The Interreg IPA Romania–Serbia Programme marked Interreg Cooperation Day 2026 with an educational event in Orom, Municipality of Kanjiža, dedicated to fire prevention, emergency response and community preparedness.
The event brought together around 120 participants, including representatives of public institutions, emergency services, voluntary fire brigades, project partners and local communities from Serbia and Romania.
Held under the slogan “Together Against Wildfires”, the event was part of the 15th anniversary of Interreg Cooperation Day, an initiative highlighting the significance of cooperation across European borders and bringing the results of Interreg programmes closer to citizens.
The event included opening addresses by representatives of Serbian and Romanian institutions, followed by an information session on emergency response procedures. The following speakers addressed the participants: Robert Fejstamer, President of the Municipality of Kanjiža; Vasilija Stanić, representative of the Ministry of European Integration of the Republic of Serbia; Oana Cristea, Head of the Managing Authority at the Romanian Ministry of Development, Public Works and Administration; Nuria Aldao, representative of the European Commission, Directorate-General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood; Anca Lolescu, Executive Director of BRCT Timișoara; Gabor Gabor, representative of the PREVENT project; Alexandra Rus, representative of the Municipality of Săcălaz, the Romanian project partner; and Vladimir Markov and Dejan Mijatov, representatives of the FiT project from Novi Kneževac.
Representatives of Romanian–Serbian projects presented their projects and their contribution to cross-border cooperation in the field of emergency preparedness.
The practical part of the event took place in the schoolyard of the primary school in Orom, where the Orom Voluntary Fire Brigade conducted interactive demonstrations of equipment for citizens. Participants had the opportunity to learn more about emergency response and see firefighting equipment in action.
Serbian project partners also presented projects and equipment supported through the Interreg IPA Romania–Serbia Programme, including representatives of the Municipality of Novi Kneževac, the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Serbia, the Pančevo Voluntary Fire Brigade and the public enterprise “Vojvodinašume”. Vehicles and equipment were displayed in the open area next to the schoolyard.
The event provided an opportunity for firefighters, representatives of public institutions, project partners and citizens to exchange experiences and discuss the importance of preparedness, prevention and an effective response to emergencies.
The 2026 edition of Interreg Cooperation Day marks 15 years of European cooperation and of connecting people and communities across borders.
The event in Orom was organised within the framework of the Interreg IPA Romania–Serbia Programme, with the support of the National Authority of the Interreg IPA Romania–Serbia Programme at the Ministry of European Integration of the Republic of Serbia, the Orom Voluntary Fire Brigade, “Arany János” Primary School in Orom, the Municipality of Kanjiža and the Programme partners.
The Interreg IPA Romania–Serbia Programme is co-financed by the European Union and supports cooperation between Romania and Serbia in the border area. Through cooperation projects and activities, the Programme supports partners from Romania and Serbia in addressing common challenges, strengthening local capacities and developing solutions that contribute to communities on both sides of the border.
