The Interreg Atlantic programme opens its third call with €43 million

The Interreg Atlantic transnational cooperation programme launched its third call for proposals this Monday, with a budget allocation of €43 million from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), representing 41% of the programme’s total budget for the 2021-2027 period. Interested parties have until 14 February to submit their initiatives, which must align with three strategic priorities: blue innovation and competitiveness, green and blue environment, and sustainable tourism and culture in the Atlantic regions.

This programme, bringing together coastal and maritime regions from France, Ireland, Portugal, and Spain, aims to promote transnational projects that strengthen resilience to shared challenges and foster the sustainable and competitive development of Atlantic communities. According to Itsasne Murua, a consultant at Zabala Innovation and an expert on the call, “this opportunity allows participating organisations not only to access significant funding but also to establish cross-border cooperation networks that enhance both innovation and territorial cohesion.”

A more sustainable and competitive Atlantic

The first priority of the programme, focused on blue innovation and competitiveness, seeks to enhance research capacities and the adoption of advanced technologies in key sectors such as the blue economy, Industry 4.0, and the circular economy. Projects in this area must apply innovative solutions to local challenges and contribute to improving the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises, while fostering cooperation among social and economic innovation networks in marine-maritime fields.

Digitalisation is also promoted as a transformative axis in sectors such as tourism and the blue economy. Initiatives in this domain aim to integrate advanced technologies and business strategies, driving the digital transition through professional training, digital tools, and collaboration between industry and education.

The second priority focuses on the blue and green environment. Proposals in this area must address climate change and the transition to a circular economy. This includes promoting projects that enhance energy efficiency and renewable energies, particularly in maritime fields such as wave or ocean current energy. Initiatives that contribute to climate change adaptation, natural disaster prevention, and biodiversity preservation in the Atlantic region will also be valued.

“The environmental dimension of this call is crucial,” adds Murua. “The solutions proposed must not only be innovative but also align with the green transition demanded by the current context, addressing challenges such as emissions reduction and improved natural resource management.”

The third priority focuses on sustainable tourism and culture, promoting a model that combines economic development, social inclusion, and cultural innovation. Projects may address the adaptation of the tourism sector to climate challenges, improve professional skills, and develop initiatives aligned with the values of the New European Bauhaus, which integrates sustainability, aesthetics, and social inclusion.

A framework for Atlantic transnational cooperation

The Interreg Atlantic Programme 2021-2027, with an overall budget of €113 million, co-finances up to 75% of approved projects. This third call reinforces the European Union’s commitment to the Atlantic regions, enabling local, regional, and national actors to work together to implement solutions that transcend borders and address shared challenges.

Eligible regions in this call include Brittany, Normandy, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, and Pays de la Loire in France; East and Centre, North and West, and South in Ireland; Alentejo, Algarve, Centro, Lisbon, Norte, the Autonomous Region of Madeira, and the Azores in Portugal; and Andalusia, Asturias, Cantabria, Galicia, Canary Islands, La Rioja, Navarre, and the Basque Country in Spain.

Murua highlights the potential impact of this call: “Approved projects will not only receive financial support but also contribute to transforming public policies and creating a more integrated development model for the Atlantic region.”

Selected projects must demonstrate a clear focus on transnational cooperation, involving partners from at least three participating countries, and provide innovative and sustainable solutions that address the established priorities. Applicants face the challenge of integrating interdisciplinary approaches combining economic, environmental, and social aspects, maximising the funding and cooperation opportunities offered by the programme.