On 19 June 2024, the István Pálfi Regional Development Foundation held the Pálfi István Scholarship Holders’ Professional Day at the Falk1 Event Centre in Budapest. In line with the tradition of the annual meeting, this year the scholarship holders presented their research topics.

The participants were welcomed by the Rector of Edutus University, Dr.  Andrea Némethné Gál. The first professional presentation was given by Dr. Balázs Loppert, Head of Unit of the Border Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, who described the role of the Ministry in cross-border development and the support of the Hungarian ETT network. The second professional presentation was given by Mátyás Jaschitz, Director of CESCI, giving the participants an insight into the possibilities of achieving the elimination of legal cross-border obstacles through the example of the #ACCESS project.

The professional introduction was followed by short presentations by the active fellows.

Márton Farkas explored the relationship between tourism supply and the border through an example from Bodrog. Norbert Gergely compared the different management methods of tourism destinations in Szeklerland. Bettina Helga Gyergyai compared individual and integrated local development efforts in Covasna County. Valentina Pataki looked at local marketing in the city of Novi Sad. Bence Tarnóczi conducted a theoretical experiment comparing the economic structure of Debrecen and Oradea and the potential economy-developer effects of EGTCs.

The event ended with an informal professional discussion.