Interreg Europe is an EU-funded programme that supports interregional cooperation across Europe. It aims to help regional and local governments develop and deliver better policies by creating an environment for sharing solutions and learning from each other's experiences. The programme focuses on four key 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. Typical project financing ranges from €1-2 million over 3-5 years. To receive funding, projects must involve partners from at least three different countries, with at least one being an EU member state. Projects should aim to improve regional development policies and programmes, particularly those under EU Cohesion Policy. Recent projects funded include LCA4Regions, which promotes the use of life cycle assessment methods in policymaking, and REPLACE, which supports the transition to renewable energy heating and cooling systems in buildings. Interreg Europe also operates a Policy Learning Platform, providing resources and expert support to regional policymakers across Europe, even if they are not directly involved in Interreg projects.
Interreg Europe could potentially support the development of the European Housing Cooperative (EHC) through its funding programmes and knowledge-sharing initiatives. The programme's focus on improving regional policies and fostering cooperation across Europe aligns well with EHC's pan-European vision for affordable, sustainable housing. The most relevant Interreg Europe programme for EHC would likely be under the "More Social Europe" priority, which includes objectives related to social inclusion and integration. Additionally, the "Greener Europe" priority could support EHC's sustainability goals. The programme's emphasis on interregional learning and policy improvement could help EHC develop best practices and influence housing policies across Europe. Interreg Europe provides funding for interregional cooperation projects, which EHC could leverage to collaborate with housing authorities and cooperatives across different countries. The programme also offers policy learning platforms and events that could help EHC build networks and share knowledge. While not directly related to housing cooperatives, past Interreg Europe projects like SOCIAL GREEN (focused on greening the social housing sector) and ENERSELVES (promoting energy self-consumption in buildings) demonstrate the programme's support for innovative housing and sustainability initiatives. EHC could potentially model its approach on these successful projects to secure Interreg Europe funding and support.