INTERREG VI Strand D- Cooperation in the Outermost Regions

How does cooperation in Outermost Regions work?

The objective of the specific strand D established for the outermost regions is to allow them to cooperate with their neighbouring countries and territories in the most efficient and simple way. To this end, the Interreg Regulation offers the possibility to manage both external funds and the ERDF under the same set of rules. Consequently, under strand D, calls for proposals can be launched for combined funding by the ERDF, the Neighbourhood Instrument, Development Cooperation and International Cooperation () (NDICI Global Europe - Regulation (EU ) 2021/947 of the European Parliament and of the Council) and the Overseas Territories Association Decision (OAD – Council Decision (EU) 2021/1764 of 5 October 2021) .

Strand D covers cooperation within a defined and generally extended geographical area:

• Amazonia “Plateau des Guyanes”
• Caribbean Space
• Middle Atlantic / Gulf of Guinea
• Indian Ocean (from Australia to India and the Eastern coast of Africa)
• Mozambique Channel (thanks to the extension of the current Mayotte-Madagascar-Union of Comoros programme).

Five cooperation programmes in the outermost regions are representing 3.5% of the INTERREG total amount, with over EUR 280 million EUR as follows:

• Interreg Indian Ocean (1): EUR 62 252 459
• Interreg Caribbean (2): 67 895 832 EUR
• Interreg Amazonia (3): EUR 18 899 049
• Interreg Mozambique Channel (4): EUR 10 228 277
• Interreg Madeira-Azores-Canaries (5): EUR 169 898 663

How does cooperation in Outermost Regions work?

Owing to the aim of this cooperation which is to facilitate the regional integration of outermost regions in their neighborhood, each project must have a third country (non-EU) as a partner. This obligation is fulfilled by means of two alternative funding mechanisms

• Either using the ERDF outside the territory of the outermost region
• Or combining the financing by the ERDF with the NDICI (ex-EDF) and/or OAD, on the condition that the support provided by the ERDF and by the Union's external financing instruments is based on the principles of reciprocity and proportionality.

Implementation of Interreg Outermost regions projects

One of the novelties for the new programming period provided by the Interreg Regulation consists of offering to outermost regions 3 management methods when combining the contributions from the ERDF and from one or more external financing instruments:

1. under shared management both in the Member States and in any participating third country or OCT;
2. under shared management only in the Member States and in any participating third country or OCT with regard to ERDF expenditure outside the Union for one or more operations, whereas the contributions from one or more external financing instruments of the Union are managed under indirect management;
3. under indirect management both in the Member States and in any participating third country or OCT.

Interreg projects for impact on territories: what are the main objectives

Outermost regions stand for the EU in the areas mentioned above and these cooperation programmes are unique tools that contribute to the objective of the Commission for a “stronger Europe in the world”.

For instance, the “Indian Ocean” Interreg programme participates in the Team Europe Initiatives for Mauritius and the Union of Comoros and the “Caribbean Area” programme has organised the first conference aiming to find common solutions between the countries in the area on the sargassum disaster.

The Madeira-Azores-Canarias (MAC) programme is extending its geographical coverage to four new countries in Africa and so does the Mozambique Channel programme. These programmes will cover all the priorities set out by political cohesion, with a particular emphasis on Green Deal, Mobility and Governance. Due to the need to cooperate more intensively with third countries and OCTs, the Interreg Specific Objective for a “Better Governance” is particularly relevant for strand D programmes.

Outermost regions cooperation programmes count with the achievement of landmark projects such as the Maroni ferry on the French Guyana and Suriname border or the Satellite-based environmental monitoring in the Indian Ocean (project SEAS-OI). These programmes also offer individuals and companies a number of possibilities of exchanges notably in the fields of innovation, research, health, culture, education and training.

Find out more about Interreg projects in the outermost regions