The Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme 2021-2027 is a European Union initiative aimed at fostering transnational cooperation among countries in the Baltic Sea region. The program supports projects that enhance innovation, sustainability, and social well-being, addressing regional challenges and opportunities through collaborative efforts. It focuses on priorities like innovation, water management, climate change adaptation, and sustainable transport.
Objective(s) and scope
The programme provides EU funding to support smart ideas that benefit the Baltic Sea region. It encourages cross-border cooperation, harmonises systems, and promotes sustainable solutions to improve the quality of life around the Baltic Sea. The programme defines four priorities including nine programme objectives, including the following:
- Priority 1: Innovative societies (1.1 Resilient economies and communities, and 1.2 Responsive public services)
- Priority 2: Water-smart societies (2.1 Sustainable waters and 2.2 Blue economy)
- Priority 3: Climate-neutral societies (3.1 Circular economy, 3.2 Energy transition and 3.2 Smart green mobility)
- Priority 4: Cooperation governance (4.1 Project platforms and 4.2 Macro-regional governance)
The Programme targets public authorities at local, regional and national levels, business support organisations, specialised agencies, and infrastructure and service providers as the main forces responsible for the structural transition into a more resilient and innovative region.
Administering body
The Managing Authority/Joint Secretariat (MA/JS) is the main contact point. The MA/JS’s main office in Rostock (Germany) is operated by Investitionsbank Schleswig-Holstein (IB.SH).
Financing value
EUR 235.7 million in total (including 232.4 from ERDF funds). As January 2024, EUR 164.1 million had been committed and EUR 68.3 million were remaining.
In terms of co-financing rates:
- EU partners receive up to 80% co-financing from ERDF.
- Norwegian partners receive up to 50% from Norwegian funding.
Project partners have to provide their own contribution to receive Programme funding. Projects can apply for reimbursement of costs related to the preparation of the project proposal. Only projects selected by the Monitoring Committee can have their preparation costs reimbursed.
Eligible countries
Eight EU Member States (Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Sweden), and one non-Member State (Norway)
Eligibility criteria (if available)
Eligibility criteria include the following:
- To have at least three partners from three programme area countries ready to work together.
- Project idea must fit into one of these programme objectives:
- Resilient economies and communities
- Responsive public services
- Circular Economy
- Energy transition
- Smart green mobility
- Be considered a core project (duration up to 36 months), where you will prepare, pilot and transfer practical and durable solutions.
- Be able to secure your own financial contribution and pre-finance project activities.
- Be one of the following:
- Local, regional or national public authority
- Infrastructure and public service provider; sectoral agency
- Small and medium enterprise; large enterprise; business support organisation
- Education/training centre and school; higher education and research institution
- Non-governmental organisation; international governmental organisation
- European Economic Interest Grouping
- European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation
- Hospital and medical centre
- Interest group
- One of the partners must be ready to take the role of a lead partner.
Application period
Open calls include the following:
- Third call for core projects for priorities 1 and 3 are currently open (EUR 40.7 million from ERDF and EUR 1.1 from Norwegian funds) for all types of applicants. Timeline: 17 January 2024 until 21 June 2024.
- Call for EUSBSR Strategy Forums is currently open (EUR 1.0 million) for all types of applicants but for private-for-profit. Timeline: 1 June 2022 until 1 June 2028.
For more information on calls, please check the specific fiches.
