INTERREG IV

The 2007-2013 EU funded INTERREG co-operation objective consists of three strands:

• INTERREG IVa promoting co-operation between terrestrial and maritime border regions in the European Union
• INTERREG IVb promoting co-operation on a transnational basis between wider groupings of European regions
• INTERREG IVc promoting the sharing of knowledge and experience on an inter-regional basis across the whole of the EU

The Interreg IV programme can part-finance co-operation projects between organisations in different parts of the European Union.

INTERREG IVa

Kent is eligible to take part in two separate INTERREG IVa programmes, each worth some €170m:

• the France-England-Flanders-Netherlands "2 Seas" cross-border co-operation programme
• the France (Channel)-England cross-border co-operation programme

Have a look at the two Programme area maps.

(The following links all open in a new window)

Both programmes will fund projects at a rate of 50% and organisations in Kent are eligible to develop joint INTERREG IVa projects with partners in Northern France, West Flanders (Belgium) or the South West part of the Netherlands as well as additional partners in the English eligible area. The 2 Seas programme is being managed by the Regional Council for Nord-Pas de Calais based in Lille and the Channel programme by the Regional Council for Upper Normandy based in Rouen.(Please note that these two websites are in French).

The Channel programme was launched in 2008 and it is now possible to submit project applications to the programme. Applicant organisations should first complete a pre-project proforma available from the INTERREG IIIa website and should the project meet the core criteria, they will be invited to complete a full online application form within four weeks of the initial submission. Projects will then be considered by the Project Selection Committee approximately four months after the submission of the initial pre-project proforma. There will be three application deadlines per year until at least 2013. The next application deadlines for the Channel programme have been set as follows:

The Channel programme can fund projects under the following priorities:

• Priority 1: Reinforce the sense of belonging to a common space of citizenship and raise awareness of common interests (including mutual learning of language, culture and reinforcing mutual understanding)
• Priority 2: Build partnerships for cross-border economic development and centres of excellence (including business and research, new enterprises and maritime actiities)
• Priority 3: Build an attractive region to live in and visit (including social inclusion, culture, heritage and tourism)
• Priority 4: Ensure a sustainable environmental development of the common space (including renewable energies, environmental and risk management)
• Priority 5: The common priority with the INTERREG IVA France-England-Flanders-Netherlands programme (financing joint projects between the 2 Seas and Channel Programme areas)

Further details about the Channel programme including the guide for project leaders and the application forms can be found on the INTERREG IIIA website.

The 2 Seas programme was launched on 24 April 2008 and is now open for project applications. The programme is planning to run three calls for proposals per year until at least 2012. Future calls for proposals have been set as follows:

• Priority 1: Supporting an economically competitive, attractive and accessible area (including the maritime economy, innovation, research, entrepreneurship and tourism)
• Priority 2: Promoting and enhancing a safe and healthy environment (including integrated coastal zone management, natural and technological risks, renewable energies, water and waste management)
• Priority 3: Improving Quality of Life (including heritage, culture, health, education and social cohesion)
• Priority 4: Common Priority with the France (Channel) - England programme (financing joint projects between the 2 Seas and Channel Programme areas)

Applicants need to complete an application form which is available along with several programme guidance documents on the INTERREG IVA 2 Seas Website.

Partners from both IVa programme areas will also be able to work together on themes of a common interest to both eligible areas under the common priority which links the two programmes.

Details of the types of projects that will be funded by the common priority remain to be finalised.

INTERREG IVb

Kent is also eligible to take part in two Transnational Interreg IVb programmes, both of which were launched in 2007 and will run until 2013.

The North Sea Region (NSR) Programme

The aim of this programme is to support transnational co-operation projects in innovation, the environment, accessibility and sustainable and competitive communities. The programme is worth some €150m and projects will be funded at a rate of 50% and must include partners from the eligible area in at least two of the following countries: Sweden, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, the Flemish Region of Belgium, the UK (including Kent) and Norway. Organisations (local authorities, universities etc) can develop projects under the following priorities:

• Priority 1: Building on our capacity for innovation
• Priority 2: Promoting the sustainable management of our environment
• Priority 3: Improving the accessibility of places in the NSR
• Priority 4: Promoting sustainable and competitive communities

For more information, please visit the North Sea Region programme website.

The North West Europe (NWE) Programme

The North West Europe programme aims to improve territorial development and cohesion in the North West Europe area. The eligible area includes the UK, Ireland, Belgium and parts of the Netherlands, France, Germany and Switzerland. All projects must include partners (local authorities, universities etc) from at least two countries. The programme is worth some €330m and will part-finance projects under the following priorities:

• Priority 1: Developing the NWE knowledge-based economy by capitalising on our capacity for innovation
• Priority 2: Sustainable management of natural resources and of natural areas and technological risks
• Priority 3: Improving connectivity in NWE by promoting intelligent and sustainable transport and ICT solutions
• Priority 4: Promoting strong and prosperous communities at transnational level

For more information please visit the North West Europe programme website.

INTERREG IVc

The 2007-2013 Interreg IVc programme covers the whole of the European Union (27 Member States) as well as Switzerland and Norway and aims to promote the exchange and transfer of knowledge and good practices between European regions. Public authorities (regional and local authorities in particular) are eligible to apply for projects involving partners from at least three European countries. The total programme budget is €302m and individual projects may receive a rate of up to 75% funding. The programme is split into two main priorities and supports projects on the following themes:

• innovation and knowledge economy
• environment and risk prevention

For more information please visit the INTERREG IVc website.