Empowering European Democracy. Civic education, cross-border cooperation and multi-level governance
In recent years, European integration has continued to evolve, creating both new opportunities and new challenges for democracy. As institutions grow more complex and interconnected, it becomes increasingly important to ensure that citizens remain at the heart of decision-making. Strengthening democracy in Europe today means promoting civic participation, supporting active citizenship, and encouraging cooperation that goes beyond national borders. Concepts such as multi-level governance and subsidiarity, together with cross-border initiatives, can help bring institutions closer to people and make democracy more tangible in everyday life.
The event “Empowering European Democracy. Civic education, cross-border cooperation and multi-level governance” will take place on 6–7 November at the Salone d’Onore Carlo X – Grand Hotel Entourage. It will gather partners from Italy, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, and Serbia to explore how sub-state authorities, the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), and European Groupings of Territorial Cooperation (EGTCs) can foster civic participation and cohesion between cross-border regions and cities. Through six sessions of seminars and conferences with contributions from academics and institutional representatives, the event will highlight initiatives such as Nova Gorica and Gorizia – European Capitals of Culture 2025 and cooperation networks like Euregio, GO, and Euregio Senza Confini. The proceedings will be published internationally, offering a lasting contribution to the study and practice of European democracy.
Program
06 November — Day 1
Welcome Speeches
- Claudio Cressati, President of the European Academy of Friuli Venezia Giulia
- Antonello Nasone, Coppieters Foundation, Brussels
- Sarah Filisetti, Councilor of the Municipality of Gorizia
- Samo Turel, Major of Nova Gorica
- Mija Lorbek, Director of the Javni zavod GO! 2025
Session I — Territorial and cross-border cooperation driving EU integration
Chair: Giangiacomo Vale
Speakers:
- Barbara Zilli, Councilor for Finance, Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia – The Future Prospects of European Cohesion Policy and the Role of the Regions
- Paolo Petiziol, President of EGTC GO – Cross-Border Cohesion: Aspirations and Realities
- Elisa Bertò, Secretary-General of EGTC Euregio Tyrol-South Tyrol-Trentino – Building Europe Every Day: The Euregio as a Space for Cross-Border Civic Engagement
- Sandra Sodini, Director of EGTC Euregio Senza Confini – The EGTC as a Tool to Strengthen the Internal Market: Multilevel Governance in Addressing Cross-Border Obstacles
- Laura Comelli, Managing Authority INTERREG Italy-Slovenia – INTERREG Cross-Border Cooperation as a Tool for European Cohesion
Coffee Break
Session II — Fostering European Democracy and Civic Engagement
Chair: Gabriele de Anna
Speakers:
- Elisabeth Alber, Eurac Research, Bolzano – Democratic Innovations and Cross-Border Cooperation
- Laura Montanari, University of Udine – Is European Citizenship Still a Driving Force for European Democracy?
- Giuliana Parotto, University of Trieste – The Roots of Post-national Europe
- Kaja Sirok, University of Nova Gorica – EPIC District: Engaging Communities through Culture and Memory
Lunch Break
Session III — Borders, Memory, and Cross-Border Reconciliation
Chair: Antonello Nasone
Speakers:
- Katja Virloget, University of Primorska, Koper – Cross-Border Reconciliation. Listening and Hearing Each Other on the Slovenian-Italian Border
- Janine Schemmer, University of Vienna – Capacities of Mixing. A Microhistorical and Transregional Study of the Area Between the Alps and the Adriatic
- Giustina Selvelli, University of Ljubljana – Subverting the Border: Rebel Voices and Practices of Resistance in the Third Space of the Gorizia/Nova Gorica Frontier
- Cornelia Stefan, University of Klagenfurt – Universities as Laboratories of Democracy: The Challenges of Cross-Border Studies
Coffee Break
Session IV — Historical Perspectives on Governance and Autonomy
Chair: Claudio Cressati
Speakers:
- Diego Abenante, University of Trieste – Between Unity and Diversity: Indian Federalism in Historical and Comparative Perspective
- Samir Aličić, Institute of Comparative Law, Belgrade – Corporatism and Parliamentary Structure in the Countries of the Former Yugoslavia: A Historical Overview
- Miriam Davide, University of Trieste – The Municipal Autonomy of Trieste Before and After its Submission to Austria
- Ivan Jeličić, University of Rijeka – Habsburg Fiume’s Autonomy: A Local Self-Government Between Democratic Limits and Municipal Development
07 November — Day 2
Session V — Building Connections for a Participatory Europe
Chair: Renata Kodilja
Speakers:
- Monica Pascoli, University of Udine — European Capitals of Culture: Exploring Impacts and Challenges
- Jelena Kostić, Institute of Comparative Law, Belgrade — Knowledge Exchange and the Promotion of Common Values through International Scientific Cooperation Initiatives
- Valentina Ranaldi, Niccolò Cusano University, Rome — BRIDGEforEU (Reg. EU 2025/925). A New Tool for Cross-Border Cooperation
- Moreno Zago, University of Trieste — Towards a More Participatory Europe: Young People in Territorial Cooperation Programmes
Coffee Break
Session VI — European Memory, Identity, and Intellectual Debate
Chair: Georg Meyr
Speakers:
- Antonella Pocecco, University of Udine — The Memories of Europe: Risks, Paradoxes and Oblivion
- Gabriele De Anna, University of Udine — Urban Citizenship: The Political Meaning of the European Town
- Antonello Nasone, University of Sassari — The Decline of Europe and the Role of the Intellectuals
- Marco Stolfo, University of Udine — Alpe Adria: Ideas and Projects in Economy, Cooperation, Self-Government and Minority Protection
Conclusions
Official closing remarks and summary of the event.
Practicalities:
Dates:
06 November 2025, 09:30 – 07 November 2025, 13:00
Venue:
Salone d’Onore Carlo X – Grand Hotel Entourage, Piazza S. Antonio, 2, 34170 Gorizia, Italy.
Accessibility:
The venue is wheelchair accessible
Contact:
Media inquiries can be adressed to info@ideasforeurope.eu
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This event is a joint initiative between Accademia Europeista del Friuli Venezia Giulia and Coppieters Foundation.
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Scientific and steering Committee:
Claudio Cressati, Gabriele De Anna, Antonello Nasone, Valentina Ranaldi, Cornelia Stefan, Giangiacomo Vale.
The project is implemented jointly by Accademia Europeista del Friuli Venezia Giulia and the Coppieters Foundation.
Participating Institutions:
University of Udine (IT)
University of Trieste (IT)
University of Sassari (IT)
University Niccolò Cusano, Rome (IT)
University of Klagenfurt (AUT)
- University of Vienna (AUT)
University of Ljubljana (SLO)
University of Nova Gorica (SLO)
University of Primorska (SLO)
University of Rijeka (HR)
Institute of Comparative Law of Belgrade (SRB)
- INTERREG Italy-Slovenia (ITA-SLO)
EGTC GO – Gorizia, Nova Gorica, Šempeter-Vrtojba (ITA-SLO)
EGCTC Euregio Senza Confini – Kärnten, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Veneto (ITA-AT)
EGTC Euregio – Tirol, Südtirol, Trentino (ITA-AT)
Eurac Research Bolzano (ITA)
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This event is financially supported by the European Parliament. The European Parliament is not liable for the content of the event nor for the opinions of the speakers.
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Photo by Connie de Vries on Unsplash
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