For the 2007-2013 structural funds period, Interreg is a core objective of Cohesion Policy and its new title is ‘Territorial co-operation’ or objective 3 of EU Cohesion Policy. Objective three programmes account for a total budget of some €7.8bn ERDF and comprises Cross Border, Transnational and Interregional co-operation programmes. The individual budgets are allocated by the European Union are as follows: -
• Strand A Cross Border (€5.6bn representing 52 Geographic programmes)
• Strand B Transnational (€1.8bn representing 13 Geographic programmes)
• Strand C Inter-regional (€445m representing one EU 27 wide programme) This budget also covers ESPON, URBACT and Interact II co-operation.
Irish organisations from the public, private, community and voluntary sectors, higher education sector and business representative groupings are eligible to participate in all three co-operation strands of Territorial Co-operation programmes. Irish organisations are eligible to participate in the following programmes: -
Cross Border:
• Ireland/Northern Ireland/Scotland programme (www.seupb.eu)
• Ireland/ Wales Programme (www.irelandwales.ie )
Transnational:
• Atlantic Area Programme (www.atlanticarea.ccdr-n.pt )
• Northern Periphery Programme (www.northernperiphery.eu )
• North West Europe Programme (www.nweurope.eu )
Interregional:
• Interreg IVC Programme (www.interreg4c.eu )
INTERREG IVC – West area regions - Benefiting from interregional cooperation - Sept 2012 Brochure
While the Cross Border and transnational programmes support co-operation within specified geographical areas, inter-regional co-operation projects are EU wide with no geographical limitations. Prospective applicants should consult each of the Programme websites for further information on eligible regions and eligibility criteria.
In Ireland, the BMW Regional Assembly, Southern and Eastern Regional Assembly and the Special EU Programmes Body are involved in the management and promotion of all three strands of Territorial Co-Operation programmes during the period 2007-2013.
BMW Regional Assembly and its role in Territorial Co-Operation Programmes
The BMW Regional Assembly is the designated contact point in Ireland for the Atlantic Area, Northern Periphery and Interreg IVC Programmes. This function has been devolved to the Assembly by the Department of Finance and involves promoting the programmes in Ireland, providing project development assistance to project promoters and assisting with identifying partners throughout the eligible areas. The Assembly is also represented on the Programme Monitoring Committees of these Programmes. The BMW Regional Assembly has been performing this function since 2002. The Managing Authority for the programme is based in the Norte Region of Portugal.
Regional Assembly Proramme of Innovative Actions
For more information please contact:
Michael O Brien - Programme
Liaison Officer -
Phone: 094 9862970 or Email: Michael O Brien - Programme
Liaison Officer
For more information on Interreg North West Europe, please contact:
Ms. Sonja Maurus - Programme Executive Officer, Southern and Eastern Regional Assembly - Phone: 051 860709 or Email: smaurus@seregassembly.ie or log onto http://www.nweurope.eu/
