INTERREG III is one of the four programmes of Community initiatives established by the European Commission intended to support a harmonious, balanced and durable development of the European territory over the period 2000 - 2006.

What are the general objectives of INTERREG III ?

     - To contribute to a harmonious territorial integration of all the community.
     - To encourage trans-national , trans-border and inter-regional co-operation,
     - To create a real involvement of European organisations by supporting collective projects involving partners from several countries.

Following the basis of the previous INTERREG programs , this new phase of the initiative has a budget of 4 875 billion euros for the period 2000-2006 which is divided between 3 strands :
     - Strand A : Cross-border co-operation between neighbouring territories which also have coasts bordering certain maritime areas in order to implement common strategies of development.
     - Strand B : Trans-national co-operation between national, regional and local authorities within large geographical areas pre-determined by the European Commission and the Member States. Thirteen spaces have been thus defined: Atlantic Area, North West Europe, South West Europe etc...
     - Strand C : Inter-regional co-operation between networking of organisations from several non-bordering areas, without geographical limitation, of the European Union, possibly also involving regions in other countries , in particular those candidates seeking EU membership. Four spaces were thus defined: North, South, East and West.

The principal challenges for this new phase of INTERREG is to exploit the positive experiences of true co-operation undertaken in the original Programmes and to gradually develop structures to extend this type of co- operation not only throughout the Community, but also within the EU's relationship to neighbouring countries.

The Atlantic Area covers a surface of 856 420 km2 and has a population of 76.1 million. This geographical area, which is on the periphery in comparison to the geographical and economic centres of Europe, is characterized by certain heterogeneity in geographical and economic terms . Similarly it presents a level of development and economic integration weak in comparison to the "centre" of Europe. However the existence of common cultural and historical elements, connected inter alia with the proximity of the Atlantic Ocean, creates a unity amongst the area , which makes co-operation an essential factor.

The Atlantic trans-national area consists of territory relating to five European Member States. T he geographical area includes the following regions :

     - Spain : Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, Navarra, País Vasco, La Rioja, Castilla y Léon, Andalucia (Huelva, Cadiz and Seville) Canarias

     - France : Aquitaine, Poitou-Charentes, Pays de la Loire, Brittany, Basse-Normandie, Haute Normandie, Limousin, Centre, Midi-Pyrénées.

     - Ireland : The entire territory.

     - Portugal : The entire territory .

     - United Kingdom : Cumbria, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Merseyside, Worcestershire and Warwickshire, Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, Dorset and Somerset, Devon and Cornwall, Staffordshire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, West Midlands, all 22 Unitary Authorities in Wales, Northern Ireland, Highlands and Islands, South Western Scotland.

The main objectives of the “Atlantic Area “ programme are to encourage the coherence and cohesion of the Area and to improve its economic competitiveness and its efficiency, in order to overcome the handicaps of a peripheral location compared to the more central regions of the Union. In addition it s eeks to promote sustainable development projects through integrated strategies and territorial development that harmonise social, economic and environmental objectives, by respecting conservation issues and the cultural, historical and environmental assets of the Area.

The programme's priorities have been established from an analysis of the strengths , weaknesses , opportunities and threats relative to the Atlantic Area . The Member States and Regions taking part in the programme identified five priorities.

PRIORITY A : Polycentric Structuring of the area and development of Centres of Excellence
PRIORITY B : The development of sustainable transport systems to ensure mobility within the Atlantic Area and to improve access to the information society
PRIORITY C : Promoting the environment, the sustainable management of economic activities and natural resources
PRIORITY D : Strengthening and promoting the identity of the Atlantic in a global context.
PRIORITE E : Technical assistance

PRIORITY A: Polycentric Structuring of the area and development of Centres of Excellence

This priority concerns the measures aimed at the polycentric structuring of the area and promotion and development of Centres of Excellence. The projects to be financed will concern the creation of urban networking, the promotion and development of rural Centres of Excellence and territorial studies. All these actions are envisaged to promote the competitiveness of the area regarding technological development and research. (The contribution of the EU Community 28.2 million euros.)

     - MEASURE A-1 : DEVELOPMENT OF THE ATLANTIC AREA AS A RECOGNISED TERRITORY :
Principal objectives :
· To promote the development of urban networking, the creation of links between towns, and working relationships between urban, rural and local areas
· The promotion of co-operation between a cross-section of organisations, partnerships between the private and public sectors and the participation of socio-professional networks
· To support the creation of a network of observation and research-action for Atlantic Area regional planning

     - MEASURE A-2 : THE PROMOTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF CENTRES OF EXCELLENCE :
Principal objectives :
· To promote the competitiveness of the Atlantic Area as regards technological development
· To increase exchange of information regarding research and technological developments

PRIORITY B: The development of sustainable transport systems to ensure mobility within the Atlantic Area and to improve access to the information society.

This priority aims to optimise the existing systems of, and research into, transport within the Atlantic Area including multi-modal development and the improvement of the access of the general public to the information society and the communication system (TIC). These projects should be able to build upon pilot projects to ensure the improvement of accessibility within the Atlantic Area, the development of maritime, rail and air activity, as well as improving maritime safety along the Atlantic coast . It aims also to make the Atlantic Area part of the information society and to promote the use of new communication techniques by the general public and economic players. (The contribution of the EU Community 33.6 million euros.)

     - MEASURE B-1 : DEVELOPMENT OF SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT SYSTEMS TO ENSURE MOBILITY WITHIN THE ATLANTIC AREA :
Principal objectives :
· To promote interregional accessibility and the development of intermodiality
· To ensure the development of maritime and port activity and to improve rail and air transport
· To contribute to the improvement of maritime safely along the Atlantic Coast

     - MEASURE B-2 : IMPROVING ACCESS TO THE INFORMATION SOCIETY :
Principal objectives :
· To optimise the inclusion of the Information Society in the Atlantic Area
· To encourage the use of NICTs by economic participants in the Atlantic Area.

PRIORITY C: PROMOTING THE ENVIRONMENT, SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES AND NATURAL RESOURCES

This priority is centred on actions which safeguard the environment and natural resources together with the good management of water resources including flood prevention and pollution prevention. It is designed to promote trans-national co-operation and durable tools and practices to prevent pollution on a trans-national scale . The envisaged activities will be in line with that which was outlined in the Area Development Strategy and will contribute to the development of a European network for environmental protection (Natura 2000 Network). (The contribution of the EU Community 29.4 million euros.)

     - MEASURE C-1 : PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES :
Principal objectives :
· To safeguard the biodiversity of the Atlantic Area
· To promote the sustainable management of water resources, water quality and flood prevention
· To prevent pollution

     - MEASURE C-2 : INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT OF COASTAL AREAS AND ESTUARIES, PROTECTION OF WETLANDS
Principal promote objectives :
· To develop the natural inheritance of the littoral zones and the wetlands of the Atlantic Area

     - MEASURE C-3 : INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT OF COASTAL AREAS AND ESTUARIES, PROTECTION OF WETLANDS :
Principal objectives :
· To promote and support the exchange of respectful practices of the environment in industry and in the sectors of agriculture, silviculture, fishing and the aquaculture
· To ensure the promotion of renewable energies
· To contribute to the development of environmental technologies

PRIORITY D : STRENGTHENING AND PROMOTING THE ATLANTIC IDENTITY IN A CONTEXT OF GLOBALISATION

The aim of this is to reinforce the identity of the Atlantic Area in terms of heritage and culture, to encourage the creation and promotion of tourism and to encourage the economic promotion of the area within the European Community. (The contribution of the EU Community 18.3 million euros.)

     - MEASURE D-1 : PROMOTING ATLANTIC CULTURES AND HERITAGE BY ENCOURAGING CULTURAL CREATIVITY. THE CONTRIBUTION OF CULTURE TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Principal objectives :
·To encourage the development of strategies for the protection and improvement of the culture and heritage of the Atlantic Area

     - MEASURE D-2 : DESIGNING AND PROMOTING ATLANTIC TOURISM PRODUCTS
Principal objectives :
· To create and improve upon the identity and attractions of the Atlantic Area and highlight it desirability as a tourist destination

     - MEASURE D-3 : MARKETING THE ATLANTIC AREA :
Principal objectives :
· To participate in joint ventures of promotion of the area
· To provide support for the extension of the European Union
· To create systems for the dissemination of generic information internally and externally

PRIORITY E : TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

A contribution of 9.5 million euros is reserved for the efficient management of the INTERREG III B ATLANTIC AREA Programme.

     - MEASURE E-1 : GENERAL MANAGEMENT OF THE PROGRAMME
     - MEASURE E-2 : COMPLEMANTARY ACTIVITIES RELATING TO TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE