Timișoara Study Visit: Learning, Networking, and EU Success Stories
Participants of the 11th and 12th cycles of the Specialist Program ‘Regional Development Management through EU Funds’ visited Timișoara for a study trip showcasing best practices from European projects and funding initiatives.
The visit aimed to provide participants with insight into Romania’s experience as an EU member since 2007 and a firsthand understanding of how European funds support local community development. The study trip plays a key role in their training, allowing them to see the practical impact of EU funding through real-life examples.
During their stay in Timișoara, participants explored several EU-funded projects, including the Opera Hotel, the E-Arhive system – a modern digital platform for document management – and Buziaș Park, one of the largest and oldest dendrological parks in the Banat region, completely renovated through the Regional Operational Development Program.
The study visit also included meetings with key institutions and organizations, such as Politehnica University of Timișoara, Institute for Renewable Energy Research (ICER), the Romanian Association of Consulting Companies (AMCOR), Regional Development Agency ADR West, and Timișoara Regional Cross-Border Cooperation Office (BRCT).
A key part of the program highlighted the work of the Fund for European Affairs and Development of the AP of Vojvodina, along with its ongoing EU projects, including RETFOR, SAGITTA, MICROPLASTICS, and AVIATOR, which also involve two partner institutions from Romania.
The study visit concluded with a visit to TOTAL Recycling SRL, which, with support from European funds, has carried out major recycling projects that modernize production processes, boost competitiveness, and advance environmental sustainability.
Ognjen Dopuđ, Director of Fund for European Affairs and Development of the AP of Vojvodina, thanked the organizers for their excellent arrangements and hospitality during the study visit. He highlighted that such meetings offer valuable opportunities for sharing experiences, networking, and gaining practical knowledge, all of which contribute to regional development and more effective use of European funds.
