INTERREGIONAL MEETING OF THE CARPATHIAN CIVIL SOCIETY PLATFORM IN EGER (HUNGARY)

From February 25 to 27, 2026, in Eger (Hungary), the Szent István Hotel hosted a landmark interregional meeting entitled “Challenging Times: The Role of Civil Society”. During the three-day event, representatives of civil society organizations and local authorities from the Carpathian region — Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Ukraine — shared experiences and jointly sought ways to strengthen community resilience in the face of contemporary global challenges. Our organization’s administrative assistant, Olga Shchur, took part in the meeting, representing the civil society organization “YOUTH. SCIENCE. SPORTS. HEALTHY MOVEMENT OF UKRAINE” and sharing practical experience of working in today’s conditions.

The central event of the program was the international panel discussion “When Local Authorities and Civil Society Collaborate”, where participants discussed best practices in civil-municipal partnerships and future prospects for regional cooperation.

The presence of Ukrainian civil society organizations was of particular significance. Despite the conditions of war, reports from Ukrainian delegates highlighted the critical role of the civil sector in supporting the most vulnerable segments of the population and ensuring the viability of fragile communities. The meeting not only served as a platform for knowledge exchange but also helped lay the foundation for concrete cross-border cooperation that will contribute to the long-term well-being of the entire Carpathian region. Special attention was given to the mission of the Carpathian Civil Society Platform and the Interregional Network of Civic Innovations as territorial associations based on shared history, culture, and geographical proximity.

Also, as part of the meeting, a specialized cross-border “World Café” workshop was held, where participants analyzed the Platform’s operations in detail. During the discussion, key motivations, expectations, and resources of the partners were identified, and priority goals were defined: identifying the real needs of communities, developing new partnerships, and exchanging experience in project management and crisis response. Participants expressed hope that the Platform, with the support of the Carpathian Foundation, will provide a space for inspiration, European partnership, and operational stability, focusing on topics such as mental health, youth policy, education, and social innovation.

This meeting marked an important step in strengthening civil society in the Carpathian region through the creation of a shared innovation space and the exchange of valuable resources. Despite concerns expressed about resource depletion and emotional strain under current conditions, participants reaffirmed their readiness for active collaboration.

Thank you to all partners for your productive work, sincerity, and unbreakable team spirit, which inspires us to new achievements for the development of our communities!