Koper Hosted the First Bazaar of Europe’s Success Stories
On this year’s Europe Day, Saturday, 9 May 2026, the Taverna in Koper came alive with Europe’s successful stories. The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development, in cooperation with the Europe Direct Point Koper–Capodistria, organised the first-ever Bazaar of Europe’s Success Stories, a presentation event showcasing EU co-financed projects.
Between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., 34 projects were presented across 16 stands, allowing visitors to explore the diverse impact of EU funding in Slovenia. The event offered direct contact with project teams and insight into concrete results made possible through EU funding in local communities.
Projects from a wide range of fields were presented, including tourism, culture and creativity, health, entrepreneurship, education, employment, sustainability and safety. Special attention was drawn to the interactive activities, where visitors participated in quizzes, tested various experiences, explored professions through modern technologies and discovered innovative approaches to knowledge transfer and community development.
The Bazaar brought together projects from various European programmes and funds in one place, including cohesion policy programmes, Interreg programmes, the Common Agricultural Policy, the Fisheries Fund and the Recovery and Resilience Plan. In doing so, the event further highlighted the interconnectedness and complementarity of European funding in the development of Slovenian regions and communities.
Visitors learned first-hand how EU funding improves the quality of life, supports new opportunities and sustainable development of local communities.
Following the successful first edition, the organisers announced that the Bazaar of Europe’s Success Stories will become a traditional event, moving each year to a different location across Slovenia.
Presented projects:
Activities, games, and interactive experiences
Team-building activities for knowledge transfer Take on an experiential challenge and discover innovative approaches to intergenerational knowledge transfer and collaboration.
Career Square – Career Centre for Young People+ Explore careers with VR headsets and discover the world of work in a modern, interactive way.
Pum-o+ Project-Based Learning for Young Adults Take the EU quiz, play the Guess the Country game, and spin the wheel of learning challenges.
VšečKAM and GREM Youth Career Centre + Spin the career wheel of fortune and get advice for your career path.
Youth Work Against Youth Precariousness Participate in the interactive game “Worker, Protect Yourself!” and learn about your rights at work.
Bike Escape – The Bat’s Trail Discover this innovative cycling treasure hunt and how it was designed.
CROSSDEST – a tourism product Sample local delicacies from a picnic basket and learn about the integration of tourism and local offerings.
Health, Well-being, and Quality of Life
Let’s Stop Chronic Kidney Disease Review your dietary habits and physical fitness, and learn relaxation techniques.
A healthy and vibrant life: how to manage age-related frailty Learn approaches to maintaining health and vitality in old age.
Community, Inclusion, and Society
Together, we create solutions Take part in quizzes and interactive activities to learn how public policies are developed.
Opening Doors to Equal Opportunities – Centre for Deinstitutionalisation Discover the meaning of community life through the symbolism of open doors.
SOCIAL ACTIVATION+, TOWARD NEW CHALLENGES Learn about social inclusion projects and the resulting products, from picture books to herbal products.
LJUBLJANA SA+, For Roma Women Through games and mini-golf, learn about social activation programs and work with the Roma community.
Association of Pensioners’ Societies of the Municipality of Koper – VGC Morje Try out brain games and discover activities for active aging.
Changing the World for the Better with Horses, Nature, and Art Discover innovative approaches to working with people through nature, art, and experiential methods.
Knowledge, Education, and Opportunities
Raising Awareness of Lifelong Learning – Lahko.si Try out brain teasers and learn about lifelong learning initiatives.
Promoting Lifelong Learning Explore digital content and opportunities to engage in education.
School in Culture Learn about cultural and arts education programs and their impact.
National Platform – Centre for Creativity Discover Made in Slovenia products and opportunities for creators.
Safety, Resilience, and Public Services
Building capacity to respond to wildfires Check out firefighting equipment and a drone, and participate in themed activities.
Training programmes for incarcerated individuals Discover the products and stories created through the training programmes.
Developing the competencies of incarcerated individuals Discover how projects strengthen the skills and opportunities of incarcerated individuals.
Strengthening the competencies of prison system staff Presentation of activities for staff development and system improvement.
Comprehensive Approach to Addiction in the Prison System Learn about approaches to treating addiction and supporting individuals.
Maritime Police Learn about the maritime police profession and tour the police boats.
Nature, the Countryside, and Sustainability
LAG ZelenaIstra – Revitalising the Countryside Discover hiking and biking trails and learn about sustainable rural development.
KRAS-CARSO II Try the interactive game and discover the unique features of the Karst.
KAŠTellieri Learn about prehistoric heritage and watch a weaving demonstration.
ZeleNatura Explore nature conservation topics through photos and videos.
Terra Gothica Incognita Discover cultural heritage through digital presentations.
Culture, Heritage, and Tourism
Castle Road 2.0 – Cross-Border Castle Route Discover historical stories, cultural experiences, and family activities.
Walk of Peace / Path of Peace Learn about the heritage of the Isonzo Front through interactive content.
Preserving the Heritage of Traditional Boats View boat models and learn about their construction.
BLUECRAB – Blue Crab Management Learn about the characteristics of this invasive species and see the equipment used to catch it.
