In October 2023 the European Commission launched a stakeholder and citizen consultation to gather information and suggestions for building the Post-2027 programming framework.
Interreg programmes were tasked with conducting these consultations in their respective territories during 2024 and submitting a report (the so-called "Harvesting report") by 31 December 2024, which includes suggestions and recommendations from programme bodies.
In the infographic below, you can follow our activities contribuiting to the consultations. The final step ahead of us will be "Interreg GO!" Conference to be held in Gorizia-Nova Goriza in March 27th and 28th, which will be focused on the consolidated results of all consultation streams.
The Interreg Italy-Croatia contribution to the Post-2027 programming activities
The Interreg Italy-Croatia contribution to the Post-2027 programming activities
Consultations methodology
First of all, the Italy-Croatia Programme developed a consultation methodology that was shared with the Monitoring Committee in the spring 2024 and implemented via online surveys and in-person events.
On-line surveys for stakeholders and citizens
We developed two online surveys, one addressed to stakeholders and one to citizens, which remained open from May 6th to September 30th.
Over the course of 2024, the Programme collected 522 responses, including 286 from stakeholders and 236 from citizens. We will publish a detailed report after receiving the approval from our Monitoring Committee and sending it to the EU Commission.
Events dedicated to Consultations
We dedicated a session about the Consultations during our Lead Partner Seminar for Standard Projects in March, we gathered responses from citizens and stakeholers during the Venice Boat Show in May, and we finally organised a Conference on the Future of Interreg post 2027 at the Venice Film Festival in September.
November 8th - Online Meeting organised by Department for Cohesion Policy and the South with the European Commission
This meeting opened with a presentation by Morey Gilland, Head of the Interreg Unit at DG Regio. Key points included:
Timelines: The Commission aims to propose a new MFF by July 2025 and draft regulations in the second half of 2025.
Resource Allocation: While resources may be constrained due to new EU priorities, Interreg is in a relatively strong position due to:
Spending levels 50% higher on average than regional/national programmes.
Some Interreg programmes having already fully allocated their funds.
Three programming aspects were highlighted:
Continuity: Maintaining programme geographies to allow trust-building between neighbouring countries.
Speed: Limited changes to the Interreg regulation in recent negotiations facilitated quick programme launches.
Simplification: Achieving real simplification requires eliminating requirements (e.g., removing annual implementation reports and designation processes, as in 2021–2027).
Mr. Gilland also emphasised the importance of exploring lessons from the RRF to simplify Interreg’s implementation, particularly for performance-based payments and project reforms tailored to cooperation objectives.
November 24th – 25th : Harvesting Event in Brussels
The two-day event provided a platform for exchanging ideas with other programmes and the European Commission on topics covered in the Discussion Papers and broader European programming strategies.
Prior to the event, the Italy-Croatia Programme convened a working group meeting to review the Discussion Papers and prioritise five topics (excluding third-country cooperation and territorial instruments due to limited relevance for a maritime programme). A summary table was prepared for each topic, as requested by DPCoES.
Key insights from the Brussels discussions included:
Synergies: The importance of fostering synergies between programmes and other funds. This requires efforts during the programming phase and redefining “embedding” with mainstream programmes.
Performance-Based Approach: Introducing change management within structures, adapting roles for new mechanisms, increasing advance payments, and collaborating on indicators.
Simplification: Expanding the use of SCOs directly within regulations.
Greener Europe: Embedding sustainability not just in OP2 but across all programme activities, with adaptations for maritime programmes (Blue + Green).
During the plenary session, stakeholders and citizen consultation results were discussed. The Italy-Croatia Programme, along with four other Interreg programmes (Central Europe, URBACT, Romania-Serbia, and Indian Ocean), presented their findings.
The Programme carried out the consultation of stakeholders and citizens on the future of Interreg Post-2027 during 2024, using a mix of online and in-person methods to engage target audience and collect meaningful feedback, leading to valuable insights from diverse participants:
Survey via EUSurvey
Face-to-Face Interviews
In person events
Altogether, the Programme’s Citizens and Stakeholder consultations gathered 522 responses, demonstrating an effective and inclusive approach.
Documents
Title
Published
Download
Post-2027 Consultations - Harvesting Report
03/01/2025
Interreg GO! Conference in Gorizia-Nova Goriza
Interreg GO! Conference in Gorizia - Nova Goriza on 27th - 28th March 2025
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