Other EU Programmes

URBACT

URBACT is a European Programme which aims to foster the exchange of experience among European cities and the capitalisation-dissemination of knowledge on all issues related to sustainable urban development.  The URBACT II challenge is to improve the effectiveness of sustainable integrated urban development policies in Europe with a view to implementing  the European Lisbon-Gothenburg Strategy (Priority to Competitiveness, Growth and Jobs).

URBACT Objectives:

• Provide an exchange and learning tool for policy decision-makers, practitioners and other actors involved in developing urban policies. URBACT II is an exchange platform used to set up Thematic Networks and Working Groups, known as "Projects". Each project is essentially composed of cities, but local authorities, universities and research centres can also get involved.
• Learn from the exchanges between URBACT partners that share experiences and good practices. Draw conclusions and build on them using a thematic approach and expertise.
• Disseminate good practices and lessons learned from exchanges to all European cities. In this way, URBACT II encourages "cities to work for cities".
• Assist city policy-makers, practitioners and managers of operational programmes to define action plans. The URBACT activities must have an actual impact on local urban sustainable development practices and policies.

For more information, please see the URBACT website.

INTERACT

The INTERACT Programme promotes and supports good governance of European Territorial Cooperation Programmes.

• Targets the institutions and bodies responsible for the management and delivery of European Territorial Cooperation Programmes
• Provides assistance to programmes throughout their programme life-cycle.
• Focuses on management techniques, issues related to strategic orientation, and to institutional and thematic networks
• Operates by constantly seeking out the users' point of view and involving them as much as possible in delivery of the programme
• Creates and strengthens a cycle of exchange - learning from each other and together to strengthen territorial cooperation

For more information, please see the INTERACT website

ESPON

The purpose of the ESPON 2013 (the European Observation Network for Territorial Development and Cohesion) programme is to support policy development in relation to the aim of territorial cohesion and a harmonious development of the European territory.

The programme budget of €47 mill is part-financed at the level of 75 % by the European Regional Development Fund under Objective 3 for European Territorial Cooperation. The rest is financed by 31 countries participating, 27 EU Member States and Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

Potential recipients

Public and private bodies (research institutions, universities, scientists, experts, academic teams) from 31 countries (EU 27 Member States (external link), Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) are invited to apply.

For more information, please see the ESPON website.