On 16 April, the city of Gorizia hosted the Transnational Congress organised by the EU-funded project Trans-Borders+, bringing together over 50 participants from Germany, Austria, Italy, Slovenia, and the Czech Republic.
The Congress showcased the project’s latest achievements in strengthening cross-border mobility, integrating public transport networks, and promoting sustainable regional development.
A special highlight was the presentation of the cross-border bus service between Gorizia and Nova Gorica, operated by APT Gorizia.
The service connecting strategic urban areas on both sides of the border has been in operation since 2002, when Slovenia was not yet part of the European Union, but it has been completely redesigned to meet the new mobility requirements of the two cities that will together be the European Capital of Culture 2025.
Participants discussed innovative approaches for low-carbon mobility, smart mobility solutions, and the interoperability of transport systems across borders. Representatives from other Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE projects – including EnClode, Nutshell@CE, and BorderLabs CE – contributed to dynamic exchanges on finding synergies and scaling up best practices.
Authorities from the Region Friuli Venezia Giulia, the Municipality of Gorizia, and the GECT GO/EZTS GO presented their strategies for enhancing cross-border cooperation and improving citizen accessibility.
The Congress demonstrated that transnational cooperation and better governance are key to building a more connected, smart, and sustainable Central Europe.