The Interreg VI-A Hungary-Croatia Programme 2021-2027 belongs to the network of cross-border, transnational and interregional programmes which constitute an important part and an objective of the European Union’s Cohesion Policy. Interreg programmes contribute to the overall economic, social and territorial cohesion of the EU by tackling issues which cross the borders between countries and regions. The aims of Interreg programmes are – among others – the creation of common identity, integrated physical space, balanced development and improved policies and governance. To achieve these aims, cross-border cooperation (CBC) programmes identify shared challenges in the border regions, and measures to address them.
The co-operation programme between Hungary and Croatia is the successor of the 2007-2013 Hungary-Croatia (IPA) CBC Programme and the 2014-2020 Interreg V-A Hungary-Croatia Cooperation Programme. Ever since the accession of Croatia to the EU, the bilateral programmes’ co-financing is covered by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Thus, the principles and the best practices regulating the programming and the implementation of the instruments of Cohesion Policy are fully applicable. The majority of experiences of the preceding two programming periods are relevant to the current programme as well, which – with respect to its objectives and content – shows strong continuity with its predecessors.
Due to its limited scope and specific cross-border nature, the programme’s guiding principle is to support selected co-operative actions and pilot projects in certain priority fields, next to some strategic large-scale interventions. The focus in this programming period is set on enhancing economic cooperation with the active involvement of small- and medium sized enterprises; promoting energy efficiency and the reducing of greenhouse gas emissions; promoting climate change adaptation and disaster risk prevention and resilience; addressing the problems of cross-border physical accessibility by developing regional and local mobility, including improved access to TEN-T and cross-border mobility; improving equal access to inclusive and quality services in education, training and lifelong learning; enhancing the role of culture and sustainable tourism in economic development, social inclusion and social innovation; enhancing efficient public administration by promoting legal and administrative cooperation and cooperation between citizens, civil society actors and institutions; and building up mutual trust, in particular by encouraging people-to-people actions.
The focus of this 2021-2027 programme is slightly shifted towards supporting the reinforcement and expansion of the existing co-operative networks and contributing to the establishment of a sound basis for a dynamic and lasting co-operation across the border. Besides that, the programme continues to concentrate on encouraging sustainable economic co-operation in the region, while maintaining continuity of activities as outlined above.