BMW Regional Assembly - Atlantic Area Programme

Atlantic Area Programme

The Atlantic Area Programme provides assistance to transnational co-operation projects in Ireland, Portugal and designated regions of Spain, France and the United Kingdom. The programme area is influenced by a strong maritime theme with a coastline of some 32,000km. The Atlantic Area is also characterised by low research and development penetration, low accessibility to the regions, low broadband connectivity and threats posed by natural disasters such as flooding, forest fires and marine pollution.

Atlantic Area

Eligible Regions

Member State	Eligible Regions
Spain	Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, Basque region, Navarra, Cadiz, Huelva and Seville
France	Haute-Normandie, Basse-Normandie, Brittany, Pays de la Loire, Aquitaine, Poitou-Charentes
Ireland	All of Ireland (BMW and South & East Regions)
Portugal	Norte, Centro, Lisboa, Algarve, Alentejo
UK	Cumbria, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire & North Somerset, Dorset & Somerset, Cornwall, Isles of Scilly, Devon, West Wales & the Valleys, East Wales, South Western Scotland, Highlands & Islands, Northern Ireland.

The Programme has four eligible priorities with a total programme budget of €158m. Projects are funded at a rate of 65%. The Priorities of the Programme are set out below:

PRIORITY	ERDF €	Match €	TOTAL
1. Promote transnational entrepreneurial & innovation networks Develop Knowledge Transfers between companies & research centres Enhance competitiveness & innovation capacities in maritime economy niches of excellence Stimulate economic conversion & diversification by promoting regional endogenous potential	27,352,061	14,728,033	42,080,094
2. Protect, secure & enhance the marine & coastal environment sustainably Improve maritime safety Sustainable management & protection of resources of marine spaces. Exploit renewable energy potential of marine and coastal environment	37,704,800	20,302,585	58,007,385
3. Improve accessibility & internal links Promote interoperability & continuity of existing transport networks & sea/road/air intermodaility Promote short sea shipping & co-operation between ports	18,433,632	9,925,802	28,359,434
4. Promote transnational synergies in sustainable urban & regional development Pool resources and skills in the field of sustainable urban & rural development Make cities & regions more influential & attractive through networking Conserve & promote Atlantic cultural heritage of transnational interest.	14,317,666	7,709,512	22,027,178
Technical Assistance	6,243,074	2,081,025	8,324,099
TOTAL €	104,051,233	54,746,957	158,798,190

Progress to date

Following two calls for proposals in 2008 and 2009 a total of 48 projects have been approved throughout the Atlantic Area representing total EU grant assistance of €75m. The breakdown of the 48 projects approved across all four priorities is represented in the chart below: -

For more information please contact:

Michael O Brien - Programme Liaison Officer -
Phone: 094 9862970 or Email: Michael O Brien - Programme Liaison Officer