Some Flagships are primarily funded by the regular budgets of the project makers, whereas others are financed either by special allocations of the European Commission or by one of the regional funding programmes. In principle, there are no strict requirements as to which source(s) of funding, a Flagship could turn to. Thus, private funding could also play a role.
The EU budget operates in seven year cycles. The most recent cycle ended in 2013 and the current period is covering 2014-2020.
The below list can be considered as inspiration, and not as an exhaustive list of funding opportunities. Also please be aware of the EuroAccess Macro-Regions which is an online info point and search tool for EU funding. Further information is available at the EuroAccess Macro-Regions.
EUSBSR Seed Money Facility for the development of potential Flagships
The EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region has a Seed Money Facility to foster new projects. Seed Money is EU funding allocated to prepare projects that contribute to a Policy Area or Horizontal Action of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region.
Partners that receive Seed Money funding will draft a project plan that can be further developed into an application to any of the EU or national funding sources e.g. the European Structural & Investment Funds programmes 2014-2020. The Seed Money Facility is handled by Investitionsbank Schleswig Holstein. As Policy Area Coordinators and Horizontal Action Coordinators take part in the decision making process, early contact with those is highly recommended. Further information available at EUSBSR.
Initial "seed-funding" for projects and funding for certain small-scale projects
The Swedish Institute's Baltic Sea Unit (formerly SIDAs Baltic Sea Unit) provides Seed Money and funding for certain types of projects, including projects of relevance for the EUSBSR. Information can be obtained at The Swedish Institute.
EU Territorial Cooperation programmes
The Interreg programmes are initiatives that aim to stimulate cooperation between regions in the European Union. They started in 1989, and are financed under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
The current programme is called Interreg Europe, covering the period 2014-2020. The objectives of the individual programmes vary, and the focus of each programme may also deviate over time. In order to learn about the focus and criteria for each programme, please study the website and contact the programme concerned.
The secretariats of the respective programmes are often most helpful to assist potential project makers. We suggest that you make use of this assistance at an early stage in your project considerations.
Examples of Interreg programmes in the Baltic Sea area include:
- Baltic Sea Programme (covers all of the Baltic Sea Region)
- Central Baltic Programme (covers parts of Sweden, Finland, Åland, Estonia & Latvia)
- South Baltic Programme (covers parts of Denmark, Poland, Sweden, Lithuania and Germany)Öresund, Kattegat & Skagerrak programme (covers parts of Denmark, Sweden and Norway)
- Botnia-Atlantica programme (covers parts of Sweden and Finland)
- Estonia-Latvia programme (covers Estonia and Latvia)
- Latvia-Lithuania programme (covers Latvia and Lithuania)
- Northern Programme (covers parts of Norway, Finland and Sweden)
- North Sea Region Programme (covers the North Sea Countries, of which some are also border the Baltic Sea Region, such as Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Germany)
- Interreg Europe includes all of the European Union, and thus also the Baltic Sea Region.
Other European funding programmes
The Trans European Transport Network Programme (TEN-T) – is one of the most important means of infrastructure funding in the EU. TEN-T funding opportunities are open to all EU Member States or, with the agreement of the Member States concerned, international organisations, joint undertakings, or public/private undertakings or bodies. Funding in TEN-T grants can support studies or works which contribute to TEN-T programme objectives.
Infrastructure - TEN-T - Connecting Europe
Proposals for addition of more relevant funding opportunities are welcome. Please contact the Policy Area Coordinators.