1. The INTERREG programme in the UK Interreg IVB NWE UK Contact Point

2. Because they are part of the same policy architecture They have the same policy drivers (Lisbon, Gothenburg, Cohesion) Overlap in target audiences Why ESPON and INTERREG?

3. Policy framework Third structural funds objective (Convergence, Competitiveness, Cooperation) Common policy background of all cooperation programmes: Lisbon Agenda (economic competitiveness) Gothenburg Agenda (environmental sustainability) EU Cohesion Policy (reducing regional disparities)

4. The Cooperation 'family'

5. Cross-border, transnational, inter-regional Cross Border (Strand A) programmes support co-operation and harmonisation between regions sharing a common border Transnational (Strand B) programmes address issues and challenges that go beyond national or regional borders, and for which a satisfactory solution at a local, regional or national level can only be found through co-operation. Inter-regional (Strand C) programme supports exchange of experience and good practice to improve policy.

6. Interreg IVA programme areas

7. Interreg IVB programme areas; the 13 'zones'

8. INTERREG IVB (transnational) Programme Priorities 1.Innovation 2.Environment 3.Accessibility 4.Sustainable Communities Focus and nuance according to geographic zones

9. NW Europe programme area www.nweurope.eu

10. The Interreg IVB North Sea Programme 2007-13 Programme Area www.northsearegion.eu

11. Atlantic Area Cooperation Territory www.coop-atlantic.com

12. Northern Periphery Programme www.northernperiphery.eu

13. Interreg IV C (Inter-regional strand) Regional Development policy rather than spatial planning For developing policy, not infrastructure Finances networks and exchange of experience & good practice 2 themes: Lisbon (research, technology, innnovation, entrepreneurship) Gothenburg (environment, risk prevention, biodiversity, energy efficiency)

14. What do Interreg projects do? Support cooperative action between partnerships across more than 1 member state Bring together public, academic, NGO and private organisations Test new approaches in reality, sometimes funding pilot or demonstration projects Positioned therefore between research and mainstream structural funds Involve their partners together in design, implementation and dissemination

15. Some transnational projects FASILIS : Improve biotech, pharmaceutical and medical technology SME access research facilities to, broadening the competence networks of both SMEs and research infrastructures SIGNATURE: Security sector collaboration BLISS: Street lighting from renewables FloodResilientCity: integration of increasing urban development and flood risks in major cities SINTROPHER: improve accessibility of semi-rural peripheral regions by regional tram-train linking to national/international rail or air hubs C-CHANGE: adapting open space planning to climate change Cites in Balance: Age friendly planning and service delivery

16. Other Projects with Research Institutes IMCORE Innovative Management for Europe's Changing Coastal Resource ForestClim- forests and climate change PILLS - pharmaceutical inputs from local sources (prevent water pollution) INTrade – sustainable movement of freight within ports

17. Some inter-regional project examples Greening Regional Development Programmes Sub Regional Networks: effective delivery of Structural Funds and other regional programmes HealthClusterNET: Health sector as a driver for regional development Urban lighting Geoparks Brown field

18. Key Information Programmes run 2007-13 NWE 2 calls per year; some programmes one 50% grant rate Programme budgets vary: NEW €335m ERDF 46 projects approved; 51% of budget left (€163.8m) Average project 3 years, 9 partners, €6-8million ERDF Each programme has a different website

19. Special NWE Initiatives Strategic Initiatives: Energy from algae, Biomass, renewable energy agencies’ network. Innovation clusters, Knowledge transfer network Freight and telematics – alternative corridors Strategic clusters: climate change, sustainable energy in construction, public passenger transport ESPON project: TRANSMEC Workshops: develop better innovation and sustainable communities projects

20. ESPON and INTERREG Shared objectives Programme level support – separate discussion. At project level: ESPON partnerships may wish to extend their research into practice, by developing an INTERREG project INTERREG projects produce empirical results which are complementary to the research results of ESPON INTERREG projects can use ESPON material as evidence base, and signpost to relevant research ESPON can help INTERREG projects find ‘good’ partners Support strategic initiatives and thematic gaps Make the spatial dimensions of Lisbon and Gothenburg more accessible? Contribute to INTRREG project planning e.g. impact measurement, evaluation methodologies?

21. Contact details Paula MacLachlan PO Box 2840 Bristol BS6 9GB Tel: 0117 9441082 Mob: 07810 056071 E-mail: paula@interreg.org.uk Ian Hill Tel: 01900 821322 Mob: 07976 224948 E-mail: ian.nweurope@btinternet.com