Projects typically focus on regional innovation, sustainable communities, transport and environmental initiatives. Joint product and systems development is a key feature of the projects, as is exchanging best-practice concepts. These funds are often used as a strategic tool to profile regions at EU level as well as develop new ways of working with regions and sectors across Europe.
The East of Scotland is eligible for four mainstream Programmes:
- North West Europe IVB;
- North Sea IVB;
- Northern Periphery IVB (Moray only) and
- Interregional Cooperation IVC (EU wide).
In addition there are two network programmes, ESPON and URBACT, which have an EU-wide coverage.
North West Europe supports joint projects focusing on transnational cooperation that benefit from working across regions to achieve sustainable territorial development. The North West Region comprises of Ireland, the UK, France, Belgium and areas of Germany and the Netherlands.
The North Sea Programme supports projects focusing on transnational cooperation in seven countries around the North Sea. The areas in the region share many of the same problems and challenges and by working together and sharing knowledge and experiences a sustainable and balanced future will be secured for the whole region. The North Sea Region comprises areas of Sweden, Denmark, Germany, The Netherlands, the Flemish Region of Belgium, UK and Norway.
INTERREG IVC Programme supports projects that focus on interregional cooperation between regional and other public authorities across the entire EU territory and neighbouring countries. It allows regions without joint borders to work together in common projects and develop networks of co-operation.
The Northern Periphery Programme provides supoprt to transnational cooperation projects that seek to address common issues faced by remote and peripheral areas from the North Periphery area. The Northern Periphery comprises areas of the Highlands & Islands of Scotland (Moray Council is only East of Scotland eligible area), Northern Finland. Northern Sweden, the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Iceland.
A short fact sheet outlining the priorities for the Programmes is available to download.