Representatives of institutions from Italy, Albania, and Montenegro gathered in Herceg Novi on May 12 and 13, 2026, for the 8th meeting of the Monitoring Committee of the Interreg IPA South Adriatic Programme 2021–2027, to review the progress of programme implementation, the status of project execution, and upcoming activities within the framework of cooperation among the countries of the programme area.
In addition to representatives of the national delegations, the meeting was also attended by representatives of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO), the Managing Authority, and the Joint Secretariat of the Programme.
During the meeting, the latest information on programme implementation was presented, with progress noted in both project implementation and the programme’s financial execution. A particular focus of the meeting was placed on strategic projects being implemented within the programme area, including projects in the fields of culture, climate resilience, and infrastructure connectivity.
On the second day of the event, a visit was organized to the Španjola Fortress, whose revitalization is being carried out by the Ministry of Culture and Media within the SA CREATIVITY project. Following the restoration, the fortress will include facilities intended for culture, art, youth, and creative activities, in line with the historical and cultural significance of the site. A visit was also organized to the House of Nobel Prize winner Ivo Andrić, which is part of the Co.Co.Tour project, through which the Municipality of Herceg Novi, with EU support, developed an important cultural center and an example of the successful valorization of cultural heritage.