Metropolitan areas are currently at the centre of Europe’s most critical challenges – from climate adaptation and social cohesion to driving competitiveness and innovation. On 19 March 2026, Brno will host a pivotal conference exploring these themes: “Solutions for strong metropolitan cooperation and governance: Metropolitan areas for European cohesion and growth.”
Why it matters
Metropolitan areas concentrate people, resources, and know-how. They are the places where challenges are most acute, but also where the most effective solutions are born.
This conference will bring together experts and stakeholders to discuss how improved metropolitan governance and cooperation can unlock the full potential of these territories. Key topics will include:
- Solutions to European challenges: How metropolitan areas can drive balanced development across Europe.
- Policymaking: Strengthening the role of metropolitan areas in national and European frameworks.
- Funding: The recognition and strategic importance of metropolitan areas in the upcoming Multiannual Financial Framework.
The finale of MECOG-CE
This event serves as the final milestone of the MECOG-CE project. Led by Brno for over three years, the project has focused on strengthening metropolitan cooperation in Central Europe. Important outputs and strategic tools developed during the project’s implementation will be presented.
The registration
Join us to discuss what needs to change to empower our metropolitan areas as engines of strategic transformation. You can register via this link by 19 February.
The programme
You can find the preliminary programme of the event below or in this document. The event will be held in the Museum of Applied Arts.
- 8:30 – 9:00 Registration and welcome coffee
- 9:00 – 9:15 Official opening
Welcome by Markéta Vaňková, Mayor of Brno and Zuzana Mrázová, Minister of Regional Development of the Czech Republic (TBC) and other distinguished guests
- 9:15 – 9:30 Keynote: Strengthening the role of metropolitan areas
Jan Olbrycht, former chair of the Urban Intergroup of the European Parliament, advisor to European Commissioner for Budget and Administration Piotr Serafin
- 9:30 – 10:15 Metropolitan cooperation in action: MECOG-CE project – collaborative approaches to metropolitan challenges
The first part will introduce the MECOG-CE project and the role of Interreg Central Europe programme. Discover the status quo of metropolitan cooperation within the Central European context.
Christophe Ebermann, Head of Project Unit – Operations, Joint Secretariat of Interreg Central Europe programme
František Kubeš, Head of Strategic Development and Cooperation Department, City of Brno
The second part will focus on best tools and practices of metropolitan areas in Central Europe. The presentation will show what works and what could potentially be implemented.
Robert Pyka and Zuzanna Neuve-Église, professor and sociologist at Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Silesia
- 10:15 – 11:00 Looking ahead: Metropolitan Vision and Strategic framework for better metropolitan governance
The visionary and strategic session will start with the Common Metropolitan Vision that showcases the desirable future of metropolitan areas, their strengths and what they need to unlock their potential.
Luděk Sýkora, professor at Department of Social Geography and Regional Development, Charles University
The session will continue with the Strategy for strengthening metropolitan cooperation and governance. This strategic framework provides step by step guidance for metropolitan areas to enhance their territory.
Iván Tosics, Metropolitan Research Institute, Budapest
- 11:00 – 11:30 Coffee break
- 11:30 – 11:50 Signing of the memorandum on cooperation
The representatives of the MECOG-CE project partners will sign the memorandum focusing on their future joint activities.
- 11:50 – 13:00 The future of metropolitan areas from a Czech and European perspective
The panel discussion will focus on the current status of metropolitan areas in Czechia, specific features of the Central European region, the future trends in the development in European metropolitan areas, or visibility of metropolitan level at the European one. Explore how the outputs of the MECOG-CE project can be used and why is it crucial to support the development of metropolitan areas.
Panellists (TBC): Ministry of Regional Development of the Czech Republic, Association of Metropolitan Areas and Agglomerations of the Czech Republic, Eurocities, experts and Central European metropolitan areas
- 13:00 – 14:00 Lunch
- 14:00 – 14:45 Key tools for metropolitan development: Inspirational examples developed within the MECOG-CE project
Interactive afternoon session. It will start with the presentation by each metropolitan area participating in the MECOG-CE project. Discover their journey throughout the project and their solutions for strengthening metropolitan cooperation.
Soňa Raszková, Brno Metropolitan Area
Jürgen Neumüller, Capital Region Berlin-Brandenburg
Massimo Vettoretti, Metropolitan City of Turin
Dušan Pöllich, Ostrava Metropolitan Area
Simone Jung, Verband Region Stuttgart
Andrzej Czajkowski, Warsaw Metropolis Association
- 14:45 – 16:00 Metropolitan collaboration in practice – Thematic Workshops
Workshops will focus on four topics connected to metropolitan cooperation: mobility, governance, participative process, food cooperation.
Mobility is crucial for metropolitan citizens to move within the territory, commute to work, school or for leisure activities. Governance represents important metropolitan aspect and having appropriate structures leads to coordinated development. Participative process ensures inclusion of relevant stakeholders in the development processes within the territory. Food cooperation is then essential for a proper enhancement of resilient and sustainable food systems.
This part can also serve for the identification of the new transnational projects’ collaborations among participants.
- 16:00 – 16:15 Workshop insights
Summary of workshops outcomes by their leaders – identification of top issues to be addressed and what can be done jointly.
- 16:15 – 16.30 Closing remarks
Martin Příborský, member of the Assembly responsible for strategic development and metropolitan cooperation, City of Brno
- 16:30 – 17:00 Networking coffee
- 17:00 – 18:00 Optional Tour at the Museum of Applied Arts
Discover the building and its exhibitions with English guide.
- 19:00 Joint Dinner
