INTERREG – Post-2027
Final Version (December 2023)
The reflection process on future Cohesion policy has started across the EU, discussions are taking place in various experts and stakeholders groups, in events and debates.
Interreg is an integral part of Cohesion policy and at the same time presents strong specificities (cross-border dimension, specific objectives, link to trust and people to people projects, cooperation with non-Member States, territorial anchorage, possibility to support European Social Fund type activities, etc). It is therefore essential that the Interreg community, including citizens and stakeholders, takes part in a debate that will impact its own future.
To this end, the European Commission’s Directorate General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO) will launch a twofold consultation process to gather opinions/comments/suggestions as to what shape Interreg should take in the next MFF:
- REGIO encourages Interreg programmes to run a wider stakeholders’ consultation - e.g. local communities, (potential) beneficiaries, citizens – as they best know their constituency and already have some experience in this respect (e.g. consultations to prepare the 2014-2020 Interreg),
- A consultation of Interreg programmes will be conducted by INTERACT / TESIM.
DG REGIO is ready to assist Interreg programmes (e.g. providing guidance and advice, answering questions, participating in the consultations, extending the Interreg Volunteer Youth initiative, etc.). As a starting point, this document presents a toolkit for the consultation of stakeholders and citizens. It is a practical guide for Interreg programmes providing core questions, a template for reporting back and possible consultation methods. All this can be adapted to the specific situation of each programme.
Following comments received and the discussion between Interreg programmes and the Commission on the different streams of the consultation process on 1st December 2023, adjustments were made to the toolkit and a Q&A section was added at the end of the document.
The final version of the consultation Toolkit is available on this page and an Interact webinar on ‘Citizens’ consultation’ will be organised in the second half of February 2024.