The project’s logic is to gather regions that share a common challenge and have different experience in addressing this challenge.
Based on this logic, the practices on which a project works should come from the regions involved in the project.
However, in exceptional and justified cases, a practice may come from outside the partnership.
In the context of Interreg Europe, a good practice is defined as an initiative related to regional development policy which has proved to be successful in a region and which is of potential interest to other regions.
‘Proved successful’ is when the good practice has already provided tangible and measurable results in achieving a specific objective.
Since Interreg Europe is dedicated to improving regional development policies, a good practice is usually related to public intervention. In principle, a private initiative is not considered as a good practice', unless if there is evidence that it has already inspired public policies.
Although the Interreg Europe programme primarily refers to good practices, valuable learning also derives from unsuccessful practices. Lessons learnt from unsuccessful experiences can also be taken into consideration in the exchange of experience process.
Examples of good practices can be found in the good practice database on the programme website.
For more info, watch the video (1:17 - 2:11).
The main activities during the core phase will relate to the following:
The exchange of experience between partners (also called ‘interregional learning process’) is the main catalyst for generating the expected policy improvement in the participating regions.
The typical activities related to this learning process will include:
The learning process is based on the identification, analysis, and exchange of policy knowledge and practice from the participating regions in the policy field tackled by the project.
The activities are the basis of the exchange of experience and can include:
There are many ways to organise a successful learning process between partners and there is no ‘one size fits all’ method.The approach may depend, for instance, on the number of partners involved or on the nature of the subject addressed.
Experience gained in previous programmes has shown a variety of methods from ‘simple working methods’ based on traditional networking activities, such as thematic seminars, study visits, and staff exchanges, to a more sophisticated approach based on tools such as joint analysis, case studies, peer reviews, or joint pilot actions.
As either approach can be successful, Interreg Europe does not impose a specific methodology but, based on experience gained in previous programmes, it recommends making the learning process as simple as possible.
At the end of the day, it is up to each interregional cooperation project to propose a strategy that is tailored to the needs of the participating regions and which ensures an efficient learning process between the partners and in the stakeholder groups.
Projects are welcome to integrate online activities into their strategy whenever possible to minimise their environmental impact. However, this online format cannot fully replace in-person exchange.
Yes, stakeholder group meetings are compulsory. They should be used to share the lessons learnt from the interregional cooperation activities with the stakeholders and allow them to input their opinions and ideas into the project.
No, an action plan is compulsory only for regions where no policy improvement is achieved by the end of the core phase.
Projects are implemented in 2 phases:
For more information, watch the video (3:31 - 4:18).
A pilot action is an implementation-related activity dedicated to testing a new approach to public intervention.
This is usually the transfer of a successful practice from one region to another, but it can also be a new initiative jointly designed by the project.
The ultimate objective of a pilot action is that, when it is successful, it is ultimately integrated into the policy instrument addressed and therefore contributes to improving it.
For more information on pilot actions, watch the video (2:12 - 3:30).
No. Pilot actions may be requested as a complement to the exchange of experience activities, but the latter remains the core focus of Interreg Europe projects.
Due to the demanding character of pilot actions, the programme can only authorise a maximum of one pilot action per region per project.
Requests for approval to carry out one or more pilot actions can be made at two moments during project:
For more information, watch the video (2:10 - 5:29)
Funding will concern implementation-related activities dedicated to testing a new approach to public intervention, or initiatives jointly designed by the project.
Thus, only costs incurred and paid by the partners listed in the application form are eligible. This means that a pilot action cannot consist in transferring the project ERDF/Norwegian subsidy to third parties (e.g., through a direct subsidy to an SME).
This also means that a voucher scheme is eligible only under the condition that the service provided by the voucher is directly contracted and paid by the Interreg Europe partner.
Moreover, any external / third party organisations benefiting from the pilot actions activities must be selected in a fair and transparent way.
A pilot action budget usually stands between EUR 40,000 and 120,000 depending on the activities foreseen. It can include costs for equipement and for infrastructure and works. The costs of infrastructure and works are eligible only if they are specifically needed to implement the pilot action.
Due to the nature of pilot actions under Interreg Europe, the eligibility of costs for infrastructure and works is usually limited to small scale building materials or labour needed for works .
We have a list a publicity requirements that you need to keep in mind when communicating about your project:
Use the project branding rules and guidelines in your project communication
We provide you many templates to support you in your project communication.
In your application, you must include these required activities:
You must also include up to 10 recommended activities such as:
Finally, you should also include support activities for your project implementation. We organise various webinars and workshops for you where you can meet with other projects and exchange with them on different topics.
Don’t forget. Don’t just plan them, but include them in your budget.
A communication strategy sets out how communication will help you achieve your project’s overall objectives.
A strategy identifies how the project will reach those who need to be reached and what they need to hear to ensure the project is a success.
It is a roadmap that serves throughout your project’s lifetime.
In the context of interregional cooperation, there are several reasons for this:
Your communication strategy is an important part of your application form and you should invest time in defining and refining it.
The easiest way to identify your target groups is to draw up a list of important people and organisations who need to know about the project and its work.
Next, group them according to their current level of engagement/ interest in the issue you tackle, and their ability to influence the outcome of your project.
Your key target groups will be those people who have a high interest in the issue you tackle and high influence on your project’s outcome.
No, please do not create your own project logo.
We will give you your main visual at the start of your project. It will consist of the programme’s logo and your project’s acronym, and will comply with the Regulations and the programme requirements.
You must use your project’s main visual on all your communication materials intended for the public and for participants in your activities.
No, please do not build your own website. We will provide one for you.
Your project website will have:
You will be responsible for editing and updating your website at least once every six months.