What is Interreg South Baltic Programme 2021-2027
The Interreg South Baltic Programme 2021-2027 enters a new era of multilateral cross-border cooperation between the coastal regions of five EU Member States: Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Lithuania, and Poland.
Even after more than 30 years of territorial collaboration the Programme demonstrates its relevance, timeliness, and pertinence to the development of the South Baltic area. The future priority and direction of growth is reflected in the motto of the new programming perspective: “United by the sea into action for blue and green future – Innovative, Sustainable, Attractive and Active South Baltic”.
Actions with the focus on economic, environmental, and social development, natural and cultural heritage, and cooperation of different actors in the area are supported by the Programme foremost aiming above all at improving the quality of life of its residents through the blue and green growth of the area.
Who can receive funding
The Programme recognises 3 types of partners: organisations can act as lead partners, project partners and associated partners.
Depending on the chosen role, the Programme proposes variations of the requirements, eligibility rules, funding volume and scope of tasks.
The following types of organisations can form partnerships and participate in projects supported by the Programme (non-exhaustive list):
• Public administrations and agencies;
• Public or private organisations (having either public or non-profit character);
• Chambers of commerce, trade unions;
• R&D facilities and educational institutions;
• Associations of public or private bodies and NGOs;
• SME associations and clusters;
• Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Please carefully read the Programme documents to correctly determine the project role considering the conditions stipulated by the Programme.
What thematic areas are supported by the Programme?
PRIORITY 1 – Innovative South Baltic
• Programme Measure 1.1 Digitalising the region
• Programme Measure 1.2 Building connectivity of the region through internationalisation
Programme Measure 1.1 Digitalising the region
Exemplary actions (non-exhaustive list):
1. Digitization solutions.
2. Platforms for digital innovation hubs/ universities/ R&D institutions and SMEs.
3. Digital processes and solutions.
4. Digital competences and solutions for public sector.
5. Exchange knowledge and best practices.
Programme Measure 1.2 Building connectivity of the region through internationalization
Exemplary actions (non-exhaustive list):
1. Cooperation between SMEs (innovative solutions).
2. Research projects between, e.g., SMEs, universities, public entities, and business support organizations.
3. Joint products / solutions / services.
4. Networks and clusters, and their expansion.
5. Fairs, exhibitions, marketing, and joint branding campaigns.
PRIORITY 2 – Sustainable South Baltic
• Programme Measure 2.1 Supporting transition towards green energy
• Programme Measure 2.2 Promoting sustainable use of water
• Programme Measure 2.3 Supporting a circular and more resource efficient development
Programme Measure 2.1 Supporting transition towards green energy
Exemplary actions (non-exhaustive list):
1. Energy policies.
2. Enhance usage of renewable energy and green fuels.
3. Solutions in production and utilisation of energy from renewable sources.
4. Common standards in renewable energy.
5. Joint green policy strategies.
6. Exchange and transfer knowledge and best practices.
Programme Measure 2.2 Promoting sustainable use of water
Exemplary actions (non-exhaustive list):
1. Enhancement of aquaculture (reducing eutrophication and pollution of the waters).
2. Water management policies.
3. Green technology solutions in water management and nature-based flood water management.
4. Solutions for reducing pollution and innovations in sustainable water management.
5. Common standards in waste and water management.
6. Capacity building, transfer of knowledge and exchange of best practices.
Programme Measure 2.3 Supporting a circular and more resource efficient development
Exemplary actions (non-exhaustive list):
1. Cooperation in waste management policies.
2. Cross-border awareness campaigns.
3. Joint business models, product design, technologies, solutions in waste / water management and resource efficiency etc.
4. Networks and thematic pilot projects.
5. Innovative solutions and waste management standards.
6. Exchange and transfer knowledge and best practices.
PRIORITY 3 – Attractive South Baltic
• Programme Measure 3.1 Developing sustainable, resilient, and innovative tourism
Programme Measure 3.1 Developing sustainable, resilient, and innovative tourism
Exemplary actions (non-exhaustive list):
1. Networks of tourism and cultural actors.
2. Joint strategies and solutions for tourism and cultural sectors.
3. Cross-border offers and products of sustainable tourism.
4. Sustainability dimension of tourism.
5. Promotion of the South Baltic brand and joint tourism heritage.
PRIORITY 4 – Active South Baltic
• Programme Measure 4.1 Strengthen the cooperation capacity of actors based within the South Baltic Area (including civil society)
Programme Measure 4.1 Strengthen the cooperation capacity of actors based within the South Baltic Area (including civil society)
Exemplary actions (non-exhaustive list):
1. Networking and cooperation of local actors.
2. Development of stronger links at a cross-border level.
3. Engage youth into civil society and actions of cross-border dimension.
4. Involvement of local actors in cross-border project development.
5. Promotion of cooperation culture.
6. Networks gathering actors to improve the cooperation.
What is the Programme area?
The coastal regions of 5 EU Member States define the South Baltic Programme area.
Germany: districts (Landkreise) of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern: Nordwestmecklenburg, Rostock, Vorpommern-Rügen, Vorpommern-Greifswald and district-free city (kreisfreie Stadt): Rostock.
Denmark: Regional Municipality of Bornholm and Region Zealand (subregions: Østsjælland, Vest- og Sydsjælland).
Lithuania: counties of Klaipėda, Tauragė and Telšiai
Poland: subregions of: Miasto Szczecin, Szczeciński, Szczecinecko-pyrzycki, Koszaliński, Słupski, Starogardzki, Chojnicki, Gdański, Trójmiejski, Elbląski and Olsztyński;
Sweden: counties of: Kalmar, Blekinge, Skåne and Kronoberg.
What is Programme funding
The total co-financing allocation from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to the South Baltic Programme for the period 2021-2027 is 87,7 million EUR (excl. Technical Assisstance for the Programme).
The Programme provides 80% as an ERDF co-financing, when each partner contributes 20% of the total project budget.
PRIORITY 1 – Innovative South Baltic proposes 17 533 162.00 EUR ERDF.
PRIORITY 2 – Sustainable South Baltic proposes 39 449 613.00 EUR ERDF.
PRIORITY 3 – Attractive South Baltic proposes 21 916 452.00 EUR ERDF.
PRIORITY 4 – Active South Baltic proposes 8 766 581.00 EUR ERDF.