The Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs, Maria Tripodi, participated via video link in the opening event presenting the 2026 Call for Proposals for the Know-How Exchange Program (KEP), a capacity-building initiative funded by Italy for the Central European Initiative’s member countries applying for EU membership (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Moldova, and Ukraine).
Undersecretary Tripodi emphasized the importance Italy attaches to the Central European Initiative on the thirtieth anniversary of the CEI Executive Secretariat, celebrated in Trieste on March 17 in the presence of Minister Tajani. “Italy is fully committed to promoting – also through the CEI – regional cooperation and European integration, in the belief that these are two mutually reinforcing dimensions,” Tripodi stated.
Established in 2004 with the aim of supporting economic development, European integration, and the adoption of EU standards in CEI member countries, the programme – whose call for proposals is open until September 11 – has a budget of €550,000 to fund projects worth up to €40,000 for the transfer of knowledge and best practices. The KEP provides collaboration opportunities in strategic sectors such as economic reform, infrastructure, transportation, agriculture, digital transformation, energy, and environmental sustainability. Approximately 50 Italian entities, including government administrations and agencies, research institutions, universities, polytechnics, and foundations, participated in the event.
