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

This year we are back with our Webinar Series - where one of our topics is in spotlight, with experts bringing us up to speed with the latest developments, and showcase Interreg's success stories. Have a look at our last two editions, including video recording: 

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

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

In June, we also had the honour of representring Interreg at EU thematic weeks in Brussels - EU Sustainable Energy Week, and EU Green Week, this year focusing on circular economy. Check out our series of articles on interreg.eu

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.

Our next event

The thematic community's annual event will be organised together with the EUSALP Presidency in Salzburg, Austria, on 22nd October, and it will focus on the topic of Circular Economy in collaboration with the thematic network for Policy Objective 1 (a Smarter Europe).  You can find more information and register here: Full Circle: From Lessons Learned to Future Possibilities - Circular Economy and Interreg 

There's still more to come for this year, so stay tuned not to miss out on any of the thematic network's new activities.

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