Last week, the E6 Project team joined forces with programme stakeholders at the Interreg (NWE) Annual Event in Dublin, Ireland. This two-day gathering at Croke Park brought together projects from across North West Europe.
The event kicked off with inspiring introductions by David Kelly, Director of the Southern Regional Assembly, and David Grzegorzewski, Programme Director for Interreg NWE. Their insights set an optimistic tone for discussions, with a focus on building a sustainable future for North-West Europe. Stakeholders explored various projects, engaged in ideation sessions, and shared their visions for the future of Interreg’s impact across the region.
A highlight for the E6 Project was the opportunity to showcase its objectives and progress to fellow Interreg programme participants. Frank Stiksma from the Saxion University of Applied Sciences gave the presentation featuring the transition to a circular and resource efficient economy. By facilitating Re-use, Repair, and Refurbishment (RRR) practices that we go from a ‘buy-first’ to a ‘repair-first’ mindset - a core focus of the project.
According to E6 Project Manager Rianne Driessen - “Meeting other projects gives a lot of energy and an opportunity to compare: compare project management approach, ideas for the future and implementation of the projects. There are a lot of new ideas for future projects, which are strong investments for Europe. For the project E6 we gained critical input, and more inspiration on how to proceed and improve on lifetime extension for electrical and electronic equipment.”
Day two continued with thought-provoking presentations, including insights on Cohesion Policy from John Bachtler, Director of the European Policies Research Centre at the University of Strathclyde. Leaders from the Interreg North Sea Programme, Interreg Europe, and the Interreg Atlantic Area Programmes shared key findings from recent consultations, which spurred further discussions on future improvements and strategic adjustments.
The E6 Project team left the event energized, equipped with new ideas, and ready to forge impactful partnerships across North-West Europe. This gathering underscored the importance of collaborative efforts in advancing sustainable innovation and building a resilient future for the region.