Commission adopts Communication on interregional co-operation projects
The European Commission has adopted a communication on the implementation of strand C of the INTERREG III Community Initiative. The communication provides detailed guidelines to help the Member States and regions to prepare proposals for European support for actions in the field of interregional co-operation during the period 2000-06. Operations will deal with a range of subjects, specifically research, technological development and small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs); the information society; tourism; culture and employment; entrepreneurship and the environment. The Commission also underlined the importance of several additional subjects, which it would hope to see addressed under INTERREG IIIC. These include maritime and coastal co-operation, co-operation on insular and ultra-peripheral issues and on solutions to natural or man-made catastrophes. One of the priorities for co-operation is the dissemination of lessons learned under the Innovative Actions programmes supported by the European Union. The aim of INTERREG IIIC is to promote the development of networks between actors in different regions and in that way to promote the development of networks between actors in different regions, thus promoting the pooling of ideas and exchanges of experience on all matters relating to regional development. Co-operation with regions in non-Member States is also included. The EU's total allowance for INTERREG IIIC for 2000-2006 is set at 295 million euro (1999 prices). Presenting the Communication, Michel Barnier, European Commissioner for regional policy said 'INTERREG IIIC helps regions and peoples to come together to create new opportunities and to solve common problems. Through networking, regions with a great diversity of experience can exchange ideas on a wide range of matters that concern the quality of life of their citizens. [...] INTERREG IIIC gives the less prosperous regions the chance to learn from the success of more prosperous ones. It should also assist the Union's island and outermost regions to network among themselves and with the rest of Europe.' Three types of projects will be financed under the programme: -Regional framework operations Proposals consisting of several smaller projects. A regional framework operation would be prepared and submitted by a group of regions, who would each be supported by a partnership of organisations from within each region. -Individual interregional co-operation projects Aimed at exchanging experience on methodology and project-based activities, and assisting with their implementation in the regions. -Networks Aimed at bringing together regions inside and outside of the EU to discuss and exchange views on project implementation methods and development. A project proposal will be submitted by the lead partner of the project to the programme in whose territory the lead partner is located. Selected operations will be co-financed entirely from the lead partner's programme. Co-financing will be available at up to 75 per cent of the total cost for partners in Objective 1 regions, and up to 50 per cent elsewhere. The involvement of partners from third countries, particularly the candidate countries, or from insular and outermost regions will be given priority in the project selection process.