Brussels, 28/05/2001 (Agence Europe) - On 23 May, the European Commission adopted a Communication on the implementation of strand C of the interregional cooperation programme INTERREG III that aims to promote cooperation between regions and across borders and strengthen cooperation among European regions and improve the effectiveness of large-scale information exchange and sharing of experiences. The Communication provides guidelines to help the Member States and regions prepare proposals for support during the period 2000-2006.
Strand C will be managed in a decentralised way. Although the whole of the EU is eligible, four programming zones have been indicated: the North-West, the North-East, the East and the South zone. INTERREG IIIC will operate as a framework for joint projects to link and promote exchange of experience and best practice from the regional programmes through the promotion of four types of interregional cooperation: the types of activities supported under Objective 1 and 2 programmes, INTERREG, URBAN and urban development and the Regional Initiative Action programmes. Operations could deal with issues such as research, technological development and SMEs, the information society, tourism, culture and employment. The European Commission underlines the importance of a number of other areas such as maritime and coastal cooperation, cooperation on insular and ultra-peripheral issues, on solutions to natural or man-made catastrophes as well as on alleviating the economic effects of handicaps such as very low population density or mountainous conditions.
The total contribution of the ERDF to INTERREG IIIC for 2000-2006 has been set at EUR 295 million. Co-financing will be available at up to 75% of the total cost for partners in Objective 1 regions and up to 50% elsewhere. Priority will be given to the involvement of partners from third countries, especially the candidate countries, or from insular and outermost regions.