Successful Interreg Project Planning and Implementation – The Case of Remote Areas
Problems addressed
• The insufficient access of European remote areas to information, mainly due to their geographical isolation, constitutes an obstacle either to approaching the Community Initiative Interreg or to their effective cooperation with other areas in terms of common planning and joint implementation of Interreg Projects of all strands.
• The lack of know-how of local actors and beneficiaries in European remote areas on accessing ERDF funds, developing innovative approaches and managing interregional, transnational and cross-border development projects is a basic reason for the low level of efficiency and effectiveness of the projects they design, coordinate or participate in.
• The difficulties that European remote areas are confronted with in terms of utilising the results and impact of regional interventions constitute barriers to gaining competitive advantages, increasing development and enhancing their area’s competitiveness.

Objectives
• Improving the access of European remote areas to sound and appropriate information in order to support their familiarization with the Community Initiative Interreg and improve their cooperation with other areas in terms of common planning and joint implementation of successful projects within all strands of the Community Initiative Interreg.
• Increasing the capacities of certain groups of final beneficiaries in European remote areas on accessing ERDF funds, developing innovative approaches and managing interregional, transnational and cross-border development projects of the Community Initiative Interreg.
• Increasing the effectiveness of regional development projects in European remote areas where a clearly identified potential exists, in order to promote the balanced development and cohesion of the European space, focusing also on the countries of the New Neighbourhood.

Approach and methodology
• Informing and raising the awareness of local groups of final beneficiaries on the scope, objectives and areas of intervention of the C.I. Interreg, facilitating the exchange of experiences and good practices on a transnational level, ensuring the wider spreading of information to the local population and disseminating results of the analysis of Interreg experience in European remote areas.
• Developing innovative tools and providing training to the local groups of final beneficiaries of the European remote areas on successful planning and implementation of Interreg projects.
• Familiarising final beneficiaries with innovative and modern regional development tools, developing a common methodology on efficient planning and effective implementation of Interreg Projects in European remote areas and preparation of a common pilot project proposal to the C.I. Interreg.
