In order to foster cross-border cooperation and address the challenges of integration and mobility, Central European Service for Cross-Border Initiatives (CESCI), together with its project partner, CESCI Carpathia, organised a reference group meeting in Putnok on the 5th February 2024. This event marks an important step in the ACCESS project, which spans from 2023 to 2029, aiming to enhance cross-border integration between Hungary and Slovakia.
The session started with welcoming speeches by Putnok’s Mayor, Barnabás Tamás, who highlighted the historical significance of the town and called for collaboration across municipalities for regional advancement. Zsuzsanna Ihász-Törő from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Dávid Bán from the Ministry of Public Administration and Territorial Development both emphasised the strategic importance of projects like ACCESS in overcoming legal and administrative barriers to cross-border cooperation.
The workshop underscored Putnok’s strong commitment to cross-border cooperation, willing to take a leading role. The forthcoming 23rd Gömör EXPO, an event blending economic, sports, and cultural activities, was cited as evidence of the capacity and willingness to enhance cross-border cooperation.
The discussion spotlighted to the existing labour and student mobility from Slovakia to Hungary, particularly the employment attracting power of the Bosch plant in Miskolc and the cross-border educational opportunities generated by the closure of the Hungarian-language secondary school in Tornaľa. The participants identified the inauguration of bilingual education on the Hungarian side as a solution.
The workshop also explored the possibility of developing sports education cooperation, with proposals for ski training in Rimakokova for Hungarian students and horseback riding in Jósvafő for Slovak students. Furthermore, challenges such as the absence of community transportation and the need for effective student transport arrangements were also discussed.
Participants recognised Putnok’s exemplary social services system, which could serve as a model for the development of cross-border social care. The integration of tourist attractions within a joint destination and the expansion of the Hungarian bicycle path network into Slovakia were also considered as potential fields of integration.
A significant barrier to these initiatives is the lack of dedicated personnel to organise cross-border relations, inform about grant opportunities, and manage projects.
The workshop concluded with several recommendations, including the external assistance for the work of the EGTC seated in Putnok, conducting surveys to support bilingual education and cross-border public transport, establishing a tourism development working group, and disseminating the successful Putnok social model.
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.
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.
Another successful reference group workshop was held on Balassagyarmat