Brief overview of the #ACCESS project developments during the first months of 2025

17 June 2025

Brief overview of the #ACCESS project developments during the first months of 2025

17 June 2025

In the first half of 2025, the #ACCESS project advanced its objectives through multiple activities, a brief summary of which can be found below. 

1. Stakeholder engagement and reference group meetings

In spring 2025, the reference group meetings concluded with sessions in Tornaľa, Štúrovo, Dunajská Streda, Šahy, and Komárno. These meetings generated valuable working relationships and identified key topics for future progress in best practice collection and pilot project development, mainly in

  • cross-border health,
  • biowaste management and
  • public transport.

2. Solution gateway and expert support

The help desk service continued providing support, handling two new cases related to labour market obstacles. Legal experts thoroughly analysed these cases and provided practical guidance. Additionally, 20 comprehensive case descriptions of varied obstacles were completed and published online, each featuring a case overview, related news, and best practices. The obstacle database is actively maintained with expert responses to facilitate cross-border problem solving.

3. Addressing cross-border obstacles

Significant progress was made through sector-specific expert meetings:

  • Emergency health services:

    A January 2025 expert meeting in Banská Bystrica focused on harmonising emergency medical services between Hungary and Slovakia, aiming to improve cross-border response times and protocols. Partly as a result of the project, the two ministries are drafting the bilateral treaty enabling cross-border rescue services.

  • Environment:

    February 2025 online meetings addressed forestry challenges such as invasive species and sustainable practices, supplemented by an April 2025 interview with the Ministry of Agriculture on biodiversity conservation.

  • Local products:

    March 2025 discussions in Budapest tackled certification and market access for regional products.

These efforts underscored a collaborative approach to overcoming obstacles and promoting regional integration and sustainable development.

4. Project promotion and awareness

The project maintained strong online visibility via a dedicated website and active social media accounts; 18 Facebook posts, 2 LinkedIn posts, and 12 website articles were published.

5. Case study: Hungarian SIM card access for foreign residents

A highlight of this period was an obstacle identified where Slovak commuters face difficulties applying for Hungarian SIM cards due to a lack of Hungarian addresses. Investigation within the project revealed that while subscriptions require proof of address, to obtain top-up SIM cards, it is enough to have a valid photo ID for EU/EEA citizens. The issue was due to misinformation at customer service points rather than systemic problems. The project facilitated dialogue between telecom providers and regulatory authorities to improve customer service practices.

Building partnership!

The project is financially supported by the European Union,
within the framework of the Interreg Hungary – Slovakia Programme.

For more information visit www.skhu.eu.

Building partnership!

The project is financially supported by the European Union,
within the framework of the Interreg Hungary – Slovakia Programme.

For more information visit www.skhu.eu.

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