What is Interreg VA?

The INTERREG VA Programme is a European Union Structural Funds Programme which seeks to address the economic and social problems which result from the existence of maritime borders. It supports strategic cross-border co-operation for a more prosperous and sustainable region.

The University of Sussex is within the eligible area for the following two Interreg VA programmes:

The Interreg Va Channel Programme is for projects in partnership with organisations in Northern France bordering on the Channel. The operational programme for the new programme is currently being developed. For the 2014-2020 programme Norfolk County Council is the new Managing Authority for the programme taking over from Haute-Normandie. The first call is expected to be in 2015.

The programme website and associated programme information (Subsidy Agreement, Partnership Agreement, eligible costs, subsidy rate etc), has not yet fully launched.

The Two Seas Programme is for projects in partnership with organisations in Nord-Pas de Calais (France) and parts of Belgium and the Netherlands. Although the details for the new Interreg VA Two Seas programme are currently being developed, the programme was launched in November 2014 with a call for proposals opening in 2015. This will follow a two-step application process. The submission of a Concept Note is required as a first step followed by a full Application Form as the 2nd step.

Although the programme website and detailed programme information has not yet launched information (Subsidy Agreement, Partnership Agreement, level of accountability, etc), Brighton and Hove City Council have very useful programme information here.

Both programmes run between 2014 – 2020.

What is Sussex’s position?

The Interreg programmes, in common with many other EU programmes (excluding Horizon 2020), require significant levels of institutional co-funding (also known as “match funding”), and incur significant overhead costs in the form of administrative and financial management. These features make Interreg a highly unattractive funder of choice compared with other sources of funding. For these reasons, under previous Interreg Programmes the University required a strong business case to be made prior to committing significant time and effort in developing proposals (approved by the Research and Knowledge Exchange Committee).

The University will be reviewing its approach to Interreg VA, when the detailed operational guidance  is released. However, based on our current understanding of both Interreg programmes, the need (and process) for making a strong business case is likely to continue.

It is therefore important, if you are considering Interreg as a funding option, to contact your Research Development Manager as soon as possible. If you (with your School’s approval) decide to proceed in the absence of detailed programme guidance, you must bear in mind that you may subsequently be required to prepare an internal business case and on the basis of the outcome, you may or may not be able to proceed to the full submission stage (both programmes are implementing two-stage submissions).

Interreg deadlines

Interreg VA Two Seas Programme: 

Interreg VA Channel programme:

Provisional calendar:

- 1st phase application: March 2015

- Final approval of the first projects: autumn 2015