North-West Europe

German regions involved

Bremen, Lower Saxony (Weser-Ems, Leine-Weser), North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, Hesse, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Bavaria (Upper, Middle, Lower Franconia and Swabia)

Green, smart and just

North-West Europe covers Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Ireland, parts of France and Germany. There are great regional disparities between Paris and the Palatinate, the Ruhr and Brittany. The Programme aims at making all regions in North-West Europe more resilient by increasing their ability to respond to any existing and future challenge. Its above-average growth compared to the EU is both strong and challenging: in view of the high energy and resource consumption and social and demographic realities, the focus is on the ecological and digital transformation, which creates prospects for all regions and people.

Topics of cooperation

The North-West Europe Programme supports projects concerning the following five priorities:

Climate and environment

• Climate adaptation and disaster risk prevention
• Nature protection and biodiversity

Energy transition

• Energy efficiency
• Renewable energy

Circular economy

• Circular and resource efficient economy

Innovation and resilience

• Innovation capacities and uptake of technologies

Inclusive society

• Access to employment
• Access to healthcare
• Culture and sustainable tourism

Budget and funding

• North-West Europe (2021 – 2027): 517 million euros
• among them resources from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF): 310 million euros
• EU cofinancing rate: 60%
• eligible for funding: staff costs, office and administration, travel and accommodation, external expertise and services, equipment, infrastructure and works (limited)

Types of projects

• Regular projects
• Small-scale projects (from call 2)

How to become a project partner

In North-West Europe, at least three partners from at least three different countries (two of which are based in the Programme area) come together in one project. A lead partner assumes the overall control of a project.

The Programme addresses public and private stakeholders. Examples of partners eligible for funding under the North-West Europe Programme:

• local, regional or national authorities
• public/semi-public organisations
• registered societies, non-governmental organisations, international organisations
• associations and chambers
• small and medium-sized enterprises, business support organisations
• universities, research institutions, educational institutions

Programme website

Interreg NWE Programme 2021-2027

Website German Contact Point

Deutsche Kontaktstelle Interreg B Nordwesteuropa

Contact BBSR

National Contact Point