Inter-regional co-operation in regional programmes

1. Inter-regional co-operation in regional programmes Judit Törökné Rózsa European Commission DG Regional Policy

2. Partnership Very promising start: active involvement of stakeholders The challenge: partnership in the implementation Strengthen partnership (through monitoring committees and possibly interregionally) Pooling / more effective use of resources Increasing capacity: ‘joining forces’ Multiplying creativity and approaches Empowering local and /or disadvanteged regions/ actors for participation in development

3. Long-term strategy: need for a project pipeline • Projects must fit the EUSBSR and the OPs as well. • Shared by the regions around the Baltic Sea • It can never be too early to start building it up (quality and speed). • To enhance interregional partnership (local, regional, national level) •  To drive project ideas to mature projects Project pipeline

4. Collection • One-off, with strict deadline • Top down • End-phase is often „just” a database • Oriented towards quantity • No feedback to project owners • Pipeline • Continuous, without a deadline • Based on the interest of the regions • Co-operation with project owners and partners, and feedback • Continuous development of project ideas • Quality orientation

5. Identify and disseminate best practices • BSR pilot region, EUSBSR pilot macro-regional strategy • Need to demonstrate its success • Need to find the best projects, and not "good projects" • Projects that demonstrate the added value of the EUSBSR • Communicate results in the region and EU-wide

6. Implement projects Inter-regional co-operation Council Regulation (EC) No 1083/2006 Art 37.6 b „At the initiative of the Member State, the operational programmes financed by the ERDF may also contain for the Convergence and Regional Competitiveness and employment objectives:… (b) Actions for interregional cooperation with, at least, one regional or local authority of another Member State”

7. Bilateral (trilateral) co-operation • Parallel projects • Common themes identified in participating OPs • Infrastructure possible • Funding for EGTCs • Larger networks • Joint multilateral network projects (policy development) • Two themes (innovation, environment) IRC        vs       Interreg IVC They could be complementary!

8. How to use it? MAs to play a major role Facilitate preparation of IRC projects for the beneficiaries Concentrate on themes common to financing OPs and EUSBSR Few Managing Authorities to be involved (2-3) from at least 2 countries Soft measures and infrastructure possible

9. Further suggestions Standard clause in OPs Inventory of priorities across the region Parallel call for proposals for agreed themes Harmonised timetables Parallel selection decision, coordination Project reporting to include a section on partner’s progress

10. Possible other means of implementing the EUSBSR Earmarking Selection criteria Horizontal criteria Information activities Special emphasis on flagship projects and projects of high relevance to the strategy Exchange of information / enhanced partnership between MAs

11. THANK YOU!