What is the INTERREG programme?

The INTERREG programme is a European Community Initiative.

INTERREG III was designed to strengthen economic and social cohesion in the European Union (EU) by promoting cross-border (strand A), trans-national (strand B) and interregional (strand C) co-operation.

With INTERREG IIIC, interregional co-operation between regional and other public authorities across the entire EU territory and neighbouring countries will be promoted. It allows regions without joint borders to work together in common projects and develop networks of co-operation.

The co-operations under INTERREG IIIC have given access to experience of other actors involved in regional development policy and create synergies between "best practice" projects and the Structural Fund’s mainstream programmes. The overall aim was to improve the effectiveness of regional development policies and instruments through large-scale information exchange and sharing of experience (networks) in a structured way.

The INTERREG IIIC programme has been financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), as part of the Structural Funds, and co-financed by national project partners. The application period was 2002-2006. All activities had to be finalised by end of 2008.

In 2007, the new INTERREG IV C Programme (2007-2013) has started.

Links:
www.interreg3c.net
www.interreg4c.net