The Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) has a role to facilitate North/South participation in the INTERREG IVB Transnational Programmes which are relevant to Northern Ireland .

These programmes are:

SEUPB works in an advisory and signposting role for the latter two INTERREG IVB programmes.

INTERREG IVC Interregional Programme

SEUPB also works in an advisory and signposting role for North/South participation in the INTERREG IVC Interregional programme.

What is Cross border, Transnational and Interregional Co-operation?

Under the new European Territorial Co-operation Objective INTERREG IV programme, programmes are divided into three different strands: cross-border, transnational and interregional co-operation

Of the three types of co-operation, interregional co-operation is the only ‘type' of co-operation where all EU regions are eligible . By comparison, only the areas close to a border (land and/or maritime) are eligible under the cross-border co-operation programmes and under the transnational co-operation programmes.

  The main differences between the three ‘types' of co-operation are as follows:

Cross Border (INTERREG IVA) programmes aim to bring adjacent cross-border regions closer together through the development of joint projects. Under these programmes, projects can be financed in a wide variety of themes e.g. culture, tourism, economic development and transport.

Transnational programmes (INTERREG IVB) aim to promote a higher degree of territorial integration, with a view to achieving sustainable, harmonious and balanced development across the EU and better territorial integration with candidate and other neighbouring countries. Key areas of focus include: Innovation, Environment, Accessibility and Sustainable Urban Environment

There are 13 programme zones, three of which are relevant to Northern Ireland - Northern Periphery Programme, North West Europe Programme, Atlantic Area Programme.

Interregional Co-operation (INTERREG IVC) focuses on the identification, analysis and dissemination of good practices by public authorities in order to improve the effectiveness of regional and local policies. Co-operation projects are eligible across all 27 EU states, plus Norway and Switzerland.

For further information on the process, please contact: