Communication from the Commission to the Member States of 7 May 2001 — "Interregional cooperation" — Strand C of the Interreg III Community initiative — Commission communication C(2001) 1188 final
Date: 2001-05-15
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU initiative, EU programme, Structural Funds, regional cooperation

C 141/2

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

15.5.2001

Communication from the Commission to the Member States

of 7 May 2001

(cid:145)INTERREGIONAL COOPERATION(cid:146)

Strand C of the Interreg III Community initiative

Commission communication C(2001) 1188 final

(2001/C 141/02)

I. Introduction

1. This communication sets out the method of implementing
cooperation activities under the interregional strand of the
Interreg III Community initiative for the period 2000-2006
(Interreg III C).

7.

2. The Commission considers that interregional cooperation
offers an additional dimension to the field of cooperation
activity over and above that provided by cross-border and
transnational
allows non-contiguous
regions to enter into contact and to build up relationships,
leading to exchanges of experience and networking which
will assist the balanced, harmonious and sustainable devel-
opment of the European Union and of third countries.

programmes.

It

3. Over recent years, the regions have played an increasingly
important role within Europe, in particular in bringing the
activities of the European Union closer to the citizen. It is
therefore natural that they should also do so in the context
of
Interreg III C. While interregional cooperation will
continue to be based on concrete projects and networks,
the Commission believes that regional authorities should
become more involved in defining the framework for such
cooperation and playing a more active part in it.

4. The Commission welcomes

the support of

the other
European institutions for continuing interregional coop-
In their opinions on the new Community
eration.
initiatives,
the
Committee of the Regions have welcomed the inclusion
of
the interregional strand under Interreg III and have
stressed the importance that they attach to this type of
cooperation.

European Parliament

both the

and

II. Aims, general principles and added value of

inter-

regional cooperation

5. The objective of interregional cooperation, as set out in
(hereafter
point 17 of
referred to as (cid:145)the guidelines(cid:146))
is to (cid:145)improve the effec-
tiveness of policies and instruments for regional devel-
opment and cohesion(cid:146).

the guidelines for Interreg III (1)

6. In order to fulfil this objective, the Commission proposes
that Interreg III C should operate as a general framework
interregional cooperation activity with a view to
for
linking and promoting exchanges of experience and best
practice from the types of activity supported under

Objective 1 and 2 programmes, the Interreg Community
the URBAN Community initiative and urban
initiative,
development, and the future regional
innovative actions
programmes.

Interreg III C should encourage regional and other public
authorities, whether eligible for structural funds support or
to view interregional cooperation as a means of
not,
enhancing their development
to the
through access
In this way, the added value of
experiences of others.
in the
individual
the
different regions can be expanded throughout Europe.

fund interventions

structural

integrate lessons learnt

8. Therefore, the regions should be given the possibility to
introduce a more strategic approach to interregional coop-
eration, exploring how exchanges of experience can be
used to address weaknesses,
in
regional programmes and also improve the quality of the
assistance provided under the structural funds, especially
Objective 1 and 2 programmes. The participation of
regional and other public authorities in Interreg III C
in this way, create a more stable structure for
should,
cooperation,
leading to more and higher quality joint
projects in the future and creating synergy between best
practice and exchange of experience actions and the main-
stream structural funds programmes.

9. The guidelines

a programme-based
already propose
Interreg III C within
approach for the management of
larger programme areas. However,
that
is important
it
the strategic approach described above leads to a degree
of programming being implemented within programmes at
level. The Commission wishes to favour
the regional
structured,
rather
interregional
than a series of one-off projects. This communication
explains how this two-stage programming will work and
sets out the topics which can be covered.

cooperation,

coherent

III. The legislative framework

10. Article 20 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999
(hereafter referred to as (cid:145)the General Regulation(cid:146)),
laying
down general provisions on the structural funds (2), states
that one of the fields of the Community initiatives shall be
(cid:145)cross-border, transnational and interregional cooperation
intended to encourage the harmonious, balanced and
sustainable development of the whole of the Community
area(cid:146).

(1) OJ C 143, 23.5.2000.

(2) OJ L 161, 26.6.1999.

15.5.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 141/3

11. The guidelines state that there will be a specific strand of
Interreg III aimed at improving regional development and
cohesion policies and techniques through interregional
cooperation.

18.

12. This communication develops the information provided in
the guidelines and sets out the Commission’s proposals for
implementing this strand.

In particular, Article 20 of the General Regulation states
that due attention should be given to improved coop-
eration with the Phare, Tacis and MEDA programmes.
Although coordination has proved difficult in the past,
due to the effects of differences in the various adminis-
trative practices and financial regulations, the Commission
has decided to take steps to improve coherence. The Phare
review represents a first example of this work where the
moves towards the decentralisation of the administration
should lead to a more pro-active role for the regions in the
future, thus assisting their involvement with Interreg (2).

IV. Past experience

13. Over recent years, interregional cooperation has become
an increasingly important part of the Union’s structural
policy. At present, a large number of interregional coop-
eration projects (1) are being implemented. Most of these
projects will only be completed in 2002 and it is therefore
too early to draw definitive conclusions about the results.
However, it is clear that they have attracted great interest
and it is generally accepted that they are of high political
importance. European regions all
face socioeconomic
problems, in particular the impact of the globalisation of
the economy.
Interregional cooperation projects have
helped them to address these new challenges by drawing
on the experience of other
facing the same
problems and finding common solutions.

regions

14. Building on the positive results obtained by interregional
cooperation, the Commission wishes to encourage a more
strategic approach as described in section II of
this
communication. Consequently,
the Commission believes
that
introducing a more programmed approach would
produce a greater degree of coherence, not only within
interregional cooperation but also within the Interreg III
Community
a
programmed approach would help to improve monitoring
and evaluation processes and simplify the administrative
procedures involved in project implementation.

Furthermore,

a whole.

initiative

as

V. Eligible areas

15. All of the territory of the European Union is eligible for

co-financing by the ERDF under Interreg III C.

VI. Participation of third countries

16. The Commission would like to see as wide a participation
as possible from third countries, especially the candidate
countries. Consequently, the involvement of third country
partners in an Interreg III C operation should be given
appropriate attention in the selection process.

17. Financing for third country partners may be provided from
their own resources or, where appropriate, through the
relevant European Union funding source (e.g. Phare,
Tacis, CARDS, MEDA, EDF)
in line with the funding
rules for each source.

(1) Including innovative actions of

funds (RIS/RITTS;
RISI; TERRA; Recite; ECOS-Ouverture, Urban Development) as
well as projects under the (cid:145)Promotion of innovation and encour-
agement of SMEs participation programme(cid:146) (1998-2002) of the fifth
RTD framework programme.

the structural

19. With regard to the travel and subsistence expenses of
partners from outside the European Union, these can be
eligible costs for an operation when the meeting or
seminar takes place in the European Union and is part
of an approved operation.

VII. Involvement of insular and outermost regions

20. Due attention should be given to the involvement of both
the insular and the outermost regions in interregional
cooperation actions, as indicated in point 19 of
the
Interreg III guidelines. Consequently, such involvement
should be given priority in the selection process.

VIII. Topics for cooperation

21. As noted above,

that

the Commission believes

inter-
regional cooperation actions can contribute to the efforts
of the mainstream and Community initiative programmes
to promote cohesion and strengthen regional competi-
tiveness. Accordingly, Interreg III C should be seen as a
vehicle for promoting European interregional cooperation
in the types of activities supported under the new regional
and cohesion policies (3), in structural funds Objective 1
and 2 and Interreg programmes, as well as the URBAN
Community initiative and urban development activities
and the regional
thus
contributing to their overall
improvement and adding
value to the European Union’s regional policy as a whole.

innovative actions programmes,

22. Based on this position, the five topics for interregional

cooperation for 2000-2006 are as follows:

(a) Activities

supported under Objective 1 and 2 of

the

structural funds

94 % of structural fund expenditure is targeted through
the mainstream objective programmes. However, this

(2) Commission communication C(2000) 3103.
(3) See the Commission communication (cid:145)The structural funds and their
coordination with the cohesion fund (cid:151) guidelines for programmes(cid:146),
COM(1999) 344 final.

C 141/4

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

15.5.2001

currently limited opportunities

expenditure tends to be focused on the regional level
and there are
to
exchange
information and experience with other
regions in Europe. This topic is intended to address
this issue by promoting direct cooperation between
public authorities or equivalent bodies across Europe
on the types of projects supported in Objective 1 and
2 programmes.

Partners would not need to be located in Objective 1
or 2 regions, but would have to be involved, or be
interested in becoming involved,
in the types of
under Objective 1 and 2
activities
programmes. Operations
on
be
exchanges of experience in general or on the dissemi-
nation of results from successful projects.

supported

based

could

(b) Interregional

authorities
cooperation linking public
equivalent bodies involved in other Interreg programmes

or

The aim of
this topic is to enable exchanges of
experience and networking among border areas and
among transnational areas. Actions can cover coop-
eration on cross-border and transnational activities,
where a wider degree of cooperation would be
beneficial. Actions could also focus on the implemen-
tation dimension of Interreg programmes (for example
to examine
networking among several
procedures and operational structures).

secretariats

This topic is limited to public authorities or equivalent
bodies
Interreg
involved in current or previous
programmes.

(c) Interregional cooperation in the field of urban development

supported under

Urban development is currently one of the key regional
In addition to the targeted
policy issues in Europe.
actions
the URBAN Community
initiative and the mainstream objective programmes,
that wider cooperation
the Commission considers
actions related to urban development
issues should
be encouraged. As a result, this topic will encourage
the dissemination of urban development practices
through concrete exchange of experience actions,
including best practice ideas concerning implemen-
tation, and the diffusion of project ideas and results.

This topic is open to all cities and urban areas,
including small and medium-sized towns. Nevertheless,
priority should be given to those proposals which
contain at
least one city or urban area receiving
funding from structural funds programmes.

(d) Interregional cooperation linking regions involved under one
innovative

the three themes of

the regional

or several of
actions for 2000-2006 (1)

The three priorities of
2000-2006 are:

the innovative actions

for

(cid:151) regional economy based on knowledge and tech-

nological innovation,

(cid:151) e-EuropeRegio:

the

information

society

and

regional development,

(cid:151) regional identity and sustainable development.

Each regional
innovative actions programme will
contain a
strategy agreed between the different
for defining innovative measures.
regional players
This strategy will constitute the framework for the
implementation of individual projects, the transfer of
results
to programmes under Objectives 1 or 2
co-financed by the ERDF in the regions concerned
and the exchange of experiences between regions.
The strategy may be based on one of
the three
priorities, or on a combination of these priorities, in
order to meet the needs of each region as fully as
possible.

Building on the contents of their individual innovative
action programmes, regions may propose cooperation
actions in order to transfer and implement successful
project ideas to other regions.

As networking actions can be supported through the
regional
innovative action programmes and through
the programme (cid:145)Promotion of innovation and encour-
agement of SME participation(cid:146) (2), Interreg III C cannot
support networking as described in point 26(c) below
under this topic.

(e) Other subjects appropriate to interregional cooperation

The Commission underlines
the importance of a
number of other subjects which could be addressed
Interreg III C. These include maritime and
under
spatial planning issues, coop-
coastal cooperation,

(1) As defined in the Commission communication (cid:145)The regions and the
new economy(cid:146) (cid:151) guidelines for innovative actions under the ERDF
2000-2006 (COM(2001) 60).

(2) The (cid:145)Promotion of innovation and encouragement of SME partici-
pation(cid:146) programme supports networking of regions which are
developing regional
innovation strategies. These activities are
carried out in complementarity to Interreg III C and the (cid:145)Regional
innovative actions for 2000-2006(cid:146) programme.

15.5.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 141/5

issues, on
eration on insular and ultra-peripheral
to natural or man-made catastrophes as
solutions
well
effects of
handicaps such as very low population density or
mountainous conditions.

as on alleviating the

economic

In addition, other subjects which are appropriate for
interregional cooperation could be addressed, including
the guidelines,
the subjects set out
namely
and
technological
SMEs; the information society; tourism; culture and
employment; entrepreneurship and the environment.

in point 19 of

development

research,

IX. Submission and content of programmes

23. The programme areas for Interreg III C are set out in

Annex A.

24.

peculiar

Interreg III C programmes will be prepared as
a
Community initiative operational programme and their
content will be, as far as possible, similar to that of the
single programming documents described in Article 19(3)
of the General Regulation, adjusted to meet the needs and
cooperation.
circumstances
cooperation under
Proposals
Interreg III C must be submitted to the Commission by
the Member States concerned in the form of a programme.
The Member States participating in a programme must
designate the Managing Authority, the Paying Authority
and the (Joint) Technical Secretariat and establish a clear
repartition of tasks and responsibilities (as described in
point 25 of the guidelines.)

concerning interregional

interregional

to

Given the expertise that secretariats for Interreg trans-
national (strand B) programmes have already built up, it
would appear logical that such secretariats could also act
as the secretariats for Interreg interregional programmes.
Secretariats should be located, as far as is possible, in close
geographical proximity to the relevant managing authority.

The Commission will ensure that, as far as possible, the
implement a homogeneous approach to
secretariats will
programme
of
and
applications. The Commission will assist with coordination
in this regard.

procedures

treatment

the

to

Member State’s allocation to each programme should be
made on the basis of the proportion of its population in
each programme area.

When the Commission approves each programme, it will
grant a single contribution from the ERDF without
financial breakdown by Member State.

The content that each Interreg III C programme will need
to contain is set out in Annex B.

Programmes and priorities covering Interreg III C will have
to include all the topics set out in section VIII of this
inter-
communication in order to offer a full range of
regional cooperation possibilities to all interested parties.

25. Interreg III C should be consistent with the other
the information
Community policies such as research,
transport, energy,
the environment,
society, enterprise,
rural development
(common agricultural policy), equal
opportunities and competition. These are described in
the
in
2000-2006 (1). The funding of operations may not be
duplicated
financial
instruments.

internal Community

programmes

Commission

guidelines

other

for

by

X. Types of operation

26. Three kinds of operations, as set out below, may be
financed under Interreg III C programmes. The Member
States may decide to use the same or different aid rates
for the partners in an operation. However, the maximum
aid rates, as laid down in Article 29(3) of the General
Regulation must be respected.

(a) Regional

framework operation: A regional

framework
operation is aimed at exchanging experience on
methodology and project-based activities among a
group of regions. The goal
is to produce a clear
strategic approach to interregional cooperation for
the partners, which will allow them to develop a
process of exchange and learning, which can grow
over
framework
Each
operation should address a limited range of subjects
thus ensuring
relevant
that interregional cooperation activity is better inte-
grated into the economic, social and territorial devel-
opment of the participating areas.

to the regions participating,

long-term.

regional

the

should

committee

and
steering
each programme

be
A monitoring
constituted for
in line with the
requirements of the General Regulation and the Interreg
III guidelines. The monitoring committee may undertake
the tasks of
the steering committee. The monitoring
committee should normally comprise of representatives
of all of the Member States of the programme area.

its
Each Member State will allocate a proportion of
allocation to each III C
Interreg
programme
a
is participating. Where
Member State participates in more than one Interreg III
that
C programme,

III C financial
in which it

the Commission recommends that

A regional framework operation should cover a limited
number of smaller projects. Each regional framework
operation should be prepared by a group of regional
authorities or equivalent regional bodies in a number
three countries of
of regions from a minimum of
which at
two must be Member States. The
regional framework operation should be submitted by
a lead partner on behalf of the group to the managing
authority of the programme in which the lead partner
is located.

least

(1) Commission communication (cid:145)The structural funds and their coor-
dination with the cohesion fund (cid:151) guidelines for programmes(cid:146),
COM(1999) 344 final.

C 141/6

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

15.5.2001

Each partner should be supported by a regional part-
nership. The regional partnership would consist of the
authorities and organisations in each region with a role
to play in the regional framework operation.

A regional framework operation should include:

(cid:151) an interregional cooperation strategy covering the

participating regions,

(cid:151) the objectives and expected results of the operation,

(cid:151) a focus on a limited number of subjects where

cooperation is particularly justified,

(cid:151) a description of

the types of projects that
regional framework operation would support,

the

(cid:151) the number of partners and other participants,

(cid:151) the division of funding between the partners (not

more than 40 % for the lead partner),

(cid:151) the intervention rates,

(cid:151) assessment criteria for internal project approval.

A more detailed list of requirements for a regional
framework operation is set out in Annex C.

Since the regional framework operation is a new type
of action, the Commission recommends that no region
should participate in more than two such operations
under Interreg III C until the mid term reviews of the
programmes have been completed.

The total ERDF contribution for a regional framework
operation may normally be between EUR 500 000
and EUR 5 million. Indicative assessment criteria for
regional framework operations are set out in Annex D.

On an indicative basis, 50 % to 80 % of the funding
under each Interreg III C programme should be
allocated to regional framework operations.

Regional framework operations can cover all the topics
described in point 22.

(b) Individual

interregional

exchanging

experience

cooperation project: aimed at
and

on methodology

is not merely a
project-based activities. The goal
transfer of knowledge, but genuine cooperation on
the realisation of various parts of the project, with a
significant added value to the project partners and
other participants. The implantation of project results
from one region into another with a clear impact in
the recipient region would be one concrete effect of
such a project.

Projects should involve partners from a minimum of
three countries of which at least two must be Member
States. Not more than 40 % can go to the lead partner
and the total ERDF contribution may normally be
between EUR 200 000 and EUR 1 000 000.

On an indicative basis, 10 % to 30 % of the funding
under each Interreg III C programme should be
allocated
cooperation
projects.

interregional

individual

to

Individual interregional cooperation projects can cover
all the topics described in point 22.

(c) Networks: which aim to link the various regions inside
and outside the European Union on project implemen-
tation methods and development.

on

pass

such as

study trips

related to actions

Only costs
seminars,
and
conferences, websites, databases,
exchange of staff, all in order to exchange experience
and
considered.
expertise, might
Networking should lead to concrete results, which
can be evaluated and disseminated. All networking
actions should have detailed work programmes, indi-
cating the tasks to be carried out and the expected
outcomes.

be

On an indicative basis, 10 % to 20 % of the funding
under each Interreg III C programme should be
allocated to networks.

five
A network must have partners from at
three must be Member
least
countries of which at
States. The ERDF contribution may normally be
between EUR 200 000 and EUR 1 million. All
the
aid will be paid to and managed by the lead partner
of the network.

least

Networking can cover all the topics described in point
22 with the exception of those related to point 22(d)
which, as indicated, can be covered elsewhere.

15.5.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 141/7

27. For regional framework operations, the partners must be

regional authorities or equivalent regional bodies.

partners located in their Member State who are partici-
pating in an Interreg III C operation.

regional

framework operation,

For individual cooperation projects, networks and projects
funded within a
the
partners must be public authorities or equivalent bodies
with the requisite capacity for administration and financial
management of public funds. Examples include regional
(particularly for the urban
authorities, city authorities,
development
regional development agencies
competent to manage public funds. Private partners can
funded within a regional
also participate in projects
authority
public
framework
concerned provides the necessary guarantees to ensure
the proper management of public funds.

operation where

topic) or

the

28. Within each programme, at least 75 % of the ERDF allo-
cation must support operations with at least one partner
from outside the area covered by the programme (1).

individual

framework operations,

Regional
interregional
cooperation projects and networks can only be financed
under one Interreg III programme. To avoid similar
operations being submitted simultaneously by the same
group of partners under different programmes with a
different lead partner, a common database will be estab-
lished.

XI. Financial

and

administrative management

of

programmes

29. Interreg III C programmes will have to operate under the
same rules and conditions as
strand A and B
programmes of Interreg III, with due account taken of
In particular, a clear
the particularities of
strand C.
division of
for management, payment,
control and selection of projects will need to be set out,
addressing administrative and financial duties.

responsibilities

for

30. Each programme must include a description of a system of
financial management permitting a transfer from the ERDF
respective national
(and preferably
also
co-financing sources)
each
account
programme and the rapid and transparent forwarding of
joint
finance
this
an
arrangements may,
for
agreement between the
the
countries participating in the programme.

include
authorities of

from the
to a

beneficiaries. The

this
various

purpose,

to the

single

final

for

31. Each Member State shall nominate a body which will be
responsible for the financial control of partners located in
their country who are participating in an Interreg III C
these bodies shall receive from the
operation. Each of
managing authority of each programme details of those

(1) This gives

the opportunity to
cooperate amongst each other within the same programme area.

islands and outermost

regions

the management and control of

32. A description of the specific arrangements and procedures
the programme,
for
financial
setting out
management, payment and control,
in accordance with
Articles 38 and 39 of the General Regulation, must also
be included in each programme.

responsibilities

the various

for

XII. Financial

and

administrative management

of

operations

33. Operations will be submitted by the lead partner (who will
be chosen by the partners themselves) to the programme
in whose territory he is located. The location of the other
partners
therefore has no bearing on the choice of
programme managing authority to whom to submit the
proposal. Selected operations will be co-financed entirely
from the programme which received the proposal.

34. The relationships between the Commission, the Member
States and the managing and paying authorities of Interreg
III C programmes are the same as for other structural
funds programmes (see, inter alia, Articles 9, 34, 38 and
39 of
the General Regulation). Further details are also
provided in the draft regulation laying down detailed
rules for the application of Council Regulation (EC) No
1260/99 regarding the management and control systems
for assistance granted under the structural funds.

35. The partners of regional

to the paying authority of

framework operations will be
regional authorities or equivalent regional bodies with
them acting as lead partner. The lead partner
one of
would be responsible for collating payment
requests
from the other partners and submitting a single payment
the programme.
request
Payments could be made from the paying authority
directly to the partners
framework
operation, on the request of
the lead partner. The
partners would then be responsible for paying the
project participants in their region. Each partner would
take responsibility for
financial management, payment
and control in their own region.

regional

in the

36. The partners in an individual

interregional cooperation
project will be public authorities or equivalent public
bodies with one of them acting as lead partner. Funding
for individual interregional cooperation projects should be
allocated to the lead partner and payments would be made
only to the lead partner. The lead partner would be
responsible for distributing payments among the other
partners in the project.

C 141/8

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

15.5.2001

37. For networks,

funding should be

allocated to the
responsible organisation of
the network and payments
from the programme would be made only to the
responsible organisation. This organisation, a regional or
other public authority or equivalent body, would take full
responsibility
the
the
networking operation.
It would pay the network costs
for seminars, conferences, websites, databases, study trips,
exchange of staff and (travel) expenses related to exchange
of experiences, etc, to participants directly.

financial management of

for

the

benefit of

Partners in an operation funded under Interreg III C should
consider
an agreement
concerning their mutual financial and legal responsibilities,
including the functions and responsibilities of
the lead
partner.

concluding

XIV. Monitoring and evaluation

39. Each programme must include a description of the systems
for joint monitoring and evaluation, including the role of
the Monitoring Committee (see point 28 of the guidelines);
as foreseen in Article 36(1) of the General Regulation, the
competent authorities will define monitoring indicators for
the collection of monitoring data and for the preparation
of evaluations.

40. Mid-term evaluations of all programmes will be conducted
in accordance with Article 42 of the General Regulation.
the
In the light of
Commission may propose amendments to the eligible
topics for interregional cooperation.

these evaluations,

the results of

XV. Other matters

41. Any correspondence about

this notice,

including draft

XIII. Technical assistance in Interreg III C programmes

programmes, should be sent to:

38. Provision for technical assistance within Interreg III C
programmes must follow the rules and conditions for eligi-
bility of technical assistance costs, as set out in rule 11 of
Commission Regulation (EC) No 1685/2000 concerning
eligibility of expenditure of operations co-financed by the
structural funds (1).

(1) OJ L 193, 29.7.2000.

Mr Guy Crauser
Director General
Directorate-General for Regional Policy
European Commission
Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 200
B-1049 Brussels.

ANNEX A

PROGRAMMING AREAS

Programme

Member State

Eligible areas

SOUTH ZONE

Italy

Piemonte, Lombardia, Liguria, Toscana, Umbria, Lazio,
Campania, Sardegna, Basilicata, Calabria, Sicilia, Valle
d’Aosta

Greece

Dytiki Ellada, Peloponnisos, Voreio Aigaio, Notio Aigaio,
Kriti, Ionia Nisia, Sterea Ellada, Attiki

Portugal

Whole country

Spain

France

Whole country

Aquitaine,
Midi-PyrØnØes,
Languedoc-Roussillon, Poitou-Charentes, PACA, Rh(cid:244)ne-
Alpes, Corse, Guyane, Guadeloupe, Martinique, RØunion

Auvergne,

Limousin,

United Kingdom

Gibraltar

15.5.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 141/9

Programme

Member State

Eligible areas

NORTH-WEST ZONE

France

Nord-Pas de Calais, Picardie, Haute-Normandie,
˛le de
France, Basse-Normandie, Centre, Champagne-Ardennes,
Lorraine, Bourgogne, Alsace, Franche-ComtØ, Bretagne,
Pays de la Loire

Belgium

Whole country

Netherlands

Whole country

Luxembourg

Whole country

Germany

Nordrhein-Westfalen, Hessen, Rheinland-Pfalz, Saarland,
Baden-W(cid:252)rttemberg

United Kingdom

Whole country (except Gibraltar)

Ireland

Whole country

NORTH-EAST ZONE

Denmark

Whole country

EAST ZONE

Germany

Sweden

Finland

Austria

Germany

Italy

Greece

Niedersachsen, Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg, Bremen,
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

Whole country

Whole country

Whole country

Bayern, Sachsen, Sachsen-Anhalt, Berlin, Brandenburg,
Th(cid:252)ringen

Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Veneto, Trentino-Alto Adige, Emilia-
Romagna, Puglia, Molise, Abruzzo, Marche

Anatoliki Makedonia, Thraki, Kentriki Makedonia, Dytiki
Makedonia, Thessalia, Ipeiros

ANNEX B

Information to be provided in an Interreg III C programme

Interreg III C programmes will be prepared as a Community initiative operational programme and their content will be,
as far as possible, similar to that of a single programming document (as described in Art. 19(3) of the General
Regulation), adjusted to meet the needs and circumstances peculiar to interregional cooperation. The programmes
drawn up in this way will be submitted to the Commission by the national authorities of
the Member States
concerned by each programme.

(cid:151) Programme objectives

The general objectives will be common to all programmes (see point 6). The operations under strand C programmes
cover the whole EU and are not specific to an individual programming area.

(cid:151) Eligible area

Cooperation is not limited to partners within the same programme area. However, a project can only be submitted
under a programme when its (cid:145)lead partner(cid:146) is located in that area, even though partners can come from other
regions outside the programme area (see Annex A).

C 141/10

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

15.5.2001

(cid:151) Content of the programme

Contrary to the case for Interreg III A and III B, Interreg III C programmes will not include priorities or measures.
There will be only two types of item, (cid:145)operations(cid:146) and (cid:145)technical assistance(cid:146), with operations broken down as shown
below.

(cid:151) The three types of operations will be common to all programmes (point 26):

(a) regional framework operations;

(b) individual interregional cooperation projects;

(c) networks.

(cid:151) All the topics for cooperation will be included in all programmes (see point 22):

(a) interregional cooperation on activities supported under Objective 1 and 2 of the structural funds;

(b) interregional cooperation linking public authorities or equivalent bodies involved in other Interreg programmes;

(c) interregional cooperation in the field of urban development;

(d) interregional cooperation linking regions involved under the three themes of the regional innovative actions for

2000-2006;

(e) other subjects appropriate for interregional cooperation.

They can apply to each type of operation defined above with the exception that networks cannot be funded under
topic (d). Operations presented through these topics can focus on a range of subjects which are appropriate for
interregional cooperation.

(cid:151) Main target groups

(cid:151) Compliance with Community legislation

(cid:151) Information and publicity measures

(cid:151) Indicative financial plan, without breakdown by Member State, but broken down by year. It will only include two
items, (cid:145)operations(cid:146) (divided in accordance with the percentages indicated for each type of operation in point 26) and
(cid:145)technical assistance(cid:146). Technical assistance will be divided into two categories, in accordance with eligibility rule No
11 (1).

(cid:151) Provisions for implementing the programme (see points 29-31, 33, 38):

(a) a managing authority;

(b) a paying authority;

(c) a joint technical secretariat;

(d) a monitoring committee (and a steering committee, if necessary);

(e) a description of the arrangements for managing the programme, including a description of the responsibilities

and systems for joint monitoring and evaluation;

(f)

the description of a system of financial management, payment and control. The system will permit a transfer
from the ERDF (and preferably also from the respective national co-financing arrangements) to a single account
for each programme and the rapid and transparent forwarding of this finance to the final beneficiaries;

(g) information on the resources required for technical assistance divided in accordance with eligibility rule No 11.

A draft programme complement, which is subject to the approval of the monitoring committee, should be sent for
information to the Commission, if possible in parallel with the submitted programme. The programme complement
should contain the normal information required for a programme complement, where such information is relevant to
interregional cooperation. This includes a description of the mechanisms and procedures for the joint selection of
operations and also indicative assessment criteria for operations, which should normally be common to all programmes
(see Annex D). At this stage, it will not be required to present quantified monitoring indicators. These will, however,
have to be developed when a sufficient number of applications have been approved and in any case will have to be
provided in the annual report.

(1) Commission Regulation No 1685/2000 concerning eligibility of expenditure of operations co-financed by the structural funds (OJ

L 193, 29.7.2000).

15.5.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 141/11

Information to be provided in proposals for a regional framework operation

ANNEX C

Regional framework operation proposals should contain the following information to help the Programme Steering
Committee decide on a contribution from the ERDF budget for a regional framework operation. Proposals should not
exceed 20-25 pages as a rule.

Introduction

A brief description of the regions, identifying their particular strengths and weaknesses and the opportunities and
threats to development.

Content

A description of the proposed operation, its scope including geographic coverage, its specific aims, its duration and the
composition of the partnership involved in preparing the regional framework operation proposal.

(cid:151) Objectives and expected results (quantified if possible),

(cid:151) a description of the interregional strategy to promote cooperation targeting a limited number of subjects,

(cid:151) the subjects for cooperation,

(cid:151) a description of the types of projects to be funded (studies, pilot projects, strategic planning, participation in

networks, etc.),

(cid:151) the number of partners and other participants,

(cid:151) the division of financing among regions (not more than 40 % for the lead partner) and the justification for the

division and the total budget,

(cid:151) a detailed workplan and timetable for the implementation of the operation,

(cid:151) a description of the potential influence of the regional framework operation on other structural funds programmes

co-financed by the ERDF,

(cid:151) compatibility and synergy with other Community policies,

(cid:151) indicative project selection criteria,

(cid:151) procedures and conditions for applications by potential beneficiaries,

(cid:151) main target groups.

Management and implementation

This section should include arrangements for cooperation between the regional authorities responsible for the prep-
aration and implementation of the proposal and the managing authorities for other structural funds programmes
co-financed by the ERDF.

(cid:151) Lead partner to be designated by the partners as the managing body for the operation,

(cid:151) the composition of the Steering Committee which oversees the implementation and monitoring of the operation,

including the selection of projects,

(cid:151) a description of the implementation system,

(cid:151) a description of the financial system,

(cid:151) a description of the control system,

(cid:151) practical arrangements for exchange of information and cooperation between the partners,

(cid:151) monitoring and evaluation provisions.

C 141/12

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

15.5.2001

Financing plan

(cid:151) Total cost: the ERDF contribution and public and private contributions broken down by the subjects to be covered

by the operation,

(cid:151) rate(s) of assistance envisaged for actions (broken down by Objective 1, Objective 2 and non-objective areas where

different rates of assistance are used.)

Partnership

(cid:151) Description of the consultation procedure at the operation drafting stage.

Information and promotion

(cid:151) A description of publicity and information activities to promote the operation.

ANNEX D

Indicative assessment criteria for operations

(cid:151) Expected concrete outputs and results: effects on the modernisation and diversification of the regional economies,

enhanced performance, etc.,

(cid:151) feasibility of the proposal and consistency between the goals set and the resources allocated,

(cid:151) number of partners and other participants,

(cid:151) division of financing among regions and the justification for the division,

(cid:151) involvement of regions outside the lead partners Interreg III C programming area,

(cid:151) involvement of islands and outermost regions,

(cid:151) involvement of third countries,

(cid:151) private sector contribution to the financing of the proposal,

(cid:151) potential influence on other structural funds programmes co-financed by the ERDF,

(cid:151) expected sustainability of the measures when the operation has finished,

(cid:151) synergy and compatibility with other Community policies.

Indicative assessment criteria specifically for regional framework operations

(cid:151) Quality of the proposal, including:

(cid:151) the clarity of the strategic approach,

(cid:151) the necessary targeting on a limited number of subjects,

(cid:151) the objectives of the work programme having regard to the specific requirements of the partners.