IMPACT (Interreg Mechanism for Promoting Active Communities and Territories) is a two-year pilot project funded by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO) and implemented in cooperation with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
The project is open to cross-border regions across the European Union and neighbouring countries, with the aim of strengthening the capacities of local actors in border communities and enabling them to jointly plan and implement development strategies driven by the needs of their citizens.
What is the objective of the project?
- To support up to 30 cross-border pilot regions in the design and implementation of Community-Led Local Development (CLLD) strategies that reflect local priorities and translate them into concrete development actions.
- To strengthen cross-border cooperation, joint governance arrangements and the mobilisation of resources among partners on different sides of a border.
- To increase opportunities for networking, experience exchange and peer learning among regions, as well as engagement with institutions managing EU funds.
Who can apply?
The call is open to institutions and organisations with legal entity status located in border regions, including:
- regional and local authorities;
- non-governmental organisations and civil society organisations;
- Local Action Groups (LAGs);
- Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAGs);
- tourism organisations;
- European Groupings of Territorial Cooperation (EGTCs), Euroregions and similar cross-border cooperation structures.
Applications must include at least one partner from each side of the border, and in the case of tri-border regions, partners from all three sides.
What do selected regions receive?
Selected pilot regions will participate in a comprehensive support programme that includes:
- expert support for the design and implementation of CLLD strategies;
- peer learning and exchange with other cross-border teams;
- guidance on access to funding and networking with Interreg managing authorities;
- access to practical tools and guidelines for project planning.
The deadline for the first application round is 10 April 2026.
For more details on the project objectives, eligibility criteria and application procedure, please visit the official project page:
