The role of regions in the development of INTERREG Dr Elisabeth Helander, Director DG Regional Policy, European Commission Steiermark-Büro 12 December 2002

Rationale National borders should not be a barrier to European balanced development and integration INTERREGINTERREG

INTERREG INTERREG Present structure Present structure Challenge of enlargement Challenge of enlargement Future perspectives Future perspectives

INTERREGINTERREG IIIA: cross-border co-operationIIIA: cross-border co-operation IIIB: transnational co-operationIIIB: transnational co-operation IIIC: interregional co-operationIIIC: interregional co-operation

Cross-border Co-operation INTERREG III STRAND A 53 PROGRAMMES

Transnational Co-operation INTERREG III STRAND B 13 PROGRAMMES

6% of allocation: 293 million euro6% of allocation: 293 million euro Programme-based approachProgramme-based approach Co-operation and exchange of experienceCo-operation and exchange of experience INTERREG III STRAND C Interregional co-operation Interregional co-operation

INTERREG IIIC operations ProgrammeProgramme Individual projects NetworksNetworks Regional Framework Operations

Regional Framework Operation Spanish lead partner Programme areas: South Zone West Zone East Zone North Zone

10 Candidate Countries

INTERREG and Enlargement INTERREG and Enlargement 9 new internal borders 9 new internal borders 15 new external borders 15 new external borders

INTERREG and Enlargement TYPES OF PROGRAMME Current INTERREG-PHARE CBC bordersCurrent INTERREG-PHARE CBC borders Current transnational andCurrent transnational and interregional programmes interregional programmes Current PHARE CBC bordersCurrent PHARE CBC borders Future external bordersFuture external borders

Examples of co-operation topics favouring competitiveness and cohesion Regional strategies for economic development Regional strategies for economic development Transport management Transport management

South East Baltic Transport Link Plans and feasibility studies to identify bottlenecks and preparing infrastructure investment along the corridor

Examples of co-operation topics Environment Environment Tourism Tourism Security, prevention of hazards Security, prevention of hazards

Bridge-it Trip planning facility on the internet by an inter-modal, international public timetable database

Taste of Islands Marketing of food specialities from the archipelago Enterprising Archipelago Handicrafts, farm tourism, golfing, hotels, restaurants

Examples of co-operation topics Promoting SMEs (Small and medium sized companies) Promoting SMEs (Small and medium sized companies) Technology and Innovation Technology and Innovation Labour market, training and skills Labour market, training and skills

B Transnational cooperation D rawn up by national authorities in close cooperation with D rawn up by national authorities in close cooperation with regional and local authorities regional and local authorities C Interregional cooperation D rawn up by regional and local authorities in partnership with national authorities D rawn up by regional and local authorities in partnership with national authorities N ew possibilities for cooperation between regional and local authorities regional and local authorities A Cross-border cooperation INTERREG

Important features in the new INTERREG A programmes Important features in the new INTERREG A programmes strategic approach strategic approach sustainable joint co-operation structures sustainable joint co-operation structures involve regional authorities involve regional authorities true co-operation projects true co-operation projects concrete projects with clear objectives concrete projects with clear objectives

INTERREG A in the future INTERREG A in the future Strong need for programmes along the new borders Strong need for programmes along the new borders But: continued need for programmes also along present internal borders; lower intervention rate ? But: continued need for programmes also along present internal borders; lower intervention rate ?

Features to be strengthened in future INTERREG B programmes Features to be strengthened in future INTERREG B programmes Strategic approach to important infrastructure Strategic approach to important infrastructure Co-finance projects with transnational geography: Co-finance projects with transnational geography: transport, environment, prevention of hazards and energy transport, environment, prevention of hazards and energy

è : 3.6 billion è : 3.6 billion è : 5.2 billion è : 5.2 billion è ?? INTERREG f inancing

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