European Researchers' Night presents: Interreg Cooperation Day

"I think we're missing the point a little," my colleague murmurs while reading a description of our activities that I have just written.

"It's true that we have both local and international projects. It's true that our funding comes from both regional and international sources. And it's also true that the priorities and objectives can differ," she continues.

She is not exactly my colleague at Centria University of Applied Sciences. She is my project colleague from Novia University of Applied Sciences. Together, we share a vibrant campus building in the town of Jakobstad/Pietarsaari, a place that has become a hub for culture, arts, learning, and creativity. Both Centria and Novia have offices here. The same building is home to vocational education, preparatory education for immigrants, adult education, and art and music schools for children and young people.

This autumn, Centria and Novia are jointly organizing European Researchers' Night to showcase research, development and innovation activities to local citizens. To make the event possible, we have received a small European grant.

Earlier this autumn, we sent out a survey to local residents together with municipal development professionals. We wanted to find out what people are interested in and what they would like to learn more about. Among the feedback were several questions that pointed to a common theme: the visibility of research and development activities could be improved. The discussion with my colleague is really about that.

"International projects also have a local impact," I suddenly realize. "In fact, they often have a very significant one."

"Take Interreg projects, for example," my colleague replies. "These projects usually begin when a development need is identified in a specific region."

"But developing solutions together is much more rewarding," I continue. "When we collaborate, we learn what is being done elsewhere in the Nordic countries and across the Baltic Sea region. By sharing experiences, we often find better ways to solve challenges in our own communities."

When we collaborate, we learn what is being done elsewhere in the Nordic countries and across the Baltic Sea region. By sharing experiences, we often find better ways to solve challenges in our own communities

An opportunity to show citizens what researchers and innovators actually do

On Researchers' Night, we want to show citizens what researchers and innovators actually do. We are creating interactive and inspiring spaces on our campus where visitors can test, try, and explore different activities themselves.

Yet, while planning the architecture of the event, we realized that there is another story worth telling. We do not only want to present our work. We also want to show where our expertise comes from, why we do what we do, why we enjoy working in our small coastal town, what we have learned from others, and how important international networks are in creating local impact. The benefits often return home, improving everyday life in the communities where projects begin.

That is why this year's European Researchers' Night also celebrates Interreg Cooperation Day.

Come and visit our poster exhibition!

European Researchers' Night presents: Interreg Cooperation Day

Place: Campus Allegro, Jakobstad/Pietarsaari, Finland
Time: 25 September at 15:00-20:00

Discover how international cooperation creates local impact, and explore the projects that are shaping the future of our region.

The European Researchers’ Night is funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) through the MSCA & Citizens action.

What is Interreg Cooperation Day?

Interreg Cooperation Day is the annual campaign through which Interreg programmes and partners bring cooperation closer to citizens. 

Every year on 21 September, and throughout the surrounding weeks, programmes across Europe organise local events of all kinds: from sports and nature activities to cultural festivals and creative workshops.

Facilitated by the Interact Programme, it is a chance to show people, concretely, what EU cooperation means for their lives.