A Greener Europe (PO2)

Considering the growing effects of climate related challenges, it is crucial to continue supporting green actions in all European regions, in cooperation across borders. Matching the scale of the challenge, Policy Objective 2 "A Greener Europe" was a mandatory objective for all Interreg programmes, remaining one of Interreg's top focus to keep providing solutions that help build a greener, more sustainable future and positively impact citizens' daily lives.

Interact supports programmes working with PO2 to exchange on their experiences, ideas and solutions to better address these challenges together. The goal is to develop knowledge in order to support programme approaches, enhancing project results and impact, and showcase Interreg's achievements to wider stakeholders and extend their reach. 

The thematic network aims to cover many of the issues covered in PO2 under its specific objectives, namely climate change adaptation, disaster risk prevention, energy, circular economy, water management, biodiversity and nature protection, and sustainable urban mobility.

Who this network is for

The network is open to programme representatives involved in the management of projects under PO2. It also gathers thematic experts, project partners, European Commission representatives, stakeholders and other EU funding programmes that are interested in finding out more about Interreg's contribution to EU green policies.

What we do

• Supporting programmes: We help programmes manage challenges like attracting participants, balancing top-down and bottom-up approaches, guiding project applicants and capitalising on results.
• Sharing success: We showcase achievements in solving climate related challenges across borders by sharing successful project examples from across the Interreg community.
• Analysing data: We address specific policy topics, collect data, and share the results widely through events, articles, and reports.

What we are working on

Our Webinar Series - where one of our specific objectives is in spotlight, with experts bringing us up to speed with the latest developments, and showcase Interreg's success stories. We will be back soon with new topics, in the meantime, have a look at our previous editions, including video recording: 

Interreg for a More Resilient Europe - Disaster Risk Management across Borders

Circular Solutions powered by Cooperation - Interreg's Role in Building a Competitive and Sustainable Europe

Cross-Border Energy Communities - Unlocking Cooperation for a Clean Energy Transition

In the past year, we focused on shaping the future of Interreg, supporting the reflection on how can green challenges be better addressed in the next generation of Interreg programmes - this resulted in the Post-27 Consultation Report for a Greener Europe. This report builds upon interesting practices implemented in the current period, and we will continue with our discussions to ensure that we keep the focus on green topics and sustainability in Interreg after 2027. The network will get together in 2026 to review current implementation and how Interreg programmes will keep providing green solutions in the new Interreg framework.

Spotlight - Interreg & Circular Economy

Interact has been selected as a member of the European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform (ECESP) Coordination Group.

This is a great recognition of the important role of Interreg programmes and projects in Europe’s circular transition, and a major opportunity to raise the visibility of:

• the 37 Interreg programmes prioritising circular economy
• 200+ ongoing projects
• more than 1,200 partners working across borders on practical circular solutions.

As part of this new mandate, the Interreg community will be represented at the annual conference A competitive and fair circular Europe: The ambition at the heart of the single market

Contact

If you want to join this active community, share your project stories, or simply learn more, reach out to Nicolas Garnier.

Want to exchange on this topic?

Interact offers an online space for those working with PO2, as well as other Policy Objectives to share information and exchange in our Inter programme collaboration network. You can find out more about our MS Teams environment on our Networks page, and see all our networks in our Portal. 

If you would like to learn more about this, please contact Nicolas Garnier