EU: INTERREG 2014 - 2020
Overview
The new INTERREG Programme has been designed to address many of these challenges in order to build upon opportunities for enhanced economic and social development across the region. The content of the Programme has been agreed by the Northern Ireland Executive, the Irish Government and the Scottish Government. It is currently undergoing review and negotiation by the European Commission (EC). Once this process has concluded the Programme will be adopted by the EU. The SEUPB will then co-ordinate the launch of the Programme in 2015.
How much funding is available?
The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) contribution to the Programme is €240m. Applicants must provide at least 15% of the total value of their project budget through their own, national or regional sources (including contributions in kind).
What’s new for 2014-2020?
In line with the Europe 2020 strategy the EC requires that all of the new 2014-2020 programmes be more ‘concentrated’. Therefore INTERREG will focus on a narrower range of activities to ensure that there is sufficient available funding to bring about significant change.
Who can apply?
Subject to eligibility checks, applications can be submitted from a wide range of organisations including: Public Sector Bodies; Government Departments; Voluntary and Community Sector Organisations; Universities and Institutes of Technology; Colleges of Further Education. (This list is not exhaustive).
The INTERREG Programme has four key priority areas, with indicative budgets, as detailed below. These priorities are a result of extensive research and public consultation carried out by the SEUPB.
Research & Innovation:
- To increase the level of cross-border business and industry-relevant research and innovation capacity within the ‘Health & Life Sciences’ and ‘Renewable Energy’ sectors (value: €45m);
- To increase the number and capacity of SMEs engaged in cross-border Research & Innovation aimed at the development of new products, processes and services (value: €15.9m).
Environment:
- To (i) promote cross-border co-operation in the recovery of selected protected habitats and priority species (value: €11m) and (ii) develop crossborder co-operation capacity for the monitoring and management of marine protected areas and species (value: €11m);
- To improve (i) water quality in shared transitional waters (value: €30m) and (ii) freshwater quality in cross-border river basins (value: €20m).
Sustainable Transport:
- To promote cross-border intermodal and sustainable mobility in the cross-border region (value: €40m).
Health:
- To improve the health and well-being of people living in the region by enabling them to access health and social care services in the most appropriate setting to their needs (value: €53m).
What kinds of projects will be supported?
- A two stage assessment process will be used to determine the success of any application. The following criteria, detailed below, will be used to assess all applications:
- The results and outputs of any application must be in line with the results and outputs of the Programme. (These will be detailed in the call for applications).
- Applications must clearly demonstrate cross-border co-operation between partners in the UK and Ireland.
- Applicants must be able to show evidence of good corporate governance and partnership arrangements.
- Applications must have a high quality of project design in terms of pre-planning and implementation.
- Applicants must be able to demonstrate that their project represents value for money.
- The project must contribute to sustainable development and equality
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For information on projects funded visit the website here