Interreg

Working on an innovative project with a partner from a neighbouring country? Or looking to collaborate across the wider European region? Then the Interreg programme may be of interest. No fewer than 96 programmes aim to reduce the economic differences between regions and member states — in areas such as innovation, research, renewable energy, climate and transport.

Interreg is a set of interregional funding programmes aimed at making Europe stronger and reducing economic differences between regions and member states by supporting collaborative projects.

The funding rate for Dutch applicants is up to 80% (depending on organisation type and size), with an average subsidy of €1 to 2 million per project. For private non-profit organisations it is up to 70% of the project costs.

Interreg programmes are part of the European Regional Development Fund (EFRO). There are 4 different Interreg programmes. They focus on:

Cooperation in the border regions (Interreg A)

• Flanders–Netherlands;
• Germany–Netherlands;
• Euregio Meuse-Rhine.

Cooperation between regions in different countries (Interreg B)

• North West Europe (NWE);
• North Sea,

Interreg NWE is intended for parties from 7 countries (besides the Netherlands these are Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, and non-EU country Switzerland).

North Sea Region focuses on cooperation between parties from the countries around the North Sea: besides the Netherlands, these are France (northern regions), Belgium (all of Flanders), Germany (north-western parts), Denmark (whole country), Sweden (south-western regions) and Norway (southern regions).

Interregional and Europe-wide cooperation (Interreg C)

• Interreg Europe;
• URBACT;
• Espon

Interreg Europe supports interregional cooperation across Europe and focuses on regional development, mainly through the Structural Funds programmes.

cooperation with and between European territories outside the European continent (Interreg D).

It is important to consult the specific calls for proposals and the programme documentation for detailed information. Our experts can help you with that, thanks to years of experience with this scheme.

Is your organisation working internationally on research, technological development and innovation? Then Horizon Europe may be able to offer your company (financial) support — and our experts can help you with this scheme too.

Projects generally have to meet the following criteria:

• They must align with the specific objectives and priorities of the relevant Interreg programme;
• They must involve partners from different countries or regions;
• They must have clear European added value and contribute to the EU’s economic, social and territorial cohesion;
• They must be sustainable and aimed at long-term results.

Examples of eligible projects include: improving the ecological sustainability of a cross-border body of water, developing joint tourism initiatives, setting up cross-border healthcare services, or fostering innovation and research through joint efforts by universities and research institutes in different countries.

The conditions for qualifying for Interreg funding can vary depending on the specific objectives and criteria of each individual programme or call for proposals.

Here are some general conditions that often apply to Interreg programmes:

• Co-financing: Interreg projects require co-financing, meaning the project partners have to bear part of the project costs themselves. EU funding does not cover the full costs;
• Sustainability and transferability: projects must be sustainable and able to retain their results and benefits after the funding ends. Results are also often expected to be transferable to other regions or contexts;
• Measurable results: projects must deliver concrete, measurable results that contribute to the programme’s objectives;
• Legal status: participating organisations must have a legal status that allows them to enter into contractual obligations and receive EU funding;
• Administrative capacity: organisations must have the administrative and financial capacity to manage the grant money and carry out the project activities;
• Transparency and publicity: projects must meet the EU requirements for transparency and publicity, meaning that EU support has to be made visible;

Compliance with EU law: projects must comply with EU legislation, including rules on procurement, the environment, equality and non-discrimination.

Interreg deadlines vary per strand and programme. Our consultants can advise you on the options.

Applying for European funding is no simple task. A great deal is involved: the conditions are strict, you have to supply a lot of project and legal information, and you work with one or more international partners. Against all that effort stand substantial contributions — which is what makes European funding attractive to authorities and companies, enabling large projects and international breakthroughs. We help by providing one or more advisers with specific experience in European funding.

Thanks to our 25 years of experience, we can optimise your funding process and take it almost entirely off your hands.

What kind of activities might that involve?

• Assessing whether your project fits within an Interreg funding programme;
• Setting up and legally establishing the international project consortium;
• Preparing and submitting the Interreg application;
• Collecting annexes and signing the collaboration agreement
• Drawing up the budget
• Submitting the application
• Setting up the project administration in line with the latest European legislation;
• Handling the interim financial reporting;
• Producing the final report.