Interreg Cooperation Day 2025

What is Interreg?

Europe is a vast continent with very diverse countries that have very different conditions. At the forefront of the effort to unite the continent is the EU and the belief that all Europeans stand to gain from increased cooperation at all levels.

This cooperation is most visible and apparent in Brussels and Strasbourg, where Members of the European Parliament and the heads of government of the member states regularly meet to agree on new EU legislation that paves the way forward for the Union.

But an equally important part of European cooperation, which is not always as visible, is the massive collaboration that takes place at the regional level. The EU is not only divided into its 27 member states but also into small and large geographical cooperation areas, which cross national borders and aim to promote cooperation within the Union based on local conditions.

Today, there are a total of 86 such areas, each with associated funding programs designed to finance development initiatives for the respective regions.

These collaborations are called the Interreg programs. One example is the Interreg Baltic Sea Region program, which includes all countries around the Baltic Sea, and another is Interreg South Baltic, which brings together regions around the southern Baltic Sea.

– Many challenges, such as those related to the climate, do not care about where national borders lie, and to best address them we often need to disregard borders and collaborate broadly. That is the very core idea behind the Interreg programs, says Johan Lundbäck, project developer and Interreg South Baltic contact point in Sweden.

Click here to see an interactive map of all Interreg programs.

The Interreg programs are highly prioritized by the EU member states, and each year the Union invests approximately 100 million euros in these programs. Actors across Europe, both large and small, can apply for these funds to jointly address common challenges with other local actors.

Granted EU Funds

During the current programming period (2021-2027), Swedish actors within the framework of Interreg South Baltic have so far been granted 9,425,073 euros, of which 3,365,341 euros have been awarded to actors in Kalmar County.

In total, 55 projects have received funding during this period, of which 14 projects include participating actors from Kalmar County.

Project example: BOATMAN

In the countries around the southern Baltic Sea, sailing, fishing, and boat building are sources of identity and pride. We are now highlighting the craft and traditions as a reason for tourism. Through the BOATMAN project, we are creating a network of destinations connected to our long shared maritime cultural history – with the aim of increasing tourism and awareness of maritime cultural heritage in the southern Baltic Sea.

The project runs until summer 2027. BOATMAN partners are: Västervik Museum and Västervik Framåt AB from Sweden, Klaipeda University and Klaipeda Tourist Information Center (KRTIC) in Lithuania, Gdańsk Sports Centre, the Association of Seaside Towns & Municipalities, as well as the municipalities of Puck and Tolkmicko in Poland.

Why is BOATMAN important?

Through the BOATMAN project, we create a network of destinations connected to our long shared maritime cultural history. There is a long, shared maritime history around the southern Baltic Sea that has potential as a tourist attraction. The project is important for our shared history and for keeping the craft alive. It gives us the opportunity to share knowledge, both among partners and with visitors and future practitioners.

Project example: STRIVE

STRIVE (Sustainable Tourism through Resilient and Innovative Festival Ventures) aims to strengthen sustainable tourism in the southern Baltic Sea by using festivals as platforms for innovation, cultural exchange, and cross-border cooperation. The project consists of four work packages, including mapping current practices, developing circular solutions, designing policy guidelines, and a scalability plan for sustainability. Participating festivals in Sweden, Denmark, Poland, Germany, and Lithuania (including the Malmö Festival) are central actors contributing to making tourism more sustainable and attractive year-round.

Why is STRIVE important?

STRIVE is crucial for the Malmö Festival and the City of Malmö because it enables deeper environmental work and increases resources for sustainability efforts, in line with the city’s environmental program. The project provides access to expert support, new technology, and innovation opportunities, and creates valuable collaborations with leading national and international actors. It also strengthens the city’s visibility and contributes to achieving goals related to resource efficiency and the circular economy, making the festivals important drivers for sustainable development.

Contact information