Interreg Central Baltic call for proposals will open on 10 February 2022

The Central Baltic programme is a cross-border cooperation programme and one of the Interreg programmes. The aim of the Central Baltic programme projects is to improve the lives of the inhabitants in the Central Baltic cross-border region and bring development and cohesion among the region. The new Interreg Central Baltic Programme 2021-2027 has now been launched. In the next seven years, the programme will invest more than 118 million euros of EU funding in cross-border cooperation projects.

The first call for project proposals will be open from 10 February to 31 March 2022. The deadline is at 12 EET.

All the key information about the first call and applying process is available here.

About the project application:

Interreg Central Baltic funds projects in seven Programme Objectives. Each project must choose one Programme Objective only.

INNOVATIVE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Programme Objective “More exports by SMEs” contributes to the actions of EUSBSR Policy Areas Innovation and Tourism. Potential partners are non-commercial organisations relevant and capable for implementing new market entry projects, for example non-commercial organisations with competence and experience on export and product development, sectoral associations, chambers of commerce or regional development agencies.

Programme Objective “More new scaled-up growth companies” contributes to the actions of EUSBSR Policy Area Innovation. Non-commercial organisations with competence and experience for new business development, product development, internationalisation such as business development organisations, science parks, associations of companies and regional development agencies can be partners.

IMPROVED ENVIRONMENT AND RESOURCE USE

Programme Objective “Joint circular economy solutions” contributes to the actions of EUSBSR Policy Area Bio-economy. Partners can be public and non-profit organisations relevant for the targeted product chains.

Programme Objective “Improved costal and marine environment” contributes to the actions of EUSBSR Policy Areas Nutri and Hazards. Potential partners can be public and non-profit organisations and authorities on national, regional, and local level, as well as private companies relevant for reducing nutrients, toxins and hazardous substances.

Programme Objective “Decreased CO2 emissions” contributes to the actions of EUSBSR Policy Areas Ship and Transport. Potential partners can be public and non-profit organisations and authorities on national, regional and local level, private companies relevant for improving transport nodes/areas and achieving CO2 reductions.

IMPROVED EMLPYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Programme Objective “Improved employment opportunities on labor market” contributes to the actions of EUSBSR Policy Area Education. Potential partners can be public and non-commercial organisations with competence and experience on labour market, organisations representing employees, employers, public authorities, organisations representing disadvantaged groups, and organisations with competence and experience on entrepreneurship development.

IMPROVED PUBLIC SERVICES

Programme Objective “Improved public services and solutions for citizens” is foreseen to contribute to the actions of several EUSBSR Policy Areas. The potential contribution, which will be clarified during assessment, will depend on the focus of the projects. Potential partners can be public sector organisations on local, regional, and national levels.

 

What kind of projects can be funded?

The programme can be implemented through either small or regular projects.

	Small project	Regular project
Budget	Max 213 550 EUR total (including the preparation cost lump sum) Note that if the total project budget remains under 200.000 EUR the project can only choose simplified cost options; such projects cannot apply any real cost	Min 213 551 EUR total Max 4 000 0000 EUR total Max 2 000 000 EUR total/partner
Project duration	Max 1,5 years (18 months)	No set limit, but typically 2-3 years
Application	Only selected parts of the Application Form, less detail required, 1-step application procedure	Full Application Form 2-step application procedure
Reporting	Shorter reporting forms Wide use of Simplified Cost Options	Full reporting form Wide use of Simplified Cost Options
Relevant Programme Objectives	All Programme Objectives, if relevant, but in particular Programme Objective 7	All Programme Objectives

 

Each project must have 1 lead partner and 1 or more project partners. The minimum requirement for projects is to have partners from at least two of the Member States. The partners must be from the participating Member States. If relevant, partners can come outside from the EU Member States programme area.

 Before applying, it is recommended to be in contact with the project related PAC and book project specific consultations to support project development. Project Managers provide in-depth consultations for the projects that are planed to be submitted in the first call.

 

 

Interreg Baltic Sea Region will open a call for proposals on 8 February 2022

The official opening of the call is scheduled for 8 February 2022. The first call provides funding for assistance to the policy area coordinators of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region, core and small projects and assistance to the Strategy point of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region.

 

Assistance to the policy area coordinators of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region: cooperation governance

The Programme provides funding to the policy area coordinators (PACs) to coordinate the policy areas and facilitate implementation of actions defined in the EUSBSR action plan.

The PACs may apply for Programme funding to:

1. Coordinate their policy area of the EUSBSR, and
2. Support project idea generation and development in their policy area of the EUSBSR.

The PACs may apply for the Programme funding amounting

Assistance to PACs:	a. Coordination of the policy area of the EUSBSR	b. Support to project idea generation and development in the policy area of the EUSBSR
PAs: Culture, Education, Energy, Hazards, Health, Nutri, Safe, Secure, Ship, Spatial Planning, Tourism and Transport	up to EUR 234 000 each PA	up to EUR 50 000 each PA
PAs: Bioeconomy and Innovation	up to EUR 315 000 each PA	up to EUR 70 000 each PA

 

The PACs may plan the following activities to be implemented with the Programme funding:

• Ensuring a general overview in the policy areas
• Planning, coordinating and developing the policy areas under the guidance of the respective steering groups
• Facilitating implementation of actions defined in the EUSBSR action plan, including support to projects and other modes of operation
• Analysing needs for policy changes and improvements in relevant thematic areas
• Initiating and coordinating policy discussions and other cooperation activities
• Involving stakeholders relevant for the policy areas, including local, regional and national authorities, agencies and businesses as well as civil society groups
• Building up networks and engaging stakeholders in the processes in the policy areas in a systematic way
• Addressing common priorities of the EU and partner countries in the respective thematic areas
• Monitoring progress and evaluating whether agreed targets in the policy areas are reached
• Reviewing objectives in the work plan of the policy area, processes, actions and results, amending and updating them in consultation with the PA steering group
• Communicating progress, achievements and results in the policy areas
• Other tasks in line with the action plan of the EUSBSR.

In addition to the funding for coordination of the policy areas, the PACs may apply for additional funding to work on project idea generation in the relevant thematic areas. The PACs may plan the following activities to be implemented with the Programme funding:

• Analysing needs for project idea generation and development in a particular area in line with the actions of the policy areas in the EUSBSR action plan
•  Providing information on focus of project ideas to be generated and developed in the policy areas
• Attracting and engaging relevant stakeholders for developing project ideas in line with the actions in the policy areas
• Facilitating generation of project ideas and interaction among stakeholders
• Supporting stakeholders in developing their project ideas
• Communicating and interacting with authorities managing EU and other funds relevant for project ideas to be developed in the policy areas

The PACs should involve their steering groups in defining tasks and activities of PACs when developing project applications. The PACs need to describe the role of the steering group of their policy area in these activities.

The PACs need to plan the process and activities how they support generation of project ideas and development of projects according to the needs in their policy area. They may plan various activities and deliverables in the projects to be co-financed by the Programme.

The PACs have to provide their own contribution to receive Programme funding. They are entitled to receive up to 80% co-financing from ERDF (European Regional Development Fund). For advice on the Programme matters please contact at e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

More about the funding.

 

Core and small projects: innovative, waters-smart & climate-neutral societies

The official opening of the call is scheduled for 8 February 2022. Although before that, from December 2021, all applicants interested in core or small projects are invited to submit their Project Idea Forms (PIF) in the prelaunch phase. PIF is an obligatory step in applying for funding.

Project Idea Forms can be delivered to the Managing Authority/Joint Secretariat via e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., In the same e-mail applicants can request an individual online consultation. Trough consultations, it is possible to provide more detailed information about the thematic scope of the new Programme objectives as well as technicalities related to project types and financial matters. During the consultation, applicants will receive tailored feedback.

Find more information about consultation here. 

 

Assistance to a Strategy point of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region: cooperation governance

The Programme provides funding to the Strategy point for its administrative and technical support for the EUSBSR management, communication, coordination and capacity building as well as for stimulating exchange and sharing knowledge among the policy areas, including cooperation with the partner countries.

The partners applying for the Strategy point should plan the following activities to be implemented with the Programme funding:

1. Administrative tasks

• Ensuring technical support to the EUSBSR NC group and, where possible, to the policy area coordinators of the EUSBSR
• Serving as the institutional memory of the EUSBSR
• Providing the Presidency of the NC group and the National Coordinators with relevant information regarding all relevant EUSBSR activities and activities of other macro-regional strategies and publishing them on the EUSBSR website
• Participating in the monitoring and evaluation of the EUSBSR in cooperation with the relevant services of the European Commission
• Providing support for the NCs in organising events such as the Annual Forums, meetings with the PACs, networks of managing authorities and other relevant institutions or groups

2. Communication tasks

• Coordinating the overall communication activities of the EUSBSR
• Implementing and developing the existing EUSBSR communication plan to be endorsed by the NC group
• Running the EUSBSR webpage and the webpage of the networks of managing authorities – hosting, maintenance
• Running supportive services – e.g. publications, brochures, social media, newsletter, information about the policy area coordinators, success stories, etc.
• Helping the PACs as per action plan of the EUSBSR
• Supporting the EUSBSR stakeholders in building stronger ties between the EUSBSR and other relevant actors through internal and external communication

3. Coordination of the EUSBSR cross-cutting issues

• Coordinating the sharing of knowledge and best practices between the policy areas as regards to integration of essential elements, such as addressing climate change and cooperation with neighbouring non-EU countries
• Supporting the NC group in ensuring contact with the managing authorities’ networks, and facilitate the PACs’ cooperation efforts to arrange contacts with managing authorities as well as other funding instruments
• Facilitating regular exchange between the policy areas on content issues, thematic coordination and proactively stimulating exchanges between related policy areas through thematic meetings, events, etc.

4.  Capacity building

• Coordinating targeted capacity building for the EUSBSR stakeholders, including those in neighbouring non-EU countries
• Encouraging and participating in the exchange of experiences between implementers and stakeholders of the macro-regional strategies and other relevant programmes, e.g. INTERACT and ESPON

The partners applying for the BSP need to describe how they will contribute to the activities of the National Coordinators group as well as other EUSBSR stakeholders. The partners should carefully plan the staff resources assigned for the tasks above.

The maximum ERDF funding of the Programme available for partners from the EU members states applying for the BSP is up to EUR 1.2 million for a three-year project. All partners are entitled to receive up to 80% co-financing from the Programme.

More about the funding.

For advice on the Programme matters please contact at e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. For advice from the chair of the EUSBSR National Coordinators group please contact at e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 

 

Interreg Europe will open a call for proposals next year

Interreg Europe is also one of the Interreg programmes. It supports interregional cooperation among regions from all across Europe. The next call for proposals is planned to open in the first half of 2022. For now, Interreg Europe is creating the content of the future programme and selecting thematic priorities. Find more about Interreg Europe in 2021-2027 and opening calls for proposals here.

 

 

Interregional Innovation Investment (I3) call for proposals

The Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) Work Programme has opened a call for proposals. The deadline for the calls is on 1. February 2022 17 CET.

The aim of the programme is to promote innovation through smart specialisation and interregional collaboration. The I3 supports stronger interregional cooperation in investments and makes sustainable connections by linking regional ecosystems in shared smart specialisation areas vital to accelerate market uptake of research results and stimulate innovation.

Funding focus is on financial and advisory support for investments in interregional innovation projects and financial and advisory support to the development of value chains in less developed regions.

 

Financial and advisory support for investments in interregional innovation projects (strand 1)

Strand 1 targets to help partnerships to accelerate market uptake and scale-up of innovative solutions in shared smart specialisation priority areas, as well as to develop a portfolio of investment projects.

The thematic priorities for the call are (1) digital transition, (2) green transition, including climate neutrality, environmental sustainability and circular economy and (3) smart manufacturing. Specific objectives of the call are creating structured links between EU quadruple helix stakeholders, helping ecosystems to overcome market failures, supporting companies building interregional innovation investment, accelerating innovation and increasing the capacities of less developed regions to participate in EU value chains contributing to cohesion policy objectives.

The consortium must include at least five independent legal entities established in at least three different eligible countries, the coordinator being a non-profit organisation established in a more developed EU region/country. In addition, at least one of the entities must be established in a less developed, transition or outermost region/country.

At least 70% of the grant must be allocated to investments in companies.

For help related to this call, please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

Innovation investments Strand 1 – DIGIT

The call for proposals targets investments in businesses and administrations. In order to unlock digital growth potential and deploy innovative solutions (both for businesses and citizens), to improve the accessibility and the efficiency of services and bridge the persisting digital divide, the present call under this topic will support interregional investments projects in the following areas:

1. Digital economy and innovation
2. Digitalisation of the public administration
3. Digitalisation of healthcare 

 

Innovation investments Strand 1-GREEN

Turning climate and environmental challenges into opportunities is the ambition of the green transition. The European Green Deal has the goal to make Europe a resource-efficient and competitive economy. In this framework, the EU sets its targets to reach climate-neutrality by 2050, therefore this will require substantial investments. The call intends to support innovative value chain investments, to boost the economy through green technology and to create sustainable industry/transport. It also intends to provide support to interregional investments in sustainable food systems, sustainable agriculture, clean and efficient energy, sustainable industry, building and renovating, sustainable mobility, eliminating pollution and climate action.

 

Innovation investments Strand 1 - MANU

This topic focuses on improving the delivery of new or improved products, processes or services in the manufacturing industry. In the context of advanced manufacturing; knowledge and innovative technologies are used to produce complex products and improve processes to lower waste, pollution, material consumption and energy use. Robotics, 3D and 4D printing, artificial intelligence as well as high performance computing for modelling are important elements in advanced manufacturing.

The present call for proposals under this topic supports interregional innovation investments for the uptake of new or improved manufacturing solutions, as well as for supporting industry to face the challenge of digitalisation and to promote the shift towards a more environmentally sustainable production (zero pollution ambition for a toxic-free environment).

 

 

Follow all the funding programmes' calls for proposals here!