Interreg Europe

Interreg Europe helps regional and local governments across Europe to develop and deliver better policy in research and innovation, competitiveness of SMEs, low carbon economy and environment and efficiency. By creating an environment and opportunities for sharing solutions, it aims to ensure that government investment, innovation and implementation efforts all lead to integrated and sustainable impact for people and place.

The UK is still a full member of the EU, and UK applicants are eligible for EU funding until new arrangements are agreed. 

Case study: Producer Services for European Sustainability and Competitiveness (PROSESC)

Automotive cluster programme (PROSESC): this project aimed to support green innovation in the road transport sector. The NCC-owned Hethel Engineering Centre along with nine other partners from seven different EU countries identified good practices and made recommendations to policy makers.

This project received a contribution of €1m from the programme over the €1.3m total budget.

Please note that this project was funded under the previous programme (2007-2013) and that the new programme (2014-2020) has different objectives and expectations.

Interreg Europe

Objectives

The objective of the Interreg Europe programme is to improve the implementation of regional development policies and programmes, in particular programmes in the area of investment for growth and jobs and, where relevant, ETC programmes in different sectors:

1. Research, technological development and innovation

• In the field of research and innovation infrastructure and capacities notably in the framework of Smart Specialisation Strategies
• To support the delivery of innovation by actors in regional innovation chains in areas of 'smart specialisation' and innovation opportunity

2. Competitiveness of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

• To support SMEs in all stages of their life cycle to develop and achieve growth and engage in innovation

3. Low-carbon economy

• To address the transition to a low-carbon economy notably in the framework of Smart Specialisation Strategies

4. Environment and resource efficiency

• In the field of the protection and development of natural and cultural heritage

Match funding

Under the Interreg Europe programme, projects can be co-financed at a rate of:

• 85% for public bodies and bodies governed by public law from all 28 EU partner states
• 75% for private non-profit bodies from all 28 EU partner states

The average contribution to a project is expected to be between €1-2 million.

Eligibility criteria

The following types of organisation can apply for funding:

• National, regional or local public authorities
• Institutions governed by public law (e.g. regional development agencies, business support organisations, universities)
• Private non-profit bodies.

At least half of the policies addressed by the EU regions (excluding any non-EU partner regions) in a project must be related to Structural Funds programmes.

The direct involvement of authorities responsible for the policies addressed by the project is therefore a pre-requisite. If they cannot be directly involved, a letter of support from these relevant authorities must be submitted.

Partners

Each project should involve at least three different organisations from three different countries. However, based on previous experience, a partnership of between five to ten partners appears ideal.

Call dates

The programme website will give up to date application deadlines.

Additional information

You can find further information on the programme website, which will also give information on UK-based Facilitators for the programme who can also help you find potential partners. This is a highly competitive, high level strategic programme, so potential applicants need to be sure they have a relevant project before spending time on the application process.  Contact funding@norfolk.gov.uk if you are considering applying for the programme and would like some advice.