Supports interregional cooperation and improves regional development policies.
Interreg Europe is a European Union funding programme that supports interregional cooperation across Europe. It aims to improve regional development policies and programmes, particularly those under EU Cohesion Policy, through knowledge exchange and good practice transfer among public authorities and other policy-relevant organizations from different European countries. The programme focuses on four main policy areas: research and innovation, SME competitiveness, low-carbon economy, and environment and resource efficiency. For the 2021-2027 period, Interreg Europe has a budget of €379 million from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Typical project financing ranges from €1 million to €2 million, with co-financing rates of 70% or 80% depending on the legal status of the project partners. To receive funding, projects must involve partners from at least three countries, including at least two EU member states, and address one of the programme's thematic objectives. Recent projects funded by Interreg Europe include REPLACE, which aims to boost the competitiveness of renewable energy technologies, and SMART WASTE, focused on improving waste management policies. The programme also supports a Policy Learning Platform, providing continuous learning opportunities and expert support to policymakers across Europe.