Objective(s) and scope
Interreg Central Baltic Sea Region (the Programme) is a source of EU funding for public and private actors who want to shape the Baltic Sea region to become more innovative, water-smart and climate-neutral. Call 5 aims to use cooperation to improve the lives of the inhabitants in the cross-border region.
Scope:
1. Innovative Business Development
Programme Objective 1: More exports by SMEs (prioritised)
Programme Objective 2: More new scaled-up growth companies
2. Improved Environment and Resource Use
Programme Objective 3: Joint circular economy solutions
Programme Objective 4: Improved coastal and marine environment
Programme Objective 5: Decreased CO₂ emissions
3. Improved Employment Opportunities
Programme Objective 6: Improved employment opportunities on the labour market. (Projects addressing result indicator PSR 6 are prioritised)
4. Improved Public Services
Programme Objective 7: Improved public services and solutions for citizens, open exclusively for small project applications.
Administering body
The Managing Authority/Joint Secretariat (MA/JS) is the main contact point - c/o Regional Council of Southwest Finland.
Financing value
For small projects, a maximum of 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.
A total of approximately €35 million ERDF is reserved for funding in the Fifth Call (including regular projects – check call for regular projects).
Low capital (EUR 0-5 million)
Eligible countries
Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Sweden
Within Estonia: Kesk-Eesti, Kirde-Eesti, Lääne-Eesti, Põhja-Eesti, Lõuna-Eesti
Within Finland: Kymenlaakso, Satakunta, Uusimaa, Varsinais-Suomi, Etelä-Karjala, Kanta-Häme, Pirkanmaa, Päijät-Häme, Etelä-Savo, Åland (autonomy)
Within Latvia: Kurzeme, Pierīga, Rīga, Vidzeme, Zemgale, Latgale
Within Sweden: Gotlands län, Gävleborgs län, Stockholms län, Södermanlands län, Uppsala län, Östergötlands län, Västmanlands län, Örebro län
Eligibility criteria (if available)
Eligible if one of the following:
- Public authorities (national, regional, or local level)
- Bodies governed by public law
- Bodies governed by private law (if organisations are for general purpose and not for profit; for example: chambers of commerce, sectoral associations, NGOs), SMEs (if for Programme Objective 4 Improved coastal and marine environment and Programme Objective 5 Decreased CO2 emissions)
Conditions:
- Must align with one of the objectives outlined at ‘objectives and scope’.
- To involve at least two partners from different eligible countries, 1 lead partner and 1 more project partner.
- Partners need an active role in the project implementation.
- Partners need a defined budget.
Further information on eligibility criteria
Under 3. Applying for a project in GUIDE FOR APPLYING FOR A SMALL PROJECT
Application period
10 March 2025 (submission to Jems opened)
01 August 2025 – 30 September 2025 (application period)
