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Territorial cooperation

What is territorial cooperation?

European Territorial Cooperation is the instrument of cohesion policy that aims to solve problems across borders and to jointly develop the potential of diverse territories. The overarching objective of territorial cooperation is to promote a harmonious economic, social and territorial development of EU as well as to reduce the negative effects of borders. Territorial cooperation consists of cross-border, transnational and interregional cooperation. Legal basis for territorial cooperation is provided for in Article 178 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU and Regulation (EU) No 1299/2013. In the 2014‑2020 budget period, EU allocated EUR 9.8 billion to territorial cooperation.

These resources are divided as follows: 74.05% for cross-border cooperation, 20.36% for transnational and 5.59% for interregional cooperation. Cross-border cooperation programmes support regions at a maximum distance of 150 km. The areas covered by transnational cooperation are defined by the European Commission, taking into account macro-regional and sea-basin strategies. Interregional cooperation covers the entire EU area.
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Territorial cooperation programmes in which BiH participates

In the 2014-2020 budget period, Bosnia and Herzegovina participates in three transnational cooperation programmes, as well as in three cross-border cooperation programmes.

interreg-mediteran
The Interreg Mediterranean Transnational Cooperation Programme
interreg-adrion
The Adriatic-Ionian Transnational Cooperation Programme (ADRION)
dunavski-program
The Danube Transnational Programme
croatia-bih-montenegro
The Interreg IPA Cross-border Cooperation Programme Croatia-Bosnia and Herzegovina-Montenegro
serbia-bih
The IPA Cross-border Cooperation Programme Serbia-Bosnia and Herzegovina
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The IPA Cross-border Cooperation Programme Bosnia and Herzegovina-Montenegro
How do the territorial cooperation programmes work and what do they support?

Territorial cooperation programmes are selected through public calls for proposals. Territorial cooperation programme beneficiaries are national, regional and local administrations, publicly owned entities (in some programmes, entities in private ownership), non-profit organisations (as a rule), educational and research institutions, development agencies, civil society organisations, professional associations, etc.

The programmes support:

  • SOCIAL MEASURES (employment incentive and labour mobility, public health, inclusion...)
  • ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY (climate change, renewable energy, waste management, flood risk prevention...)
  • TOURISM AND CUTURAL HERITAGE (incentive, conservation, promotion, protection...)
  • COMPETITIVENESS (business environment, institutional infrastructure...)
  • SMARTER EUROPE (innovation, digitisation, economic transformation and support to small and medium-sized businesses...)
  • A GREENER, CARBON-FREE EUROPE (implementing the Paris Agreement and investing in energy transition, renewables and the fight against climate change ...)
  • A MORE CONNECTED EUROPE (strategic transport and digital networks...)
  • A MORE SOCIAL EUROPE(supporting quality employment, education, knowledge and skills, social inclusion and equal access to healthcare ...)
  • EUROPE CLOSER TO CITIZENS (supporting locally-led development strategies and sustainable urban development ...)
  • BETTER INTERREG GOVERNANCE (support for capacity building)
  • SAFER EUROPE (supporting border management, mobility and migration, protection of migrants)
OPEN CALLS
Territorial cooperation programmes 2007 -2013

IPA Adriatic Program

Croatia-BiH

SEE South East Europe Program

Serbia-BiH

Mediterranean Program

BiH-Montenegro