Cross-Border Cooperation Congress has been a meeting place for practitioners of international cooperation from the European Union and Eastern Partnership countries, and a platform for dialogue for local governments, non-governmental organizations, science, culture and business. Thousands of people from dozens of countries have participated in previous editions of the Congress.

In 2023 Lublin is European Youth Capital, hence the slogan of the 12th edition of the Congress is the City of Youth. International participants and experts from countries such as Belgium, Croatia, Czechia, Georgia, Moldova, Norway, Ukraine and Great Britain will discuss how to create youth-friendly cities, as well as how local communities can support young people in realizing their needs and aspirations.

During panels, workshops and study visits, we will discuss youth civic engagement, local youth policies and the youth work, as well as the way the young generation is pushing the job market and business to change.

And we are not forgetting the challenges of the ongoing war in Ukraine, triggered by Russia’s unprecedented attack on the independent country, and its long-term effects, particularly acute for a generation of young people. In this context, we will look into the issue of youth migration and its role in intercultural integration and tackling discrimination.

An important element of the program are study visits in youth spaces and youth related venues and projects. The Grants’ Fair will be devoted to the presentation of grant competitions by Foundation for the Development of the Education System (FRSE) and the International Visegrad Fund and the presentation of the Interreg NEXT Poland-Ukraine Program 2021-2027. Partners’ Forum will showcase youth organizations and youth project opportunities.

As every year, the Congress will be accompanied by a diverse programme of cultural events.

The Congress will be streamed online, and simultaneous Polish, English and Ukrainian interpretation will be provided.