On 28 and 29 January 2021, the 5th Forum of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR) was jointly held by the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the European Commission. The focus of the 2021 edition was “Strengthening the resilience of the Adriatic and Ionian Region through cooperation”.

The online forum enabled participants to take part in an interactive experience through networking breaks and a virtual exhibition. Initiatives and projects had the possibility to host virtual exhibition stands and interact with participants via live chat and videocalls as well as sharing content and links with the audience. The Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe Programme participated by hosting a virtual stand and took the opportunity to display communication materials and information on the outcomes of the Routes4U Project, a joint programme between the Council of Europe and the European Union, focussing on the development of Cultural Routes in four European macro regions.

Throughout the two days of the forum, plenary and thematic sessions were held on the digital and green transition, regional responses to the COVID-19 crisis, macro-regional cooperation in relation to EU post-2020, the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans, as well as the recovery of the cultural and creative industries in the region.

Videos of the forum are available on the EUSAIR website.