European territorial cooperation programmes 2021-2027: consultation

What is our starting point?

Scotland's Place in Europe sets out the Scottish Government's position following the result of the EU Referendum. It emphasises the importance Scotland places on EU cooperation and although the UK Government has yet to make a decision, the Scottish Government is keen to continue to take part in European Territorial Cooperation programmes.

The 2021-2027 programmes need to be designed according to the requirements set out in the EU Regulations. These have not been finalised, however they are expected to require programmes to support up to three of the following areas:

• a smarter Europe by promoting innovative and smart economic transformation

• greener, low-carbon Europe by promoting clean and fair energy transition, green and blue investment, the circular economy, climate adaptation and risk prevention and management

• more connected Europe by enhancing mobility and regional ICT connectivity

• a more social Europe implementing the European Pillar of Social Rights (e.g. increasing the socioeconomic integration of marginalised communities and groups, increasing access to quality employment and training, equal access to health care)

• Europe closer to citizens by fostering the sustainable and integrated development of urban, rural, coastal areas and local initiatives

In addition, programmes can also support two Interreg specific objectives:

• Better Interreg Governance (e.g. helping local authorities)

• A safer and more secure Europe, in particular: border crossing management, mobility and migrant management, protection and integration of migrants

Over August and September we held a number of stakeholder workshops to get people's views on the design of the future programmes. The European Policies Research Centre wrote a report on these (which is available online). This consultation builds on these workshops.