About Interreg

What is Interreg?

Interreg is one of the key instruments of the European Union (EU) supporting cooperation across borders through project funding. Its aim is to jointly tackle common challenges and find shared solutions.

What is Interreg Meuse-Rhine (NL-BE-DE)?

Step into the vibrant landscape of Interreg Meuse-Rhine (NL-BE-DE), previously known as Interreg Euregio Meuse-Rhine (EMR). We are one of the oldest cross-border cooperative initiatives in the European Union.

At Interreg Meuse-Rhine (NL-BE-DE), we empower projects that unite partners across borders. Together, we craft innovative solutions that address shared challenges in the cross-border triangle stretching across Belgium, Germany, and The Netherlands. In this transformative venture, collaboration transcends boundaries, and collective endeavors shape the destiny of this cross-border region.

What is the budget that the programme can invest in projects?

In the 2021-2027 Programme period, we invest a total of EUR 176 million, of which EUR 125 million comes from the European Union to address our region’s grand societal challenges.

Grand societal challenges

After years of ground-breaking progress, we're standing on the cusp of even greater change. Interreg Meuse-Rhine (NL-BE-DE) has identified five transformative societal challenges – opportunities waiting to be unleashed. Join us in seizing this moment to improve the lives of people and shaping a brighter future for all in our programme area. Let's make a profound impact on these crucial areas:

Industrial transition

We are in the midst of the fourth industrial transition. Industry 4.0 poses significant challenges for the region, but at the same time, it also offers fantastic opportunities for economic excellence. Bringing together cross-border innovation capacity creates new business opportunities for sustainable economic growth in the programme area.

Are you working on cutting-edge technologies and services, or projects focused on improving people's skills and talents? Then we invite you to learn more about the possibilities.

Green Transformation

Since the Paris Climate Agreement and the Green Deal, Europe is increasingly making the transition to a green society and economy, creating jobs and social benefits and protecting essential resources.

We are open to ideas to boost renewable energy, mitigate risks due to climate change, accelerate the adoption of circular concepts, and promote a 'greener' labour market and training.

Healthier citizens

Research shows that, on average, residents of our region are less healthy than in other European regions. To address current and future health issues and jointly develop innovative health solutions, cross-border cooperation is essential.

We seek projects that stimulate the application of health innovations, strengthen the labour market and education for the healthcare sector and improve accessibility to cross-border health services.

Tourism in a high-quality region

The beautiful landscapes and strong cultural heritage attract many tourists and day-trippers to our region. In addition, residents also enjoy the quality of life offered by the area. Tourism is strategically important for the economy and also has the ability to address socio-economic problems.

Therefore, we are open to innovative ideas that contribute to a high-quality and diverse tourism offer.

Live and work without borders

Programme area and programme partners

The core area of Interreg Meuse-Rhine (NL-BE-DE) encompasses the southern part of the Dutch province of Limburg, the Belgian provinces of Limburg and Liège, the German-speaking community in Belgium, the German Region Aachen (with the districts of Aachen, Düren, Heinsberg and Euskirchen), as well as the Eifelkreis Bitburg-Prum and Landkreis Vulkaneifel in Rhineland-Palatinate.

For the 2021-2027 programming period, however, Interreg Meuse-Rhine decided to extended the scope beyond administrative programme boundaries to include “functional areas”. These areas, although outside the programme's core area, boast interdependencies and links that intricately connect them to our overarching objectives. It's a strategic leap toward a more interconnected and expansive collaborative landscape, where geographical limits no longer define the extent of our impact. Join us in breaking new ground as we redefine the scope of collaboration in the pursuit of shared objectives. Practically, this means that partners located outside the programme area can apply for and participate in projects, as well, as long as the benefit for the programme area is clear.

Our esteemed programme partners encompass key entities from each of these countries:

Belgium	Germany	The Netherlands
German-speaking Community of Belgium Flanders Province of Liège Province of Limburg Wallonia-Brussels Federation Walloon Region	Region Aachen Zweckverband Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Action and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia Rhineland-Palatinate	Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy Province of Limburg

This partnership reflects the programme’s commitment to fostering collaboration and development across borders. Together, we are making a meaningful impact through the Interreg Meuse-Rhine programme.

Programme bodies

At the heart of Interreg Meuse-Rhine (NL-BE-DE), a number of authorities and organisations from the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany jointly shoulder the programme's responsibilities:

Monitoring Committee (MC):

Our Monitoring Committee is an assembly of representatives from programme partners, local and regional governments, and social and economic stakeholders. As the highest governing body, the MC steers the fundamental decisions that propel our programme forward.

Steering Committee (SC):

Under the watchful eye of the MC, the SC takes the helm in selecting projects that contribute to our programme goals.

Managing Authority (MA):

The Provincial Executive of the Province of Limburg has been designated by the European Commission as our Managing Authority. The MA has the official responsibility and accountability for the programme to the European Commission (EC). The MA manages the programme on behalf of the participating programme partners, ensuring their vision comes to life.

Joint Secretariat (JS):

The Joint Secretariat is managing the administrative and technical processes of the programme. The JS, alongside the RAs, takes the lead in communication, publicity, and reporting.

Regional Antenna (RAs):

Meet the friendly faces at the frontline – our Regional Antennas. They're your first point of contact, providing programme information in local languages, guiding you to cross-border partners, and offering support for crafting high-quality project applications.

Audit Authority (AA) / Group of Auditors:

Ensuring the effective functioning of our management and control system is the responsibility of our Audit Authority, led by the director of the “Auditdienst Rijk” of the Netherlands. The AA conducts audits that keep our programme and projects on track.