Interreg Mitteleuropa (3. Call im Central Europe Programme)

The Interreg Central Europe Programme has announced the third and final call for proposals which invites organisations from across central Europe to submit transnational cooperation ideas for strategic projects for capitalisation. The third call will officially open on 29 September 2025, with submissions closing on 27 November 2025.

Central Europe is a complex functional area characterised not only by geographic proximity but also by spatial interactions and functional linkages in various sectors of economy, governance and public policies. Fifteen national borders and many internal ones hinder functional linkages among regions and, overall, the development of central European regions. Effects of borders are tackled locally by several Interreg cross-border programmes. At the same time, transnational projects are delivering solutions along functional linkages beyond national and internal borders. There is, therefore, the potential to team up efforts between cross-border and transnational projects, strengthening the impact of Interreg as a whole for the benefit of the central Europe area.

The overall objective of the call is “To reduce the effects of borders on flows and functional linkages among central European regions, for a more competitive and resilient central Europe”.

Selected projects will be recognised as “Operations of Strategic Importance”, i.e. flagship initiatives that strongly contribute to the programme goals and increase the visibility of EU cooperation.

The program supports cooperation beyond borders on a wide range of topics for a smarter, greener, better connected, and more integrated central Europe. Strategic projects for capitalisation can address all topics specified in chapter 2 of the Interreg Programme (IP) document for each programme specific objective (SO), without restrictions.

Priority 1: Cooperating for a smarter central Europe

• SO 1.1 Strengthening innovation capacities in central Europe
  • Among others, the following topics show a good potential for capitalisation: Innovation management in SMEs; Health care (innovation) and silver economy
• SO 1.2 Strengthening skills for smart specialisation, industrial transition and entrepreneurship
  • Among others, the following topics show a good potential for capitalisation: Entrepreneurship; Matching skills to labour market needs of regions in industrial and digital transition

Priority 2: Cooperating for a greener central Europe

• SO 2.1: Supporting the energy transition to climate-neutral central Europe
• SO 2.2: Increasing the resilience to climate change risks in central Europe
  • Among others, the following topics show a good potential for capitalisation: Risk awareness, prevention and management such as for forest fires, floods, landslides and erosion; Climate change adaptation
• SO 2.3: Taking circular economy forward in central Europe
• SO 2.4: Safeguarding the environment in central Europe
  • Among others, the following topics show a good potential for capitalisation: Biodiversity conservation and recovery; Protection of ecosystems and sustainable management
• SO 2.5: Greening urban mobility in central Europe

Priority 3: Cooperating for a better connected central Europe

• SO 3.1 Improving transport connections of rural and peripheral regions
  • Among others, the following topics show a good potential for capitalisation: Accessibility of peripheral areas including digital transport solutions, transport strategies and planning

Priority 4: Improving governance for cooperation in central Europe

• SO 4.1 Strengthening governance for integrated territorial development
  • Among others, the following topics show a good potential for capitalisation: Integrated territorial development including establishment of formal cooperation structures, access to public services of general interest and tourism

With an indicative ERDF budget of €23 million, project proposals can be submitted under all programme priorities and specific objectives.