Pondering on the list of strategic projects ….

The Interreg Regulation for 2021-2027 includes the option to submit a “list of operations of strategic importance” as annex to the draft programme upon submission to the European Commission. It is not an obligation but an option. And it is not the only moment during programming and programme implementation when strategic projects can be on the agenda.

From an overarching perspective annexing such list means to identify at an early stage the projects making a difference. It is considered a help to highlight such projects and thus contribute to the narrative of Interreg at the European level.

From the “internal” programme perspective motivations to agree on strategic projects at an early stage might differ across programmes. Reasons might range from an early agreement on larger (infrastructure) investment to ensuring to implement some key projects for the territory and hereby helping other project developers to understand what kind of projects are needed to implement the programme’s objectives.

However, the option to provide the list as annex to the programme is just a voluntary option upon submission. Programmes can define strategic projects any time during the programme life cycle, e.g. deciding later on to run a focused call for applications for strategic projects.

Give it a meaning in your programme!

We will take the definition of an operation of strategic importance in the CPR (art. 2(5) on definitions) as point of departure:

“operation of strategic importance' means an operation which provides a significant contribution to the achievement of the objectives of a programme and which is subject to particular monitoring and communication measures;”

From there we will invite you to a brief journey through brief testimonials on strategic projects to an open exchange on experiences, pros and cons and implications. Covering both the integration of predefined strategic projects in the draft programme as well as integrating strategic projects later on during programme implementation.

Objectives

We will:

• Share initial reflections on making use of strategic projects
• Present examples of when and how to do it
• Discuss and exchange on pros and cons as well as major implications for programme implementation and management