1 Second call for proposals – National Information Day EUROPEAN REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUND Benoît Dalbert, Project Officer, Joint Technical Secretariat National Information Day - Sofia Points of attention on interregional cooperation

2 Second call for proposals – National Information Day Summary 1.Background Information on INTERREG 2.Main Features of INTERREG A, B & C 3.Final recommendations on INTERREG IVC Points of attention on interregional cooperation

3 Second call for proposals – National Information Day 1.Background Information on INTERREG Points of attention on interregional cooperation

4 Second call for proposals – National Information Day 1. Background Information on INTERREG INTERREG Philosophy Establishing links between regions sharing a common interest Raising awareness among EU citizens Preparing a ‘Europe without borders’

5 Second call for proposals – National Information Day 1. Background Information on INTERREG INTERREG = New Objective 3 of EU Cohesion Policy Budget : € 8.7 billion, i.e. 2.5% of EU Cohesion Policy Cross-border cooperation: € 6.5 billion (74%) Transnational cooperation: € 1.8 billion (18%) Interregional cooperation: € 445 million (5%) Stronger focus on the renewed Lisbon Strategy Making Europe a more attractive place to invest and work Investing more in knowledge and innovation - engines of sustainable growth Creating more and better jobs European Territorial Cooperation

6 Second call for proposals – National Information Day 2. Main Features of INTERREG A, B & C Points of attention on interregional cooperation

7 Second call for proposals – National Information Day 2. Main Features of INTERREG A, B & C INTERREG A: Cross-Border Cooperation

8 Second call for proposals – National Information Day 2. Main Features of INTERREG A, B & C Aim: Bringing adjacent cross-border regions closer together through the development of joint projects Wide range of issues covered:  Encouraging entrepreneurship, especially the development of SMEs, tourism, culture and cross-border trade  Improving joint management of natural resources  Supporting links between urban and rural areas  Improving access to transport and communication networks  Developing joint use of infrastructure  Administrative, employment and equal opportunities work INTERREG A: Cross-Border Cooperation ‘Filling the gaps’

9 Second call for proposals – National Information Day 2. Main Features of INTERREG A, B & C INTERREG B: Transnational Cooperation

10 Second call for proposals – National Information Day 2. Main Features of INTERREG A, B & C Aim: Promoting a better territorial integration within the EU (spatial planning with reference to ESDP) Themes covered include:  Innovation, especially international networks of universities, research institutions and SMEs  Environment, especially water resources, rivers, lakes, sea (flood management)  Accessibility, including telecommunications, and in particular the completion of networks (communication corridors)  Sustainable urban development, especially polycentric development INTERREG B: Transnational Cooperation ‘Extra European dimension to regional development’

11 Second call for proposals – National Information Day 2. Main Features of INTERREG A, B & C INTERREG C: Interregional Cooperation

12 Second call for proposals – National Information Day 2. Main Features of INTERREG A, B & C INTERREG C: Interregional Cooperation ‘Improving the effectiveness of regional policies’ INTERREG IVC = ‘capitalisation’ programme Capitalisation: process of collecting, analysing, disseminating and transferring good practices in a certain domain of regional policy Programme’s thematic priorities:  Innovation and the knowledge economy  Environment and risk prevention

13 Second call for proposals – National Information Day 3. Final recommendations on INTERREG IVC Points of attention on interregional cooperation

14 Second call for proposals – National Information Day Key elements derives from this programme’s rationale:  Interregional cooperation ≠ cross-border cooperation ≠ transnational cooperation  Local & regional authorities = ‘natural’ target group of IVC Other bodies may be involved only if their link with regional and local policies is clearly demonstrated  Exchange of experiences = core activities of all IVC projects Pilot actions / experimentations possible but only under very strict conditions 3. Final recommendations on INTERREG IVC To always keep in mind the programme’s rationale!

15 Second call for proposals – National Information Day Thank you very much for your attention!