Small project funds

Small scale projects are projects of a limited financial volume directly managed by the programmes.

The alternative to a programme directly funding many small scale projects is to select a Small Project Fund (SPF). An SPF is a project in itself, it is managed by a single beneficiary who funds and manages small projects. One approach often taken by programmes is to have an EGTC (European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation) selected to manage the SPF.

The legal requirements are set out in Articles 24 and 25 of the Interreg regulation, and are mandatory for Cross-border programmes (CBC). 

Where to start

The Interreg regulation sets out the fundamentals of this work in Articles 24 and 25.

Each Interreg programme had to set out its approach to small scale projects or SPF in Section 6 of the programme document. In CBC programmes this was the requirement to consider SPF was met. For Transnational, Interregional and OMR programmes this was not mandatory, but many transnational programmes have taken forward small scale projects.

Once you are familiar with the general rules, our Q&A document offers a useful starting point for implementation issues and challenges.

You are also invited to join the community, where Interact offers space to exchange between practitioners on both SPF and small scale projects.

What we are working on

Twice a year Interact organises exchanges between programmes working with small scale projects and SPF.

A session on lean implementation of small scale projects and SPF is included in the plan for the Interreg Knowledge Fair 2024.

A collection of case studies of practice and innovative use of SPF and of small scale projects is also planned.