2026. MAR 03.

Aerial Firefighting in Practice

The #ergodic project contributes to reducing the risk of forest fires in the Hungarian–Slovak region by improving ground support capacities for aerial firefighting operations.

Key developments:
• A 60 m³ mobile water reservoir to ensure more efficient servicing of helicopter-based firefighting
• Special off-road vehicles and technical equipment for interventions in difficult terrain
• A new, certified aerial firefighting training programme for volunteer units

The latter has already been implemented through a targeted two-day professional training course focusing specifically on ground support for aerial firefighting operations.

During the training, participants not only gained theoretical knowledge but also developed practical skills through hands-on exercises essential for the safe support of helicopter interventions — with particular emphasis on the installation and operation of mobile water reservoirs.

The programme included:
• An overview of technologies used in aerial firefighting
• Safety regulations related to helicopter operations
• Practical methods for ensuring and refilling firefighting water supplies

The overall objectives of the #ergodic project:
• Strengthening ground capacities for aerial firefighting
• Enhancing the technical and tactical capabilities of volunteer units
• Reinforcing cross-border cooperation

Back to previous page

Closure of the 2nd Call for Proposals of the Interreg VI-A NEXT Hungary–Slovakia–Romania–Ukraine Programme

The 2nd Call for Proposals of the Interreg VI-A NEXT Hungary–Slovakia–Romania–Ukraine Programme has officially closed. A total of 314 project applications were submitted, demonstrating strong interest in cross-border cooperation across the Programme area.

Applicants requested €280.7 million in EU contribution, which significantly exceeds the available budget and highlights the continued relevance and attractiveness of the Programme’s thematic priorities.

Distribution by Priority Objective

Applications were submitted across five Priority Objectives, reflecting a varied level of interest among the priorities. This distribution demonstrates the wide scope of proposed cross-border initiatives and the continued engagement of regional and local actors within the Programme area.

Next steps

The Programme will proceed with the assessment of the submitted applications in accordance with the applicable rules and procedures. Applicants will be informed about the evaluation timeline and the next steps in due course.

The Managing Authority and the Joint Secretariat express their appreciation to all applicants for their active participation and dedication to strengthening cross-border cooperation within the Programme area.

For more information please visit the Programme website: https://next.huskroua-cbc.eu/closure-of-the-2nd-call-for-proposals-of-the-interreg-vi-a-next-hungary-slovakia-romania-ukraine-programme/

Details

Aerial Firefighting in Practice

The #ergodic project contributes to reducing the risk of forest fires in the Hungarian–Slovak region by improving ground support capacities for aerial firefighting operations.

Details

A new colleague strengthens the work of the Joint Secretariat of Interreg VI-A IPA Hungary- Serbia

From the beginning of February 2026 the VI-A IPA Hungary-Serbia JS have a new team member, as Federica Attianese joined as an IVY Reporter for six months, contributing to share the progress and outcomes of the projects, aimed at fostering and encouraging the harmonious cross-border development of the region.

Details

BaNEx - Nature belongs to everyone!

Nature is for everyone! The BaNEx project was initiated on the basis of this fundamental idea, with the objective of providing nature tourism experiences for people with special needs.

Details

Swiss support improves drinking water quality in Hejőbába, Hejőpapi and Nemesbikk

A new development project launched by Borsodvíz Önkormányzati Közüzemi Szolgáltató Zrt. will provide safer drinking water supplies for nearly 4,000 residents in the municipalities of Hejőbába, Hejőpapi and Nemesbikk, with nearly HUF 640 million in funding from the Swiss Contribution.

A total of CHF 15.9 million in funding is available under the "Improving Water Quality in Hungary" program, with all of the funds allocated to the "Drinking Water" program going to less developed regions. Nine municipalities will receive support through six initiatives, primarily aimed at reducing iron and manganese content.

Details

TinyGreen – less is greener! Cross-border awareness-raising program to promote climate-conscious lifestyles.

At the end of January, the Írottkő Nature Park Association, the lead partner of the TinyGreen project, which is funded by the Interreg Austria-Hungary Programme, received an invitation to the European Week for Waste Reduction awards ceremony.

The TinyGreen project aims to actively help the population of the border region, micro-communities, tourists visiting the area, and local service providers to switch to a climate-conscious (green) lifestyle through experience-sharing, guidance, and awareness-raising events.

Details

Start-up Seminar, Sopron

On 27 January 2026, the INTERREG VI-A AT-HU programme held a seminar for beneficiaries of the 5th decision round’s approved projects at the Innovation Centre in Sopron. The Joint Secretariat presented the rules and framework conditions for project contracting and start-up activities to about 50 participants.

Details

Flexible Orienteering Introduces Inclusion in Sport in the Cross-Border Region

The CBC in FlexO project, supported within the Interreg VI-A Hungary-Croatia Programme, kicked off on the final weekend in January with their opening event and a series of workshops aimed at making the orienteering sport accessible to as many people as possible, regardless of their physical or mental health challenges. The three organisations involved in the project - „Tájfutásért–Pécs” Alapítvány, Orijentacijski klub Varaždin and Zselici Tájfutó és Szabadidősport Egyesület - will spend the next year educating and training both the organisers of orienteering events as well as the potential participants in order to make the activities available to any and all interested. At their first event in January there was already an opportunity to support a person of reduced mobility in taking part in the activities by introducing the Flexible Orienteering concept into their usual events.

Details

From Mill to Mill: Preserving the technical heritage of Slovenia and Hungary

The From Mill to Mill project, co-financed by the Interreg Programme Slovenia-Hungary, focuses on preserving and revitalizing the technical and cultural heritage of historic mills in Slovenia and Hungary, highlighting their long-standing use of sustainable energy. Project partners developed new programming and marketing content to breathe life into abandoned mills and strengthen their role in rural Europe.

Details

Cross-border cooperation along the Romanian-Hungarian border

In the 2021-2027 Programming period of the INTERREG VI-A Romania-Hungary Programme, the 6.3. Interreg Specific Objective aims to strengthen cross-border cooperation by building mutual trust between communities, with a particular focus on people-to-people partnerships. Eligible activities encourage civil society initiatives that, by enhancing cross-border cooperation, lay the foundation for future, more structured and community-led interventions.
32 projects are currently being implemented under Objective 6.3 under Priority 3 (Cooperation) of the Programme, with a total ERDF contribution of EUR 5.19 million. The projects serve to strengthen social cohesion in the border region and to deepen cooperation between institutional and civil society actors.

Details

Interreg ATHU CrossEcoSys – Cross-border cycling route to experience the lake Fertő

Building on the NEduNet project, implemented in the period 2014-2020, which focused on raising awareness of the unified natural environment, the CrossEcoSys project, funded by the Interreg Austria-Hungary Programme for the period 2021-2027, aims to make this natural environment accessible to visitors in a sustainable way without borders. By closing the gap and creating a continuous NP1 national park cycle path, visitors can explore the different habitats of the cross-border national park, ranging from meadows and pastures to soda lakes, reed and sand habitats, and finally to the Hanság.

Details

Strong Parents, Strong Children! – BOUNCE BACK Parent Workshops

The Interreg AT–HU project BOUNCE BACK promotes resilience and life skills in Hungarian and Austrian schools. In the cross-border region, parents were invited to take part in workshops designed to help them better support their children in various areas: from choosing the right career path and strengthening reading and critical-thinking skills to building resilience for everyday life.

Details

Celebrating 35 Years of Interreg through a Creative Bake-Off Challenge

On 16 December 2025, one of our projects, FeedingFuture, took part in the Bake-Off Challenge organised to mark 35 years of Interreg, within the framework of the Interreg Hungary–Serbia Programme. The participation was part of the project’s “Communication and Branding” training course and contributed to the broader European celebration of Interreg Cooperation Day.

Details

Cross-border solutions for pollen allergy and sustainable urban development launched in the PollenCare project

The PollenCare project, co-funded by the Interreg AT–HU programme, recently kicked off in Austria with strong interest from Austrian and Hungarian stakeholders. The project aims to deliver scientifically based, cross-border solutions to reduce the burden of pollen allergy in local communities. The opening event, held on 3 December 2025, brought together representatives from professional organisations, municipalities and authorities to discuss how environmental health aspects can be better integrated into urban green planning.

Details

Two flood protection developments successfully completed along the River Ipel'

Two project elements have been successfully completed within the framework of the “Flood Protection along the River Ipel', #floodguard” (HUSK/2302/1.2/058) project. The developments aim to ensure the safe drainage of sudden rainfall and to reduce the risk of inland flooding through the cooperation of Ludányhalászi, Endrefalva and Obec Čeláre.

Details

Promoting Multilingualism in Public Life – the Language APL project

The Language APL – Cross-border Language Accessibility in Public Life project (HUSKROUA/23/S/3.1/011) promotes multilingualism as a key component of inclusive public life in the Hungarian–Ukrainian–Romanian border region. Implemented through cooperation among the partner organisations, the project supports social inclusion, equal access to public services and cross-border economic cooperation by reducing language barriers.

Details