INTERREG II A

Cross-border co-operation 1994-1999

Some examples of programmes and projects

Eligible areas

Areas eligible for Interreg II were: all NUTS III areas in the Community situated on internal and external land borders;

• certain NUTS III areas on sea borders.

In certain cases and in the context of cross-border co-operation programmes, Community assistance could also be granted for measures undertaken in NUTS III areas adjacent to those listed:

• provided they involve a high level of cross-border co-operation; and
• they do not as a general rule concern more than 20% of total expenditure under the programmes concerned.
  

Eligible measures (summary)

• Studies related to development plans treating border areas as an integrated geographical unit.
  

• Development of and support for small and medium-sized firms, principally through the establishment of cross-border networks of commercial contacts between such firms.
  

• General tourism and farm-based tourism.
  

• Local water, gas and electricity supplies, local telecommunications and the development of renewable energy resources.
  

• Pollution prevention and control, rational use of energy and waste disposal.
  

• Rural development.
  

• Improvement of agricultural productivity and support for cross-border trade.
  

• Establishment or development of trade organisations, professional associations and cross-border planning groups.
  

• Improving communications infrastructure (transport, media, etc.) in areas where these are seriously deficient.
  

• Co-operation in the fields of education and culture, including co-operation at higher education level, between research centres and universities.
  

• Support for training and employment measures, particularly for the unemployed, women and those affected by changes arising from the establishment of the single market.
  

• Co-operation on health.
  

• Measures in the fields of energy, telecommunications and transport designed to complement the development of the trans-European networks.
  

• Special measures to relieve the problems arising from the existence of different languages, administrative procedures and legal systems.
  

• Preparations for cross-border planning measures.
  

• Prevention of illicit trade across external frontiers.
  

In appraising the programmes submitted by the Member States, the Commission paid particular attention to:

• the existence of a coherent strategy for the border areas concerned with an appropriate combination of structural measures and measures for human resources;
  

• in the case of internal borders, the likely impact of the measures proposed on development on both sides of the border;
  

• in the case of external frontiers, the contribution that the proposed measures will make to promoting trans-national co-operation in as many areas as possible;
  

• the complementary nature of financial assistance from the Community and of national and regional contributions;
  

• the likely effectiveness of the provisions for implementation, monitoring and assessment and the degree of involvement of regional and local authorities in implementing these programmes (in the case of internal borders, joint provisions should be envisaged)
  

Funding 1994-1999

ECU 2 400 million in 1994 prices to the "cross-border co-operation" strand, of which ECU 1 800 million were allocated to the Objective 1 and 6 regions.

Only a limited amount was available for allocation to areas not eligible under Objectives 1, 2, 5(b) and 6.

Loans could be granted by the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC).

Countries which were not members of the Union may not receive grants from the Structural Funds, but cross-border activities in areas of countries in central and eastern Europe adjacent to the Union's external frontiers could be financed under the Phare programme (budget heading B7-612).