European programmes under the Investment for Jobs and Growth goal are increasingly exploring how cooperation actions can help address shared regional challenges more effectively. Through exchanges facilitated by the Interact programme, managing authorities, policymakers, and practitioners are coming together to share experiences and discuss how cooperation can complement mainstream regional funding.
A recent exchange held in Arnhem, the Netherlands, brought together representatives from several EU Member States and European institutions. The meeting provided a platform for participants to reflect on how cooperation actions are being designed and implemented in real programme environments. The insights shared during the event continue to guide programmes that are developing or refining their cooperation strategies.
During the workshop, programme representatives shared their experiences through short video interviews. These testimonies highlighted the practical decisions involved in launching cooperation actions, the lessons learned during implementation, and the factors that help partnerships succeed. Participants emphasized that cooperation initiatives tend to work best when they respond directly to clearly identified territorial needs. When programmes align cooperation activities with specific regional challenges, the outcomes become more relevant and impactful for local communities.
Another key observation from the discussions was the importance of complementarity between different funding sources. When cooperation actions are coordinated with other funding programmes, they can support both experimentation and the practical implementation of solutions. This approach enables programmes to test innovative ideas while ensuring that successful initiatives can be scaled or integrated into mainstream development strategies.
Participants also stressed that building strong partnerships is essential for successful cooperation. Establishing trust among partners from different regions or countries requires time, consistent communication, and active engagement from the beginning of the process. Strong relationships between partners help ensure smoother project implementation and long-term collaboration.
The design of funding calls was another area highlighted during the exchange. Programme representatives noted that simple and clearly aligned calls are easier for potential beneficiaries to understand and participate in. Straightforward guidelines and well-defined objectives encourage greater participation and make cooperation initiatives more accessible to organizations interested in cross-border collaboration.
Another important consideration discussed during the workshop was the need for practical outcomes. Even when cooperation activities take place across borders, the results should remain applicable within each participating region. This ensures that the knowledge gained and solutions developed through international collaboration can be effectively used at the local level.
Cooperation actions themselves are a specific mechanism within the EU’s Cohesion Policy that allows programmes to collaborate with partners in other regions or countries on shared issues. These actions are financed through a programme’s own budget but involve external partners when such cooperation adds value to the programme area. They are particularly useful for addressing challenges that extend beyond national borders, drawing on the experience of Interreg initiatives, and developing joint solutions that can later be implemented locally.
The exchanges also highlighted that cooperation actions deliver the best results when they are integrated into a programme’s overall strategy rather than treated as isolated initiatives. Aligning cooperation activities with regional development priorities helps ensure that projects contribute meaningfully to long-term policy goals. Clear communication with beneficiaries and sustained partnerships are also crucial elements for successful implementation.
Finally, the discussions reinforced the value of learning from other programmes. By sharing experiences, challenges, and successful practices, managing authorities can adapt their approaches and improve how they use available funding. Such collaborative learning helps strengthen the effectiveness of cooperation actions and supports more coordinated regional development efforts across Europe.
