The company “Lever -Development Consultants S.A.”, a member of the “Samaras & Associates” Group, participated in the conference entitled: “Territorial cross-border cooperation in SE Europe, institutional consolidation and the role of economic incentives” organized by the European Territorial Cooperation Groups ELIKAS, AMPHIKTYONIA, EFXEINI POLI, on February 18, 2023 at the premises of the University of National and World Economy in Sofia.

The company “Lever -Development Consultants S.A.” was represented at the conference by the Director of the European Projects Department of the company, Ms. Elissavet Pavlidou, who referred to the three important pillars that structure the Territorial Cooperation Programmes (cross-border, transnational, interregional) and their connection with the “Cohesion Policy 2021”, the types of actions that they can finance, as well as the purposes they serve.

In relation to the Cross-Border Territorial Cooperation Programmes, Ms. Pavlidou stated that their main objective is to stimulate “good neighborly” relations and cooperation, while solving common problems and exploiting the comparative advantages of the cross-border area.

At the same time, she underlined the need for Local Authorities, when preparing their Strategic Plans, to take into account the Territorial Cooperation Programmes, in order to achieve a comprehensive development plan by claiming resources from various Structural Funds according to their real needs and priorities.

The conference was attended by important speakers/representatives of the Council of Europe, the Committee of the European Regions, the Greek Government, Local Government, Chambers of Commerce, etc.