MEMO/08/485

Brussels, 7 July 2008

INTERREG IV Programme "Alpenrhein-Bodensee-Hochrhein": Germany – Austria – Switzerland – Lichtenstein

1. INTERREG IV Programme "Alpenrhein-Bodensee-Hochrhein" – Programme under the European Territorial Cooperation Objective, co-funded by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
[ Figures and graphics available in PDF and WORD PROCESSED ]

2. Overview

On 26 September 2007, the European Commission approved a cross-border cooperation programme (INTERREG IV) between Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein for the 2007-13 period

The INTERREG IV Programme "Alpenrhein-Bodensee-Hochrhein" involves Community support to the following regions:

Bodenseekreis, Konstanz, Schwarzwald-Baar-Kreis und Waldshut (Baden-Württemberg), Landkreis Lindau (Bodensee), Landkreis Oberallgäu and the kreisfreie Stadt Kempten (Allgäu) (Bayern) in Germany

das Land Vorarlberg in Austria, which is composed of the NUTS-III areas Bludenz-Bregenzer Wald and Rheintal-Bodenseegebiet (situated along the German-Austrian-Swiss-Lichtenstein border).

Other regions in the countries mentioned above can participate in projects as adjacent areas receiving a maximum of 20% of the funding allocated to the Programme.

The Operational Programme falls within the European Territorial Cooperation Objective framework and has a total budget of around € 39.8 million. Community funding through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) amounts to around € 23.9 million.

3. Purpose and aim of the programme

The overall objective of the programme is to promote sustainable development and economic competitiveness of the border region through an integrated and cross-border approach to economic, social and environmental development in ways that involve and benefit local people and communities.

The programme area is characterised by GDP growth several times higher than the EU-25 average. However, its particularity, which lies in the fact that member states and non-member states share common frontiers and common lake basins, thus creating two enclaves, does constitute a challenge.

Consequently, there is a clear need to develop regional competitiveness and innovation further and to improve the quality of the programme area as well as to improve the protection of resources.

4. Expected impact of the investments

The aim of the programme is to support regional competitiveness and innovation as well as to improve the quality of the programme area and the way resources will be protected.

5. Priorities

The programme focuses on the following priorities for co-operation in the geographic area concerned:

Priority 1: Regional competitiveness and innovation [approximately 47% of total funding]

Specific objectives of this priority include:

• transferring innovation and know how
• networking and co-operation
• mobilising human capital.

Priority 2: Quality of the Programme area and protection of its resources [approximately 47% of total funding]

Specific objectives of this priority include:

• increasing public appeal to the area
• maintaining and improving the infrastructure;
• preserving natural resources and cultural heritage, as well protecting against natural disasters.

Priority 3: Technical Assistance [approximately 6% of total funding]

The aim of this priority is to help the participating countries to implement the programme as effectively as possible.

6. Managing Authority: Regierungspräsidium Tübingen –Tübingen, Germany
Contact details:
Mr Gregor Cornelsen
Gemeinsames Sekretariat und Netzwerkstelle in Baden-Württemberg
Regierungspräsidium Tübingen
Konrad-Adenauer-Str. 20
D-72072 Tübingen
Germany

Telephone: +49 (7071)757-3240
Fax: +49 (7071)757-93240
E-mail: gregor.cornelsen@rpt.bwl.de
Website: http://www.interreg.org/

7. Title: Interreg IV Programme "Alpenrhein-Bodensee-Hochrhein 2007-2013" in the framework of the European Territorial Cooperation Objective

Intervention type: Operational Programme

CCI No.: 2007CB163PO024

No. of decision: C/2007/4345 final

Final approval date: 26/9/2007

8. Breakdown of finances by priority (in EUR)