INTERREG

Interreg is a family of European cooperation programmes within the European Union’s cohesion policy designed to promote cooperation across borders and regions in Europe. It provides funding and a framework for joint projects that address shared challenges in areas such as economy, environment, infrastructure, and social inclusion. The programme is administered under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and adapts to the policy priorities of each funding period.

Historically, Interreg began in the 1990s as cross-border cooperation and has evolved to include three main strands: Interreg A, which supports cross-border cooperation between neighboring regions; Interreg B, which funds transnational cooperation across larger regional groupings such as river basins or macro-regions; and Interreg C, which facilitates interregional cooperation to disseminate good practices and policy learning across Europe. Each strand is implemented through individual programmes covering defined geographic areas.

Programmes are governed by managing authorities in participating regions, often with a joint secretariat and a monitoring committee that includes national and regional representatives and stakeholders. Projects typically involve local and regional authorities, universities, research institutes, businesses, and civil society organizations. Eligible participants are predominantly EU member states and associated regions within the programme area, with some programmes allowing participation of partners from neighboring non-EU countries.

Impact from Interreg includes improved cross-border infrastructure and services, joint environmental and disaster risk management, enhanced research and innovation collaboration, and better alignment of regional policies. Interreg complements other cohesion policy instruments by promoting shared solutions and policy learning across Europe.