Forum AIC

03/09/2026

🌍 Forum AIC at the Eurochambres Affiliated and Correspondent Members Meeting in İstanbul

The future of European cooperation is shaped not only within the EU, but also through strong connections with its wider neighbourhood.

Forum AIC President Jože Tomaš and Vice-President Pavle Radovanovic took part in the Eurochambres Affiliated and Correspondent Members Meeting, hosted in İstanbul by TOBB – Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye. The meeting brought together chambers and business organisations from across Europe and its neighbouring regions.

The discussions focused on key developments affecting businesses and regional cooperation, including:
🔷 EU enlargement and the evolving European economic landscape
🔷 The war in Ukraine and its impact on trade, connectivity and security
🔷 The growing strategic importance of the Black Sea region
🔷 Stronger cooperation among chambers across Europe and its neighbourhood

During the meeting, President Tomaš presented Forum AIC, its mission and activities, highlighting its role in fostering cooperation among chambers and business communities and strengthening dialogue across the Adriatic-Ionian region and wider Europe. He also highlighted his active involvement in the Eurochambres Chief Economists Group, contributing to discussions on key economic developments and challenges facing European businesses.

The participation of both Forum AIC representatives further underlined the Forum’s commitment to strengthening cooperation among chambers across the region and beyond, fostering dialogue and building stronger connections within the European chamber network.

🤝 Stronger connections between chambers mean stronger opportunities for businesses.

Discover more on our website: https://www.forumaic.org/forum-aic-at-the-eurochambres-affiliated-and-correspondent-members-meeting-in-istanbul/

28/07/2026

🌍 🏛️ Forum AIC all'evento di lancio della Presidenza Italiana EUSAIR: sinergia strategica per lo sviluppo macroregionale

Il Presidente del Forum AIC, Joze Tomas e la Segretaria Generale Eleonora Tramannoni hanno partecipato all'evento di lancio della Presidenza italiana della EU Strategy for the Adriatic - Ionian Region 2026-2027. 🏛️

In una fase in cui l'allargamento dell'Unione Europea ai Balcani occidentali prende nuovo slancio, il Forum AIC si conferma un attore chiave: accompagniamo l'integrazione istituzionale con una solida cooperazione economica sul territorio. 🤝

Lavoriamo in piena sinergia con le priorità della Presidenza italiana, trasformando le politiche europee in azioni concrete per le nostre comunità: 🇪🇺 Integrazione e capacità amministrativa: promuoviamo gli acquisti pubblici verdi con progetti strategici come GPP2ADRION. 🚢 Connettività e dati: monitoriamo le dinamiche regionali e i trasporti attraverso il nostro Osservatorio DO-AIR. 🌱 Coesione e turismo sostenibile: valorizziamo il nostro patrimonio comune, supportando iniziative flagship come la Dieta Mediterranea. 💼 Reti di PMI e catene del valore: rafforziamo la competitività e l'aggiornamento delle competenze delle nostre imprese.

Siamo orgogliosi di essere al fianco delle istituzioni europee e nazionali: vogliamo che le priorità della Macroregione si trasformino in risultati misurabili e in crescita per l'intera area Adriatico-Ionica! 🚀



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🌍🏛️ Forum AIC at the launch event of the Italian EUSAIR Presidency: a strategic synergy for macro-regional development

The President of Forum AIC, Joze Tomas and Secretary General Eleonora Tramannoni attended the launch event of the Italian Presidency of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR) 2026-2027. 🏛️

As the EU's enlargement process to the Western Balkans gains renewed momentum, Forum AIC stands as a key player, pairing institutional integration with strong economic cooperation on the ground. 🤝

We are working in full synergy with the strategic priorities of the Italian Presidency, translating European policies into concrete actions for our communities: 🇪🇺 Integration & administrative capacity: promoting green public procurement through strategic projects like GPP2ADRION. 🚢 Connectivity & data: tracking regional dynamics and transport through our DO-AIR Observatory. 🌱 Cohesion & sustainable tourism: promoting our shared heritage, supporting flagship initiatives like the Mediterranean Diet. 💼 SME networks & value chains: boosting competitiveness and skills upgrading for our businesses.

We are proud to stand alongside European and national institutions to ensure that the Macroregion's priorities translate into measurable results and growth for the entire Adriatic-Ionian area! 🚀

28/07/2026

The President of Forum AIC, Joze Tomas, and Vice President Gino Sabatini extend their appreciation to Unioncamere Secretary General Giuseppe Tripoli for highlighting the key role of the chamber system in supporting economic cooperation and integration across the Adriatic-Ionian area during the launch event of the Italian Presidency of EU Strategy for the Adriatic - Ionian Region.

As a recognised partner of the EUSAIR Strategy, Forum AIC continues to support the development of the Adriatic-Ionian area through actions aimed at strengthening SMEs, promoting entrepreneurship and skills development, enhancing connectivity, supporting Green Public Procurement, and fostering sustainable tourism. Through initiatives such as the DO-AIR Data Observatory of the Adriatic and Ionian Region, the Forum also contributes to improving knowledge of regional economic dynamics and identifying new opportunities for cooperation.

In the current phase of renewed enlargement efforts, Forum AIC represents a valuable transnational network connecting EU Member States and Western Balkan countries, supporting a closer integration between institutional processes and economic cooperation.

By promoting collaboration among businesses, knowledge exchange, market connectivity, and the development of common value chains, Forum AIC remains committed to building stronger links between economies and communities across the Adriatic-Ionian region.

L'intervento di Giuseppe Tripoli, segretario generale di Unioncamere, all'evento di lancio della Presidenza Italiana EU Strategy for the Adriatic - Ionian Region, in corso ad Unioncamere: "Il sistema camerale ha creduto fin dall'inizio alla integrazione economica come chiave di sviluppo dell'area Adriatico Ionica. Il Forum che unisce le Camere di commercio dei diversi Paesi dell'area ha portato avanti tante iniziative per sostenere le PMI, l'integrazione dei settori economici, lo sviluppo delle infrastrutture. Unioncamere e il sistema camerale sono a disposizione per collaborare con la presidenza italiana di EUSAIR per dare ulteriore impulso alla cooperazione".

16/07/2026

We are pleased to have coordinated the First Joint Meeting of the GPP2Adrion Transnational Network, bringing together GPP Ambassadors, project partners, stakeholders and future GPP Contact Points from across the Adriatic-Ionian Region.

A sincere thank you to all the speakers and participants for their active engagement, valuable insights and constructive contributions. The ideas shared during the interactive session will help shape the Network's future activities and priorities.

Congratulations to all the GPP2ADRION partners for this important milestone!

26/06/2026

🌊 Strengthening the future of maritime tourism in the Adriatic

📍 Venice, Italy
📅 26 June 2026

Today, Joze Tomaš, President of the Forum of the Adriatic and Ionian Chambers of Commerce (Forum AIC), took part as a speaker at the Adriatic Sea Forum 2026 in Venice, contributing to the panel discussion "The Value of Maritime Tourism for Adriatic Countries."

During the discussion, President Tomaš highlighted that maritime tourism is much more than a tourism sector, it is a strategic economic ecosystem connecting ports, islands, transport, businesses, local communities, and cross-border cooperation across the Adriatic-Ionian region.

Drawing on the experience of Split-Dalmatia County, he underlined that while ferry services remain the backbone of connectivity and cruising enhances international visibility, nautical tourism is currently driving the strongest value growth, creating opportunities across marinas, charter services, maintenance, gastronomy, local producers, and authentic island experiences.

A key message of his intervention was the need to move from measuring traffic to measuring value. Beyond passenger numbers and vessel arrivals, destinations should better understand how tourism benefits local SMEs, supply chains, employment, and communities.

President Tomaš also emphasized the importance of stronger regional cooperation and shared data across the Adriatic-Ionian area. In this context, Forum AIC supports initiatives such as the DO-AIR Observatory, which contribute to building a common data framework to better understand regional trends and support smarter decisions for sustainable growth.

🤝 Building a more competitive, connected, and sustainable Adriatic maritime tourism area together.

23/06/2026

Il Forum AIC partecipa a “Cantiere Europa, le Camere di commercio protagoniste dei progetti europei”, in programma il 22 e 23 giugno 2026 a Pisa, presso la sede pisana della Camera di commercio Toscana Nord Ovest.

Promossa da Unioncamere , in collaborazione con la Camera Commercio Toscana Nord-Ovest e Unioncamere Europa Asbl, l’iniziativa rappresenta un importante momento di approfondimento sulle opportunità di finanziamento europee e sul ruolo del sistema camerale italiano nella progettazione UE.

Due giornate di confronto operativo, condivisione di esperienze e sviluppo di idee progettuali, per rafforzare la capacità del sistema camerale di intercettare le opportunità europee e tradurle in progettualità concrete a beneficio di imprese e territori.

Per il Forum AIC si tratta di un’ulteriore occasione per confermare il proprio impegno nel promuovere cooperazione, networking e dialogo tra Camere di commercio, valorizzando il contributo delle reti transnazionali nei processi di sviluppo europeo.

Un appuntamento che offre uno spazio utile di confronto e aggiornamento, in una prospettiva di collaborazione sempre più integrata tra sistema camerale e progettazione europea.

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The Forum AIC is taking part in “Cantiere Europa, le Camere di commercio protagoniste dei progetti europei”, taking place on 22–23 June 2026 in Pisa at the Pisa headquarters of the North-West Tuscany Chamber of Commerce.

Promoted by Unioncamere, in cooperation with the North-West Tuscany Chamber of Commerce and Unioncamere Europa asbl, the event provides an important opportunity to explore European funding opportunities and the role of the Italian chamber system in EU project development.

Over the course of two days, participants will engage in operational discussions, exchange experiences, and develop project ideas aimed at strengthening the capacity of chambers of commerce to identify European opportunities and transform them into concrete initiatives benefiting businesses and local communities.

For the Forum AIC, this represents another opportunity to reaffirm its commitment to promoting cooperation, networking, and dialogue among Chambers of Commerce, while highlighting the contribution of transnational networks to European development processes.

The event also offers a valuable platform for discussion and knowledge-sharing, fostering increasingly integrated collaboration between the chamber system and European project development.

12/06/2026

🌿 Forum AIC joins the MEDDIET Flagship Initiative Working Group

On 11 June, Forum AIC participated in the online technical session of the MEDDIET Flagship Initiative Working Group within the EU Strategy for the Adriatic - Ionian Region framework, bringing together stakeholders from across the Adriatic-Ionian region to advance this key cross-pillar initiative.

Launched in September 2025, the MEDDIET Flagship aims to turn the Mediterranean Diet into a driver of sustainable economic development, strengthening rural resilience and boosting tourism competitiveness across the region.

The Working Group, structured across Pillars 4 and 5, is currently shaping the 2026–2027 Operational Roadmap. Discussions focused on the Mediterranean Diet as a tool for place-based tourism, its links with food culture, biodiversity and territorial identity, as well as the importance of governance models and short value chains to ensure authenticity and avoid commodification.

Two thematic studies were also presented, addressing sustainable tourism development and skills gaps in the tourism labour market, highlighting the need to better align education and training with evolving market needs in support of greener, more digital and experience-based tourism.

The session further explored EU policy developments on the post-2027 programming framework, with emphasis on results-based funding, place-based approaches, and stronger integration across EU programmes.

Forum AIC’s participation builds on the commitments of the Joint Declaration of the Three Fora on the Preservation and Promotion of the Mediterranean Diet in the Adriatic-Ionian Region (Split, 14 May 2024) and reinforces its ongoing engagement in promoting sustainable tourism, skills development, and cultural heritage across the Adriatic-Ionian region.

11/06/2026

🌊 Promoting dialogue on the future of maritime tourism in the Adriatic!

📍 Venice, Italy
📅 25–26 June 2026

On 26 June 2026, the President of the Forum of the Adriatic and Ionian Chambers of Commerce (Forum AIC), Joze Tomaš, will participate as a speaker at the Adriatic Sea Forum 2026 in Venice.

During the panel discussion “The Value of Maritime Tourism for Adriatic Countries”, President Tomaš will share his views on the importance of maritime tourism as a key driver of economic development, regional cooperation, and sustainable growth throughout the Adriatic region.

Bringing together institutions, businesses, and industry experts, the Adriatic Sea Forum provides an important platform to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing the maritime tourism sector and to strengthen collaboration among Adriatic stakeholders.

Forum AIC is proud to contribute to this dialogue and to support initiatives that promote stronger connections and a shared vision for the future of the Adriatic.

🤝 Cooperation, sustainability, and innovation remain at the heart of our commitment to the region.

*Please note that the correct title of President Jose Tomas in the graphics below is:
Jose Tomas, President – Croatian Chamber of Economy, Split County Chamber, and Forum AIC.

03/06/2026

Forum AIC is pleased to share this valuable opportunity for young professionals interested in international cooperation, innovation, and economic diplomacy.

This free training programme will equip 40 young talents with the skills needed to strengthen economic relations between Italy and the Western Balkans, combining the legacy of the Olivetti model with the challenges and opportunities of the digital age.

We encourage interested candidates to apply and become part of a new generation of leaders fostering dialogue, sustainable development, and cross-border collaboration.

👉 Applications are now open: https://istao.it/management-dimpresa-diplomazia-economica-e-promozione-integrata-dal-modello-olivetti-alla-sfida-digitale/

di Maggio 25, 202629 Maggio 202634 BANDO DOMANDA DI AMMISSIONE OBIETTIVI L’iniziativa mira alla formazione di una nuova classe dirigente ispirata al modello di Adriano Olivetti e al “Capitalismo Umanistico”. Attraverso un percorso di alta formazione volto a integrare profitto, etica e innovazi...

26/05/2026

📍 Skopje, North Macedonia 🇲🇰

Forum AIC participated in the 4th in-person meeting of the GPP2Adrion project and in the thematic session hosted within the EUSAIR Annual Forum 2026: “Green Public Procurement Driving Circular Economy in the Adriatic–Ionian Region”, held on 19 May.

Over two days of discussion and exchange, project partners, institutional representatives, and regional stakeholders reflected on the progress achieved so far and on the next steps towards strengthening Green Public Procurement practices across the ADRION region.

An important milestone discussed during the meeting was the successful completion of the Capacity-Building Programme, which led to the training of 39 GPP Ambassadors across the Adriatic-Ionian area.

Building on this achievement, Forum AIC is actively supporting the transition towards a new phase focused on transnational cooperation and long-term connectivity through the future Transnational GPP Network, aimed at strengthening collaboration and knowledge exchange among institutions and practitioners across the region.

The thematic session at the EUSAIR Annual Forum also provided an important opportunity to connect project experiences with broader macro-regional priorities related to circular economy, sustainable procurement, and policy implementation.

As a transnational network of Chambers of Commerce within the EUSAIR framework, Forum AIC remains committed to fostering cooperation, promoting sustainable transition, and supporting the dissemination of good practices across the Adriatic-Ionian macro-region.

Find out more on our website: https://www.forumaic.org/forum-aic-partecipa-allincontro-di-progetto-per-gpp2adrion-e-evento-collaterale-delleusair-annual-forum/