From June 15–18, 2026, Pezinok hosted a student exchange program with participants from the Austrian partner region of Rosalia-Kogelberg, carried out within the Interreg Slovakia – Austria program and the CoDeMoRe project (Common Development of the Model Regions). The activity aimed to promote cross-border discovery of the model regions and to raise young people’s awareness of shared natural, cultural, and historical values.

The program introduced participants to the Malé Karpaty region through visits to significant sites in the town of Pezinok and its surroundings. The students toured the Pezinok Town Museum and Šimák Castle, where they learned about the history of the town and the region. At the Museum of Malé Karpaty, they took part in a creative workshop.

Right at the newly established educational nature trail near the Perecký House and its surroundings, they discovered the natural values of the area and the concrete outcomes of the CoDeMoRe project. The program also included a visit to the Future Nature and Mining Museum, focused on the geological and mining heritage of the Pezinok area.

The insight into local traditions was complemented by a meeting with a beekeeper in Vinosady, focused on the importance of beekeeping and the role of pollinators in the landscape.

The program was designed as a combination of discovery-based, educational, and experiential activities, allowing the young participants to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the natural, cultural, and historical values of Pezinok and the Malé Karpaty region.

We are pleased that the children are taking away from this experience not only new knowledge about our region, but also many positive memories and experiences that will contribute to a better understanding of the neighboring region and its values.