The Multi-annual strategy document sets out the EU policy context for Interreg NEXT programmes and their key principles established in the legal and policy frameworks for both the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) and the Cohesion policy.
- 12 August 2022
Based on the socio-economic analysis and the lessons learnt from the cross-border cooperation ENI CBC 2014-2020 programmes, the document frames the priority areas for support and the expected results for the Interreg NEXT programmes on EU external borders with the neighbouring countries.
It takes into account the policy context where Interreg NEXT programmes are operating: in the Southern Neighbourhood, the political importance of transnational cooperation in the Mediterranean Sea Basin represents a unique confidence-building tool. The Interreg NEXT programmes can play an important role in supporting the implementation of the objectives of the new Agenda for the Mediterranean.
In the Eastern Neighbourhood, Interreg NEXT programmes among the Eastern neighbouring partner countries will be a key component of the Eastern Partnership (EaP) and other multilateral initiatives. As Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Georgia have submitted applications to join the European Union, CBC has become an essential instrument to achieve political and policy objectives jointly agreed with partners in the Eastern Neighbourhood.
The Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin programme will be an important part of regional cooperation developed under the Black Sea Synergy umbrella, with the potential to bring tangible results on the welfare of the coastal communities.
The Multi-annual strategy document preconizes that the supported actions of Interreg NEXT programmes need to be coherent with the existing EU strategic frameworks, ENP strategies and the regional and local development plans concerned. Integration in the Interreg should enable more effective coordination between Interreg NEXT and internal cooperation programmes. Result-orientation should be ensured through performance frameworks. EU resources invested under Interreg NEXT should be better focused, in line with the principle of thematic concentration. Sustainability of the results needs to be ensured. Co-ownership resulting from the partnership on equal footing, is a key factor for success. The successful Interreg governance model should be applied to the maximum possible extent. The simplification measures offered by the new legal rules should cover both programme and project level. Supported activities will have to respect the climate and environmental standards.
The adoption of the Multi-annual strategy is the first step towards the adoption of the Interreg NEXT programmes.