Authorities and beneficiaries of the Interreg-IPA Cross-Border Cooperation Program Romania-Serbia gathered in Timișoara to celebrate the launch of the RegioStars local communication campaign.

With the financial support of the European Union, the West University of Timișoara, the Institute of Mining and Metallurgy from Bor (Republic of Serbia), together with the Ecological Collaboration Group Nera Caraș-Severin, utilized their research and education expertise to provide a solution for the rehabilitation and protection of the environment in the Romanian-Serbian border area.

The event marked the beginning of communication activities supported by the European Union for the RORS-337 project: "Romanian-Serbian Network for Assessing and Disseminating the Impact of Copper Mining Activities on Water Quality in the Cross-Border Area," co-financed by the European Union under the Interreg-IPA Cross-Border Cooperation Program Romania-Serbia.

The project participated in the RegioStars competition under the name "From Mine to Rivers. Water Guardians!" and won the RegioStars 2023 Award in the "A Green Europe" category. In the competition, 228 projects co-financed by the European Union participated.

The event was attended by Monika Hencsey, Director for Communication (Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy of the European Commission), H.E. Silvia Davidoiu, Ambassador of Romania to the Republic of Serbia, Prof. Univ. Dr. Enache Cosmin, Vice-Rector of the West University of Timișoara, Sanda Šimic, Deputy Minister (Ministry of European Integration of the Republic of Serbia), Oana Cristea, Head of the Management Authority for the Interreg IPA Romania-Serbia Program, and Anca Lolescu, Executive Director (Regional Office for Cross-Border Cooperation Timișoara).

RegioStars is a competition dedicated to the best projects funded by the European Union that demonstrate the impact and inclusion of regional development, confirming the positive actions taken by project teams to bring valuable changes within the local communities they represent, and to inspire other projects throughout Europe.

Additional information regarding cross-border cooperation between Romania and Serbia can be found by accessing the website www.romania-serbia.net.