"Concrete ideas emerged directly from the short conversations – we're now planning a joint student project across the border." This is how one participant summed up the value of the first Education Speed Dating event held as part of the "Bildungsnetzwerk Euregio Inntal".
On April 21, 2026, more than 30 education stakeholders from Bavaria and Tyrol gathered at the Kufstein Chamber of Commerce – including secondary schools, universities, and continuing education providers focused on students aged 14 and older. The event aimed to systematically initiate cross-border cooperation in the education sector using a new, structured format.
At the heart of the event was the Education Speed Dating: Participants were able to indicate their topics, interests, and cooperation goals in advance – such as career orientation and the school-to-work transition, STEM programs, digitalization and IT, or student projects. Based on this input, individual meeting schedules were created, guiding participants through four moderated conversation rounds. This resulted in targeted one-on-one discussions with potential partners – efficient, practical, and with concrete added value.
"The structure really helped us get to the point quickly and identify common ground," was a sentiment expressed repeatedly among participants.
Additional inspiration came from a practical presentation by Thomas Gerl, who showcased his successful project BISA 100. The focus was on promoting species knowledge among students and the collaboration between the two secondary schools in Prien and Kufstein. His insights demonstrated how sustainable projects can emerge with support from the Euregio Inntal – and provided inspiration for participants' own cross-border initiatives.
The Education Speed Dating is part of the Euregio-funded project "Bildungsnetzwerk Euregio Inntal," which aims to strengthen networking within the education landscape of the border region and foster joint initiatives over the long term. The project is supported by a cross-border partner network consisting of the Bildungsmanagement Landkreis Traunstein, the Bildungsregion Stadt und Landkreis Rosenheim, Innovationsraum Kufstein, and the International School Kufstein Tirol.
"The Bildungsnetzwerk Euregio Inntal demonstrates how valuable cross-border cooperation in education can be. Formats like the Education Speed Dating in Kufstein show how dynamic and future-oriented our region thinks," summarized Walter Weiskopf, Managing Director of the International School Kufstein Tirol.
Pictures: ©Innovationsraum Kufstein
