On September 21, in the framework of the European Cooperation Day, the Crossborder Cooperation Programme Italy-Slovenia 2007-2013, the Interreg VI Italy-Austria 2007-2013 Programme and the Operational Programme Slovenia-Austria 2007-2013 organized a joint hiking to the Triple border area among Italy, Slovenia and Austria (called Peč or Tromeja in Slovene, Monte Forno in Italian and Dreiländereck or Ofen in German).
The majority of participants started the hke in Rateče, Slovenia, while other participants reached the peak from the Austrian side.
In Rateče, after the registration and the delivery of promotional material, the organizators briefly welcomed the participants and introduced the ECDAY. Then followed the presentation of the project NH-WF – Natural hazards without borders - funded on the Operational Programme Slovenia-Austria 2007-2013.
After the presentation, the hike began trough the center of Rateče into the wooded trail to the 1509m mountain peak, where the borders meet. During the ascent were presented the project JULIUS – Exploitation and enhancement of cultural heritage and joint use of sports facilities in the border of the Julian Alps to the Adriatic - and project CAAR - Alpe Adria cycle route (fundend on the Interreg VI Italy-Austria 2007-2013 Programme).
On the mountain peak the three Managing Authorities - in their national language - waved all the participants and emphasized the importance of cross-border cooperation and the additional value of such events for exchanging experiences and knowledge among Programmes and projects.
After the cerimony the hikers reached the Austrian hut. The official part of the event ended with the concert of 4 young musicians from the project ECHOS - Cross-border echos and the presentation of project CLIMAPARKS - Monitoring and study the effects of climate changes, project MICOTRA - Improvement of the public transport (Italy-Austria 2007-2013) and GOAL - Help without borders (Slovenia-Austria 2007-2013).
Returning to Rateče the participants expressed their happiness for the event and their wish to participate in other similar initiatives.
