A new report summarising recommendations from our programme for the future of Interreg has been published today. The Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE Harvesting Report captures feedback from 216 central European stakeholders as part of a consultation process initiated by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO). With Cohesion Policy undergoing reform, the report plays a vital role in ensuring stakeholder perspectives help shape the next generation of Interreg programmes beyond 2027.
The report is based on contributions gathered through an online survey conducted in spring 2024 and insights from a focus group held in autumn 2024. By reflecting on the strengths of transnational cooperation and identifying areas for improvement, it provides actionable recommendations aligned with current European policy priorities and recent policy papers. These insights come at a crucial time when European regions face increasing challenges, including climate change, digital transformation, and economic disparities. If considered in the new legislative framework for Interreg and Cohesion policy, programmes like ours can continue to drive territorial cooperation, foster regional resilience, and contribute to the European Union’s overarching goals for 2027 and beyond.
The following policy recommendations were concretely derived from the stakeholder inputs for the future of Interreg:
- Keep Focus on Capacity Building and Piloting Innovative Ideas
- Improve Governance for a More Integrated Territorial Development
- Enhance Climate Action and Sustainability Efforts
- Simplify Administrative and Financial Procedures
- Pilot Innovation and Digitalisation Efforts
- Improve Coordination to Foster Sustainable Impacts
- Address the Need for Flexibility
- Retain Programme Area with Flexibility for Wider Cooperation
For detailed insights and data, download the 28-page Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE Harvesting Report. The report was submitted to the European Commission in December 2024, who will now synthesize findings from all Interreg programmes’ harvesting reports. The dialogue will then culminate at the Interreg Go! event on 27-28 March 2025, marking the final stage of this comprehensive consultation process.