Interregional cooperation
EU-wide cooperation programmes are funded by the Interreg VC strand for the 2014-2020 period.
5,59% of the ERDF allocated to the CTE objective is devoted to interregional cooperation, i.e. a sum of €500,000,000. Of this allocation, €500,000 is earmarked for cooperation involving the outermost regions.
According to the regulation on the European Territorial Cooperation (ETC) objective, interregional cooperation must aim to “reinforce the effectiveness of cohesion policy by encouraging exchanges of experience between regions on thematic objectives and urban development (…)”. 4 themes were identified for which 4 programmes were drawn up:
- Exchange of experience based on thematic objectives between partners throughout the European Union : Interreg Europe
- Exchange of experience on good practices in sustainable urban development, including urban-rural linkages : URBACT
- Exchange of experience on good practices and innovative approaches to the implementation of cooperation programmes and actions, as well as the use of EGTCs: INTERACT
- Analyses of development trends in relation to the objectives of territorial cohesion and harmonious development of the territory of the European Union through studies, data collection and other measures: ESPON
Interregional cooperation operations must involve beneficiaries from at least three countries, including at least two Member States. An EGTC may be the sole beneficiary if it has been established by bodies of at least three Member States of the European Union.
