What is the INTERREG IVA Programme? 

The INTERREG IVA Programme for Northern Ireland, the Border Region of Ireland and Western Scotland is a European Union supported Structural Funds Programme which seeks to address the economic and social problems which result from the existence of borders. It supports strategic cross-border co-operation for a more prosperous and sustainable region. The INTERREG IVA Programme is worth €256 million (€192 million from the EU with further national contributions of €64 million).

The INTERREG IVA Programme continues INTERREG IIIA’s strong focus on Northern Ireland and the Border Region of Ireland. However, the eligible area now also includes Western Scotland. INTERREG IVA assists two categories of projects:

(i)  Northern Ireland and the Border Region of Ireland projects, as before;
(ii) Tripartite projects that involve Northern Ireland, the Border Region of Ireland, and Western Scotland.

Every project will therefore have a Northern Ireland and Border Region of Ireland, element.

The programme is delivered through two priorities.

Priority 1: Co-operation for a more prosperous cross-border region:
It will do this by helping to diversify and develop the economy

  • By encouraging innovation and competitiveness in enterprise and business development and
  • By promoting tourism;

Priority 2: Co-operation for a sustainable cross-border region:
It will do this by supporting activities that

  • Promote cross-border co-operation in policy development and
  • Improve access to services to promote the quality of life for those living in the eligible area.

INTERREG co-operation includes:

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.

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.

In an application for INTERREG IVA funding in 2007, ICBAN in partnership with its 10 member Councils completed a comprehensive strategic planning process, which resulted in the development of a ‘Multi-Annual Plan’ for the region.  This Plan identified a range of projects to address the present and future development needs of the region across the three funding themes of Enterprise, Tourism and Collaboration.

The Plan and associated applications are being considered by the Special European Union Programmes Body (SEUPB).  The latest phase of assessment is nearing completion with ICBAN having secured approximately €6.5 million by November 2010.  Further substantial investment is anticipated for projects currently within the system.

For more information on current INTERREG IVA funded projects please click here