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Steiermark-Büro 12 December 2002. The role of regions in the development of INTERREG Dr Elisabeth Helander, Director DG Regional Policy, European Commission. INTERREG. Rationale
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Steiermark-Büro12 December 2002 The role of regions in the development of INTERREG Dr Elisabeth Helander, Director DG Regional Policy, European Commission
INTERREG Rationale “National borders should not be a barrier to European balanced development and integration”
INTERREG • Present structure • Challenge of enlargement • Future perspectives
INTERREG • IIIA: cross-border co-operation • IIIB: transnational co-operation • IIIC: interregional co-operation
Cross-border Co-operationINTERREG III STRAND A 53 PROGRAMMES
Transnational Co-operationINTERREG III STRAND B 13 PROGRAMMES
INTERREG III STRAND C • 6% of allocation: 293 million euro • Programme-based approach • Co-operation and exchange of experience Interregional co-operation
INTERREG IIIC operations Programme RegionalFrameworkOperations Individualprojects Networks
Regional Framework OperationSpanish lead partner Programme areas:South ZoneWest ZoneEast ZoneNorth Zone
10 CandidateCountries
INTERREG and Enlargement • 9 new internal borders • 15 new external borders
INTERREG and Enlargement TYPES OF PROGRAMME • Current INTERREG-PHARE CBC borders • Current transnational and interregional programmes • Current PHARE CBC borders • Future external borders
Examples of co-operation topics favouring competitiveness and cohesion • Regional strategies for economic development • Transport management
South East Baltic Transport Link Plans and feasibility studies to identify bottlenecks and preparing infrastructure investment along the corridor
Examples of co-operation topics • Environment • Tourism • Security, prevention of hazards
Bridge-it Trip planning facility on the internet by an inter-modal, international public timetable database
Taste of Islands Marketing of food specialities from the archipelago Enterprising Archipelago Handicrafts, farm tourism, golfing, hotels, restaurants
Examples of co-operation topics • Promoting SMEs (Small and medium sized companies) • Technology and Innovation • Labour market, training and skills
INTERREG A Cross-border cooperation Drawn up by regional and local authorities in partnership with national authorities B Transnational cooperation Drawn up by national authorities in close cooperation with regional and local authorities C Interregional cooperation New possibilities for cooperation between regionaland local authorities
Important features in the new INTERREG A programmes • strategic approach • sustainable joint co-operation structures • involve regional authorities • true co-operation projects • concrete projects with clear objectives
INTERREG A in the future • Strong need for programmes along the new borders • But: continued need for programmes also along present internal borders; lower intervention rate ?
Features to be strengthened in future INTERREG B programmes • Strategic approach to important infrastructure • Co-finance projects with “transnational geography”: transport, environment, prevention of hazards and energy
1994-1999:3.6 billion € 2000-2006: 5.2 billion € 2007--- ?? INTERREG financing
More information: www.europa.eu.int/comm/ regional_policy/ interreg3/ www.interreg3c.net