Innovative societies Water-smart societies Climate-neutral societiesÂ
Interreg makes
a difference!
Explore how people in the Baltic Sea region have been benefitting
from our projects.
#MadeWithInterreg solutions for
Inclusive communitiesÂ
Interreg proves that regardless of age, origin, economic status, situation or religion, we are always greater together.
What are we doing?
Sometimes, it is not about the topic that unites people. Sometimes, it is about the people themselves. Interreg projects have proven to be very successful in giving a voice to the people in the region to make sure that everyone, also coming from disadvantaged groups, is being heard. This is how Interreg is actively building trust beyond borders, bringing communities together. Ultimately, this inclusive approach brings a lot of creative ideas pushing forward the transition to a green and resilient region.
Examples of #MadeWithInterreg solutions:
- schemes for using cultural activities and art to co-create social and urban plans
- an online library packed with information about seniors, helping furniture manufacturers and others design products suitable for seniors
- public spaces adjusted to the needs of seniors, children and people with disabilities
- spreading good practices of participatory budgeting
- empowering disadvantaged people to design social services for themselves
- interactive gardens boosting the offer of health services
- mobility centres to improve accessibility and mobility in remote rural areas
- programmes to successfully integrate immigrants and refugees into the labour market and actively support entrepreneurship
What we’ve achieved so far
Since the early 2000s, Interreg projects have addressed the challenges of disadvantaged and marginalised groups and involved people into the processes. Young people actively co-created mobility plans and discussed concepts for a healthy, eco-sustainable and competitive city. Seniors learned how to stay actively employed longer, whereas young people got support for their start-up businesses. Over 50 youth-driven actions improved local surroundings in seven countries. Several hundred of young people improved their skills in governance, spatial development, sustainability and entrepreneurship thanks to tailored programmes whereas a new non-profit network, engaging young people, continued to drive the development of small and medium-sized places and rural areas around the Baltic Sea.
In the years 2014-2020, projects mobilised and engaged with people by means of participatory budgeting, which led to over 300 implemented projects reflecting the needs of local communities. Thanks to Interreg, cities opened up to cultural planning methods, which enabled the co-creation of urban spaces.
Instead of relying on social services, projects also showcased how to empower people in need instead. As a result, people from disadvantaged groups, e.g. single mothers, elderly and migrants, brought 35 micro-projects info life. Several of them turned into long-lasting initiatives.
Furthermore, projects equipped manufactures with the knowledge on how to design furniture for the elderly, and developed multiple prototypes of IC-driven furniture and equipment to adjust the public spaces to the needs of the elderly, children and people with disabilities.
Projects also looked into digital tools that address health-related needs of children and adolescents. To improve mobility and accessibility for people in remote areas, the projects co-created eco-friendly mobility service with seniors, developed mobility centres to pool from available mobility resources and pushed forward demand-responsive transport options.
Ongoing projects
The ongoing projects continue exploring ways to co-create attractive city spaces to live in. They also use creative methods to engage the youth in developing climate and sustainability plans for urban spaces.
Addressing people’s well-being, they showcase how experiencing the nature can improve health services and help children and others with traumatic experiences. Digital tools also assist children in their hospital visits.
The projects accompany young people in finding their place on the market and build up their communication competences. In order to ensure the steady inflow of skilled workforce and bringing communities together, Interreg projects help refugees and immigrants integrate successfully into labour markets, paying attention also to women refugees from Ukraine who aspire to start their own businesses in local communities.
Supporting the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region
Our projects play an important role in achieving the ambitious goals of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR) to increase prosperity in our region. In collaboration with the coordinators of the EUSBSR policy areas Innovation, Health, Spatial Planning, Culture, and Education, our projects promote social cohesion and develop inclusive solutions. These efforts ensure that citizens have a voice and actively engage in the life of our cities and regions, leaving no one behind.
