Now open for applications: Interreg Europe for a greener, smarter and more social Europe!
The first call for the Interreg Europe programme 2021-2027 is now open. Applications can be submitted until 31 May 2022 by public entities such as regional and local governments and knowledge institutions. The programme’s goal is to foster and enhance knowledge transfer and institutional learning across European regions. To achieve this goal Interreg Europe supports public entities and knowledge institutions to develop and improve policy instruments through collaboration, by facilitating the exchange of ideas and experience with partners from all over Europe.
More information on Interreg Europe? Contact us!
For whom is this programme interesting
This call is especially interesting for public authorities as the programme supports cooperation on a policy level. However, knowledge institutions are also able to participate. Private non-profit organisations and NGO’s are only able to participate as project partners.
Participating countries
The programme covers the entire European Union as well as Switzerland and Norway although participants from those countries are not able to participate as ‘lead partner’. Participants from Norway are able to receive a co-financing rate of up to 50%. Co-financing rates for Swiss participants have not been made public yet.
An Interreg Europe project should include at least one partner from one of the geographic areas mentioned below:
| Geographical areas | Countries covered |
| North | Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden |
| East | Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia |
| South | Croatia, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Spain |
| West | Belgium, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Switzerland |
Budget for 2021–2027
The total budget of Interreg Europe in the 2021–2027 MFF period is € 379 million. The co-finance rate for projects organised by public authorities and knowledge institutions is 80%. For private parties, NGO’s and non-profits this rate is 70%. The majority (80%) of the available budget will contribute to the policy goals related to the Twin transition towards a smarter, greener and more social Europe. However, projects dealing with any of the other Cohesion Policy themes are also welcome to apply. The Cohesion policy themes are:
- a more competitive and smarter Europe;
- a greener, low‑carbon transitioning towards a net zero carbon economy;
- a more connected Europe by enhancing mobility;
- a more social and inclusive Europe;
- Europe closer to citizens by fostering the sustainable and integrated development of all types of territories;
- Better Governance.
Which projects are eligible?
Your Interreg project has a duration of four years. In the first three years the project activities are carried out. These activities should facilitate cross regional learning. The knowledge that is obtained during the projects activities should than be implemented in policy by the project partners. After the core phase there will be a monitoring phase of one year to measure the outcome of the implementation of lessons learned during the project.
Compared to the previous programme period (2014–2021) a few notable changes have been made to the Interreg Europe programme. It has for instance been made easier to test a project’s approach with help of a pilot action within a project. A pilot action could be the implementation of particular policy to test its functioning in practice or the creation of a prototype of a proposed improvement within the public space.
Deadlines and other important data
In the coming weeks multiple online Q&A sessions will be organised on 22 April and 6 & 20 May 2022. For lead partners there are special webinars on 25, 26, 27 & 28 April 2022. See all sessions here.
The first call for Interreg Europe 2021–2027 opened on 5 April. The deadline for submitting your application is 31 May 2022.
In need of advice or support?
Hezelburcht was involved in several Interreg applications in the recent past. We can therefore adequately guide your organisation in preparing and submitting your application. If you would like to know more about this, do not hesitate to contact one of our grant specialists!
In need of advice? Contact us
Or call us directly: 088 495 20 00
