The closing event of the 2014-2020 Interreg V-A Lithuania-Poland Programme (2014-2020 Programme), which took place on 27 September, 2022 in Druskininkai, attracted almost 200 participants from the Lithuanian and Polish border regions. 

Arnoldas Abramavičius, Vice-Minister of the Interior of the Republic of Lithuania, welcomed the participants and congratulated them on the high level of cooperation between Lithuania and Poland, noting that the recent consultations between the governments of the two countries in Vilnius had provided important guidelines in the areas of regional policy, national security, energetics and infrastructure. The Vice-Minister also expressed hope that the achievements of the 2014-2020 programme will form the basis for further cooperation in the border region. 

As regards the new programme period, there are some good news – on 26 September, European Commission officially approved the Interreg VI-A Lithuania-Poland programme for 2021-2027.

Representatives of the Joint Technical Secretariat and the Managing Authority shared their experience from the 2014-2020 financial period, presented relevant information on the new programme and rewarded the project partners for their achievements during the implementation of projects.

The event was devoted to the movie theme – 12 nominations were given to the most unique examples of the cross border cooperation:

-          „A star is born“ for the project LT-PL-4R-326 Unified Culture – Open Door, Minds and Hearts“ for successful start of newcomers;

-          „Fast and furious“ for the project LT-PL-2S-190 „Welcome to the Business Land“ for the project achievements during the shortest project duration;

-          „Police academy“ for the project LT-PL-3R-237 „Improvement of Analytical Investigation Activities in Fight Against Crime“ for enhancing the international cooperation and preventing cross-border crimes as well as increasing the public security at the Lithuanian-Polish border section;

-          „Love actually“ for the project LT-PL-3R-202 „Emergency Response Matrix – a New Approach to Cross-border Emergency Governance“ for a successful and inspiring partnership;

-          „Into the wild“ for the project LT-PL-1R-056 „Natural Heritage – a Tool for Development  of the Birdwatching Tourism in Dzūkija and Biebrza Valley“ for uniqueness and creating the common system for development of birdwatching in Dzūkija and Biebrza regions;

-          „Forever young“ for the project LT-PL-2S-146 „Modern seniors – Cooperation for Active Maturity“ for improving seniors‘ lives and teaching them creative and useful skills in a modern life;

-          „The sound of music“ for the project LT-PL-4R-304 „Joint Youth Employment Initiative Towards Meeting the Cross-border Labour Market Needs“ for supporting musically gifted students;

-          „Only the brave“ for the project LT-PL-5R-352 „Protection and Support for Cross Border Communities“ for risking own life and having a brave heart;

-          „Eat, pray, love“ for the project LT-PL-5R-387 „Wellnes Tourism Revealing the Natural and Cultural Heritage of Trakai and Gizycko Regions“ for promoting memorable gastro experiences including culinary wrkshops with tasting sessions;

-          „We are one“ for the project LT-PL-4R-296 „Cooperation for Succeddful Therapy“ for implementing innovative solutions aimed at social inclusion and integration;

-          „Heaven is a place on earth“ for the project LT-PL-4R-281 „Duck Traveling Cross Border Roads“ for development of a cross-border tourist offer based on the common Lithuanian-Polish natural and cultural heritage;

-          „Stayin‘ alive“ for the project LT-PL-5R-407 „Improvement of Cross-border Health Care Quality in Pandemic Conditions“ for improving the quality of cross-border pandemic healthcare.

What is more, participants had an opportunity to admire the most memorable projects‘ achievements in a photo gallery. The festive mood was created by a joint musical performance by children of the Alytus Adolfas Ramanauskas-Vanagas Gymnasium and the Punsk School of Arts.

The programme also celebrated the European Cooperation Day.  During the event, the children of the M. K. Čiurlionis Art School in Druskininkai took part in a kite-decorating workshop. The event culminated in flying kites into the sky which symbolises the beginning of the new period of the Programme.