Artikelen bij COM(2025)552 - European Fund for Regional Development including for European Territorial Cooperation (Interreg) and the Cohesion Fund as part of the Fund set out in Regulation (EU) […] [NRP] and establishing conditions for the implementation of the Union support to regional development from 2028 to 2034

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dossier COM(2025)552 - European Fund for Regional Development including for European Territorial Cooperation (Interreg) and the Cohesion Fund as ...
document COM(2025)552 EN
datum 16 juli 2025


CHAPTER I

General provisions

Inhoudsopgave

Article 1 - Subject matter

This Regulation lays down specific conditions for the implementation of Union support in accordance with the general objectives laid down in Article 2 of Regulation (EU) [NRP Regulation], and in particular point (a) and (e) thereof.

It also lays down the provisions necessary for the implementation of Union support for the promotion of European territorial cooperation (‘Interreg’) with a view to fostering cooperation between Member States and their regions inside the Union and between Member States, their regions and third countries, partner countries, other territories or overseas countries and territories (OCTs), or regional integration and cooperation organisations.

This Union support shall be provided under the National and Regional Partnership Fund, in accordance with the rules governing that Fund and set out in Regulation (EU) [NRP Regulation].

Article 2 -   Support from the ERDF and Cohesion Fund

The ERDF and the Cohesion Fund shall support the specific objectives set out in Regulation (EU) [NRP Regulation] contributing to the general objective set out in Article 2(1)(a) of Regulation (EU) [NRP Regulation] in accordance with their respective scope set out in Articles 176 and 177 TFEU.

Article 3 - Definitions

(1) ‘European Territorial Cooperation (Interreg)’ means cooperation between Member States and their regions inside the Union and between Member States, their regions and non-Member States financed, or regional integration and cooperation organisations, by the National and Regional Partnership Fund and, where applicable, by the Global Europe Instrument.

(2) ‘Non-Member State’ means territories of third or partner countries as well as overseas countries and territories of Member States.

For the purpose of this Chapter, where provisions in Articles 69 [Responsibilities of Member States], 70 [Submission of the annual assurance package], 74 [Data collection and recording], and 77 [Submission and assessment of payment applications] of Regulation (EU) [NRP Regulation] refer to a ‘Member State’, that term shall be construed as meaning ‘the Member State hosting the managing authority’.

Article 4 - Support for disadvantaged areas

1. In accordance with Article 174 TFEU, Member States shall pay special attention to addressing the challenges of disadvantaged regions and areas, in particular rural areas, areas affected by industrial transition, regions which suffer from severe and permanent natural or demographic handicaps, such as the northernmost regions with very low population density and island, cross-border and mountain regions, and also just transition areas and regions bordering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. Member States and regions shall, where appropriate, set out an integrated approach to addressing demographic challenges or specific needs of the regions and areas referred to in this paragraph in their National and Regional Partnership Plans in accordance with Articles 72 to 74 [integrated local and urban development] of Regulation (EU) [NRP Regulation]. Such an integrated approach may include a commitment on dedicated funding for that purpose and may be included in dedicated chapters of the National Regional and Partnership Plan.

Article 5 - Sustainable urban development

As part of their territorial development, Member States shall support integrated urban development strategies which focus on sustainable development and tackle environmental, energy and climate challenges, in particular the fair transition towards a clean and climate-neutral and resilient economy by 2050, paying special attention to housing, poverty, cultural heritage and to harnessing the potential of digital technologies for innovation purposes and energy efficiency, to supporting the development of functional urban areas, as well as supporting urban-rural linkages.

Article 6 - Outermost regions

Measures shall be established in the National and Regional Partnership Plans to cover structural support for their economic, social and territorial development and operating costs or compensation including for the provision of services under a public service obligation and contracts in those regions with a view to offsetting the additional costs incurred in the outermost regions as a result of one or more of the permanent restraints to their development listed in Article 349, first paragraph, TFEU.

CHAPTER II

Interreg Plan

Article 7 - Scope

1. Interreg shall focus on supporting the following strands of cooperation:

(a)cooperation between adjacent regions to promote integrated and harmonious regional development between neighbouring land and maritime border regions (cross-border cooperation);

(b)cooperation over larger transnational territories or around sea basins, involving national, regional and local partners in Member States and non-Member States with a view to achieving a higher degree of territorial integration (transnational cooperation);

(c)cooperation to reinforce the effectiveness of cohesion policy by promoting exchange of experiences, innovative approaches and capacity building (interregional cooperation);

(d)cooperation among outermost regions and with their neighbouring non-Member States or regional integration and cooperation organisations to facilitate their regional integration and harmonious development in their neighbourhood (outermost regions’ cooperation).

Unless this Regulation sets specific requirements, cooperation between two or more European partners, none of which are Member States or their regions, shall be conducted in accordance with the specific rules set out in Regulation XX [Global Europe].

2. Interreg Plan chapters supporting cross-border cooperation, transnational cooperation and interregional cooperation shall be implemented in shared management. Contributions from the Global Europe Instrument included in chapters supporting outermost regions’ cooperation may be implemented in shared or in indirect management. The cooperation programmes referred to in paragraph 1 co-financed by the National and Regional Partnership Fund may receive contributions from the pillars referred to in points (a), (b), (c) and (e) of Article 3(1) of Regulation XX [Global Europe Instrument].

3. The rules set out in Regulation (EU) [NRP Regulation] shall apply to the Interreg Plan, except where more specific rules are set out in this Regulation for the implementation of the Interreg Plan.

4. In addition to the specific objectives set out in Article 3, points (a) and (c), of Regulation (EU) [NRP Regulation], Interreg shall support “better cooperation governance”, “a safer and more secure Europe” and “more resilient regions bordering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine”.

5. In the case of the PEACE PLUS cross-border programme, where it is acting in support of peace and reconciliation, the ERDF, as a specific objective under general objective (a) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) [NRP Regulation], shall also contribute to promoting social, economic and regional stability in the regions concerned, in particular through actions to promote cohesion between communities.

6. Articles XX [Loan support], XX [Loan agreement and borrowing and lending operations] and XX [mid-term review] and Article 14(2) [25% flexibility amount] of Regulation (EU) [NRP ] shall not apply to the Interreg Plan.

Article 8 - Requirements for the Interreg Plan chapters

1. The Interreg Plan shall include Interreg Plan chapters. Each chapter shall correspond to cooperation in a given geographical area.

2. The Member State hosting the prospective managing authority shall submit an Interreg Plan chapter to the Commission at the latest six months after the entry into force of this Regulation on behalf of all participating Member States and non-Member States.

3. Each chapter of the Interreg Plan shall set out the following elements in line with the template set out in the Annex to this Regulation. The Interreg Plan chapter shall:

(a)indicate the strand of Interreg cooperation concerned and geographical coverage;

(b)describe the intervention strategy of the Interreg Plan chapter based on a clear analysis of territorial needs and gaps in the area covered, identifying the measures for cooperation, including any measures for territorial or local developement and explaining how these measures are expected to contribute to the objectives set out in Articles 2 and 3 [policy objectives] of Regulation (EU) [NRP Regulation] and the Interreg-specific objectives referred to in paragraph 4 of Article 7 of this Regulation and to transition to climate neutrality;

(c)provide a list and description of measures, including the general and specific objectives that each measure primarily pursues and the list of envisaged milestones and targets, with their indicative completion date during the programming period. The indicators proposed for the targets shall be based on the output indicators listed in Annex I to Regulation XX [Performance] except where duly justified;

(d)set out the total estimated costs of the measures together with information on existing or planned Union financing where relevant, backed up by appropriate justification and by explanations of how it is in line with the principle of cost efficiency, sound financial management and commensurate to the expected economic and social impact;

(e)set out clear arrangements for the effective monitoring and implementation of the Interreg Plan chapter by each Member State, including the responsible authorities and created monitoring committees reflecting the objective of establishing a robust multi governance system based on the partnership principle, and also the envisaged approach to information, communication and visibility in line with the rules laid down in Regulation xx[Performance Regulation];

(f)promote partnership and knowledge exchange by setting out which stakeholders have been consulted, how they were selected, how their representativeness has been ensured and how their input is reflected in the Interreg Plan chapter in line with the code of conduct on partnership, and by including a summary of the consultation process conducted for the preparation of the Interreg Plan chapter;

(g)set out the apportionment of liabilities among the participating Member States and, where applicable, non-Member States, in the event of financial corrections imposed by the managing authority or the Commission in accordance with the rules governing the NRP Fund and set out in Regulation (EU) [NRP Regulation];

(h)explain the arrangements and systems to ensure a regular, effective and efficient use of Union resources, in compliance with sound financial management and the protection of the financial interests of the Union.

Article 9 - Approval and amendment of the Interreg Plan

1. The Commission shall adopt an implementing act, in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 13(2) [Committee Procedure], setting out:

(a)the list of Interreg Plan chapters, the designation of the respective chapter areas and the indicative allocation from the Fund and, where applicable, from the Global Europe Instrument;

(b)where appropriate, detailed arrangements covering the specific implementation modalities of Interreg to ensure a consistent approach. 

The elements referred to in the first subparagraph, point (a) shall be established on the basis of the information provided by each Member State on the planned distribution of its share in the Interreg Plan allocation pursuant to the methodology established in Annex I [Methodology for the calculation of the financial contribution for each Member state under the Fund] to Regulation (EU) [NRP Regulation].

The implementing act referred to in the first [sub]paragraph shall constitute the general part of the Interreg Plan.

2. The Commission shall assess the Interreg Plan chapters or the amended Interreg Plan chapters submitted by the Member State hosting the managing authority within 4 months of their submission. When carrying out its assessment, the Commission shall verify that the Interreg Plan chapter complies with all requirements in Article 5 and follows the template set out in the Annex to this Regulation [Interreg chapter template]. The Commission may make observations and request additional information. The deadline for the approval shall be interrupted from the day following the date following that on which Commission sends its observations or a request for revised documents to the Member State and until the Member State responds to the Commission.

3. Where the Interreg Plan chapters or the amended Interreg Plan chapters submitted by the Member State hosting the managing authority fulfill all the requirements in Article 8 and follow the template set out in the Annex to this Regulation, the Commission shall, by means of an implementing act, approve those Interreg Plan chapters [or amended Interreg Plan chapters]

4. Following the approval of Interreg Plan chapters pursuant to paragraph 3, the Commission may, by means of implementing acts, approve the Interreg Plan chapters submitted subsequently fulfilling all the requirements referred to Article 8 [Requirements for the Interreg Plan chapters] and following the template set out in the Annex to this Regulation [Interreg chapter template] every three months. In other cases, the Commission may approve modifications to the Interreg Plan chapters every six months, following a request by the Member State hosting the managing authority.

5. The implementing acts provided for in paragraphs 3 and 4 shall set out for each Interreg Plan chapter:

(a)the total estimated costs of the Interreg chapter, established by the Commission on the basis of a proposal by the Member State hosting the managing authority;

(b)the amount of the financial contribution from Regulation (EU) [NRP Regulation] and, where applicable, the amount of the financial contribution from the Global Europe Instrument and the amount of national contribution other than national co-financing;

(c)the amount of the total Union contribution per year, as referred to in Article 14 [commitment] of Regulation (EU) [NRP Regulation]; 

(d)the amount of pre-financing to be paid and whether the pre-financing is to be paid in full in the year of approval of the chapter or in tranches in accordance with paragraph 2 of Article 17 of Regulation (EU) [NRP Regulation].

6. The decision approving the relevant Interreg Plan chapter shall constitute a financing decision within the meaning of Article 110(1) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509 and its notification to the Member State hosting the managing authority shall constitute a legal commitment. 

7. The amount of the Union financial contribution, national contribution by non-Member States and national co-financing envisaged under the Interreg Plan chapter, taken in their total, shall not exceed the total estimated costs of the chapter.

Article 10 - Functions of authorities responsible for the Interreg Plan chapter and the monitoring committee

1. Member States and, where applicable, non-Member States participating in an Interreg Plan chapter shall identify a single managing authority and a single audit authority which shall be located in the same Member State. A coordinating authority as referred to in Article 49 of Regulation (EU) [NRP Regulation] shall not be identified for the Interreg Plan.

2. In addition to Article 50  of Regulation (EU) [NRP Regulation], each managing authority of an Interreg Plan chapter shall be responsible for managing the chapter with a view to delivering its objectives and shall be responsible for:

(a)drawing up and submitting payment applications for the chapter of the Interreg Plan to the Commission in accordance with Article 63 [payments] of Regulation (EU) [NRP Regulation];

(b)providing forecasts of the amount for payment applications to be submitted for the current and subsequent calendar year by 15 February and 31 July in accordance with the template in Annex X [payment forecasts] to Regulation (EU) [NRP Regulation];

(c)signing and providing the management declaration referred to in Article XX(1) point (a) [Annual assurance package] of Regulation (EU) [NRP Regulation] in accordance with the template set out in Annex XII to that Regulation;

(d)coordinating and submitting to the Commission all the documents requested as part of the annual assurance package referred to in Article 70 [annual assurance package] of Regulation (EU) [NRP Regulation].

3. The Member State and, where applicable, the non-Member State participating in the Interreg Plan chapter, may decide that management verifications referred to in Article XX [function of the managing authority] of Regulation (EU) [NRP Regulation] are to be done through the identification by each Member State of a body or person responsible for such verification in its territory. The Commission may lay down further requirements to be met by such bodies or persons in the implementing act provided for in Article 9(1) [approval and amendment of the Interreg Plan.

4. The managing authority shall be assisted by the joint secretariat, with staff representing States participating in the Interreg Plan chapter. The joint secretariat shall assist the managing authority and the monitoring committee in carrying out their respective functions. The joint secretariat shall also provide information to potential beneficiaries about funding opportunities under Interreg programmes and shall assist beneficiaries and partners in the implementation of operations.

5. In addition to the rules laid down in Article 52 [functions of the audit authority] of Regulation (EU) [NRP Regulation], for the purpose of the Interreg Plan chapters, where the audit authority does not have the authorisation to carry out its tasks in the whole territory covered by a cooperation programme, it shall be assisted by a group of auditors composed of a representative from each Member State and, where applicable, non-Member States participating in the Interreg programme. Each Member State and, where applicable, non-Member State shall be responsible for audits carried out on its territory.

6. A monitoring committee shall be established for each Interreg Plan chapter. The monitoring committee shall be responsible for selection of Interreg operations, in accordance with the Interreg Plan chapter’s strategy and objectives. The Commission may lay down further requirements to be met by the monitoring committee in the implementing act provided for in Article 9(1) [approval and amendment of the Interreg plan].

Article 11 - Provisions for non-Member States

1. The contribution from Regulation (EU) [ NRP Regulation] to the Interreg Plan chapters to be also supported from the Global Europe Instrument, including for outermost regions, shall be established by the Commission and the Member States concerned. The contribution established for each Member State shall not subsequently be reallocated between the Member States concerned. The respective contributions from the Global Europe Instrument to Interreg Plan chapters shall take account of the involvement of Member States and the beneficiaries of the Global Europe Instrument. Support provided under Regulation (EU) (EU) [NRP Regulation] shall be granted to external cross-border cooperation chapters provided that proportionate amounts are provided by the Global Europe Instrument.

2. For the implementation of an Interreg Plan chapter under shared management in a non-Member State, a financing agreement shall be concluded between the Commission, representing the Union, and each participating non-Member State, represented in accordance with its national legal framework. That financing agreement shall be considered to be a tool to implement the Union budget in accordance with Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509.

The Member State hosting the managing authority of the relevant Interreg Plan chapter, represented in accordance with its national legal framework, may also be a party to the financing agreement.

Where a non-Member State is required to transfer to the managing authority a financial contribution to support the Interreg Plan chapter, other than its co-financing of the Union support (‘national contribution’), the rules concerning the national contribution shall be set out in the financing agreement.

Any financing agreement shall be concluded by 31 December of the year following the year when the first budget commitment was made and shall be considered to be concluded on the date when the last party has signed it. Where an Interreg Plan chapter involves more than one third country, at least one financing agreement shall be concluded before the date of signature specified in the first sentence.

3. Where the implementation of an operation requires procurement of service, supply or works contracts by a beneficiary which is a public authority located in a non-Member State, that beneficiary may apply either of the following:

(a)national laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the non-Member State concerned provided that the financing agreement allows it and that the contract is awarded to the tender offering best value for money, or, as appropriate, to the tender offering the lowest price, while avoiding any conflict of interests;

(b)the procurement procedures provided for in Articles 181 and 182 of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509.

Article 12 - Return of resources and discontinuation

1. If, by [2029 or] 2030, the Interreg Plan chapter has not been submitted to the Commission by 31 March of the year concerned, the annual contribution from the NRP to that Interreg Plan chapter shall be re-allocated to another Interreg Plan chapter in which the Member State concerned participates.

2. If, by 31 March 2031, there are still Interreg Plan chapters, which have not been submitted to the Commission, the contribution from the NRP to those Interreg Plan chapters for the remaining years up to 2034, which has not been re-allocated to another Interreg Plan chapter shall be allocated to the Interreg Plan chapter in which the Member State concerned participates. 

3. Any Interreg Plan chapter that has already been approved by the Commission shall be discontinued or its allocation shall be reduced, in accordance with the applicable rules and procedures, in particular if:

i. none of the partner countries covered by the external cross-border Interreg Plan chapter concerned has signed the relevant financing agreement by the deadlines set out in accordance with Article [XX] of the Interreg Plan; or

ii. the Interreg Plan chapter cannot be implemented as planned due to problems in the relations between the participating countries.

In cases referred to in the first subparagraph, the contribution from the NRP referred to in paragraph 1 corresponding to annual instalments not yet committed, or annual instalments committed and decommitted totally or partially during the same budgetary year, which have not been re-allocated to another Interreg Plan chapter shall be allocated to another Interreg Plan chapter in which the Member State concerned participates.

4. The contribution from [external funds] reduced pursuant to this Article shall be used in accordance with the [Global Europe] Regulation respectively.

Article 13 - PEACE PLUS

1. A PEACE PLUS chapter shall cover cooperation between the border counties of Ireland and Northern Ireland, which shall be implemented under shared management both in Ireland and in the United Kingdom.

2. The Special EU Programmes Body, where it is identified as the managing authority, shall be considered to be located in a Member State.

3. The financial contribution to Union activities from the United Kingdom for its participation in the PEACE PLUS chapter, in the form of external assigned revenue as referred to in Article 21(2), point (e), of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509, shall be part of the budget appropriations for [Heading 1, [...], sub-programme ‘Interreg Plan’].

4. Where the PEACE PLUS chapter is acting in support of peace and reconciliation, it shall also contribute to promoting social, economic and regional stability in the regions concerned, in particular through actions to promote cohesion between communities.

5. Where the PEACE PLUS chapter is acting in support of peace and reconciliation, operations being supported may have partners from only one participating country.

CHAPTER III

Final provisions

Article 14 - Committee procedure

The Commission shall be assisted by a committee which shall be set up in accordance with Article 88 [NRP].

Article 15 - Entry into force and application

This Regulation shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

It shall apply from the date of application of Regulation (EU) […] establishing the European Fund for economic, social and territorial cohesion, agriculture and rural, maritime, prosperity and security for the period 2028-2034.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States in accordance with the Treaties