands – Grand Hall 2, Square Brussels (14–15 October)
🔹 Youth4Cooperation, in collaboration with the European Commission’s DG REGIO
Following this year’s motto, “Shaping tomorrow, together”, discover how young people make a real impact in co-shaping cooperation across regions. Meet IVY volunteers and IVY Alumni, as well as representative of other youth initiatives in territorial cooperation.
Registration: https://regions-and-cities.europa.eu/programme/2025/sessions/46869
Interreg Volunteer Youth - IVY

🔹 b-solutions @ Border Focal Point / EU REGIO Interreg
Discover how EU-funded legal analyses are helping identify solutions to border obstacles. Meet the team to ask any questions on the support provided and how to apply to the current call.
Registration: https://regions-and-cities.europa.eu/programme/2025/programme/47569

🔹 Cross-Border Energy Communities (CBECs), in collaboration with Mission Opérationnelle Transfrontalière
Learn about the CBECs call for proposals (open until 21 November 2025) to support actors in border regions to develop (quasi) cross-border energy communities with technical assistance from REScoop.eu and €15,000 subgrants.
Registration: https://regions-and-cities.europa.eu/programme/2025/sessions/47692

🎤 Sessions – 15 October
🕒 11:30–13:00 | JDE 52, CoR – Jacques Delors Building
Regions and Municipalities in Action: Tackling Uncertainty in Cross-Border Territories
Explore how local actors are strengthening disaster prevention and civil protection in border areas. Moderated by Martin Guillermo Ramirez, AEBR’s Secretary General.
Registration: https://regions-and-cities.europa.eu/programme/2025/sessions/46443

🕒 14:30–16:00 Room VMA21, CoR – Van Maerlant Building
A Dialogue for Enhanced Cross-Border Cooperation to Shape the BRIDGEforEU Regulation
Join EU and regional leaders to discuss the BRIDGEforEU Regulation and the future of cohesion policy.
Registration: https://regions-and-cities.europa.eu/programme/2025/programme/48785

📲 Don’t miss out – register by 30 September to be part of the conversation shaping Europe’s border regions!

26/09/2025

📣 Join us for a strategic b-solutions Conference on cross-border labour mobility and European integration in the Western Balkans

📅 7 October 2025
📍 Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Croatia

In collaboration with Pannon Európai Területi Társulás and Sveučilište Josipa Jurja Strossmayera u Osijeku, we’re hosting a strategic b-solutions conference focused on tackling legal and administrative obstacles to cross-border employment.

The event will also explore the broader strategic relevance of labour mobility for EU integration and enlargement in the Western Balkans—highlighting how tools like b-solutions can help build competitive cross-border labour markets.

🔍 Join us to:
✅ Hear real-world examples of cross-border employment challenges and solutions
✅ Discover how b-solutions fosters EU cooperation and competitiveness
✅ Connect with experts and stakeholders from local, national, regional & EU levels
✅ Take away concrete tools to address legal and administrative barriers to labour mobility

📌 Register by 30 September: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScn1Lyzvu9L6_NYdyQ2PqRJTGEvK-zhRkqcB6Z1z9IellmCvA/viewform
📄 Agenda & travel info are available online: https://www.aebr.eu/strategic-b-solutions-conference-cross-border-labour-mobility-and-european-integration-in-the-western-balkans/

Let’s address cross-border obstacles—together—and drive European integration forward!

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23/09/2025

🔋 Webinar: Cross-Border Energy Communities – Unlocking Cooperation for a Clean Energy Transition
📅 8 October | 09:30–12:00 CET

How can energy communities thrive across borders and contribute to Europe’s clean energy goals? Join this interactive webinar hosted by the Interact Programme to explore innovative cross-border approaches to energy cooperation.

With insights from European Commission's DG REGIO and DG ENER, as well as REScoop.eu, the European federation of energy communities, the session will also feature experiences from Interreg beneficiaries working on energy-related projects.

📣 The webinar will showcase the open call for Cross-Border Energy Communities (CBECs), jointly managed by AEBR and Mission Opérationnelle Transfrontalière, offering expert support and funding to actors in border regions aiming to develop or expand their (quasi) cross-border energy communities. More info on the call, open until 21 November: https://border-energy-communities.eu/call-for-proposals/

💡 Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, connect, and help shape the future of cross-border energy cooperation.

🔗 Register here for the webinar: https://www.interact.eu/about-interact/our-service/events/cross-border-energy-communities-unlocking-cooperation-for-a-clean-energy-transition



EU REGIO Interreg
Europe in my region

16/09/2025

🚧 Still facing a cross-border obstacle? Let’s tackle it—together.

The call for new b-solutions cases is still open until 27 February 2026!

Public authorities and cross-border structures still have time to submit cases addressing legal or administrative obstacles in border regions. Selected cases will benefit from expert analysis and tailored recommendations.

📣 To support potential applicants, an Info Session will be held on 2 October from 11:00 to 12:00 CEST, offering insights into the application process and the type of support available.

🔗 Registration link: https://forms.office.com/e/MMyqgbRXmy?origin=lprLink

🌐 Explore more infomation about the call on our webiste https://www.b-solutionsproject.com/call-for-proposalsand as well as about the other cases selected https://www.b-solutionsproject.com/projects



EU REGIO Interreg

10/09/2025

📢 Cross-border Labour Mobility and EU Integration in the Western Balkans

On 7 October 2025, Pannon EGTC, together with the Association of European Border Regions - AEBR / AGEG / ARFE and Sveučilište Josipa Jurja Strossmayera u Osijeku, is hosting the Strategic b-solutions Conference in Osijek, Croatia.

🇪🇺 The conference will focus on how cross-border labour mobility has the potential to support European integration and competitiveness in the Western Balkans. By reducing legal and administrative obstacles, fairer and more efficient cross-border labour markets can be developed – helping the region to move closer to the EU.

Pannon EGTC has already developed practical solutions through the b-solutions initiative, tackling obstacles to cross-border employment between Hungary and Croatia. These experiences will serve as inspiration for Western Balkan regions, showing how EU tools can help overcome barriers, create fair cross-border labour markets, and boost competitiveness.

🔹 Programme highlights:
✔️ Western Balkan perspectives on labour mobility and EU integration
✔️ Pannon EGTC case studies from the Hungary–Croatia border
✔️ Expert inputs on legal and administrative frameworks
✔️ Networking with local, national, regional and EU stakeholders

📍 University of Osijek, Trg Svetog Trojstva 3
🕘 09:00 – 16:00, followed by a networking cocktail 🍸

👉 Register by 20 September 2025: https://forms.gle/UD6Ud7x5qPQvzNnJ9

04/09/2025

🗓️ Save the date! Join us on 24 September (10:00–11:30 CEST) for the webinar " Unblocking border regions: Tackling cross-border obstacles through cooperation and coordination" 🌍

Together with Interact Programme, ITEM and Mission Opérationnelle Transfrontalière (MOT), we’ll explore the impact of the ISO1 priority of Interreg in addressing border barriers and its relevance for post-2027 cohesion policy.

With the final BRIDGEforEU regulation now in place, we’ll also discuss how Cross-Border Coordination Points and ISO1 projects can strengthen territorial cohesion.

🔍 Featured projects:

✅ Alcotraité
✅ ACCESS
✅ Schakelpunt Grensbelemmeringen

📌 Register here: https://www.interact.eu/about-interact/our-service/events/unblocking-border-regions-tackling-cross-border-obstacles-through-cooperation-and-coordination

📅 Don’t miss this opportunity to dive into better governance and cross-border solutions. This discussion also feeds into the upcoming EURW session: “A Dialogue for Enhanced Cross-Border Cooperation to Shape the BRIDGEforEU Regulation”

🗓️ 15 October 2025 | 🕒 14:30–16:00
More information coming soon!

27/08/2025

📆 Mark your calendars: The 2nd Call for b-solutions Pilot Actions launches on 1 September!

Are you a former b-solutions case and ready to take your identified solution further? This is your chance to turn your ideas into action!

Starting 1 September, you can apply for support through the 2nd call for b-solutions pilot actions, offering 3 grants of 30.000€.

💻 Want to learn more? Join our Info Session on 4 September, 11:00–12:00 (CEST) to get all the details and ask your questions.

🔗 Register for the info session here: https://lnkd.in/eb8fQmvx

🌐 More info about the call will be available on our website soon: https://lnkd.in/eKdPM9_Y

Let’s build smarter, more connected border regions—together!