Strategic call for capitalisation
The call is open until 27 November 2025, 16:00 CET
Apply now to reduce border effects
Central Europe is a complex functional area characterised by geographic proximity as well as spatial interactions and functional linkages in various sectors of the economy, governance and public policies. Our programme area is marked by 15 national borders and many internal ones, which often hinder cooperation between regions and the overall development of the area.
Negative effects of borders are already tackled locally by several Interreg cross-border programmes. At the same time, our transnational projects are delivering solutions along functional linkages beyond national and internal border areas. We therefore see the potential to team up efforts between cross-border and transnational projects to strengthen the impact of Interreg for the benefit of central Europe.
With our final call for proposals, we invite organisations from across central Europe to submit transnational cooperation ideas for strategic projects for capitalisation that will “reduce the effects of borders on flows and functional linkages among central European regions, for a more competitive and resilient central Europe.
Read further to learn more about the key elements of the call and how we support you in the process of developing your project ideas and building strong partnerships.
Call launch
29 September 2025
Call closure
27 November 2025
Assessment
First half of 2026
Selection of proposals
Summer 2026
Relevant documents
Application package
The application package for this call contains the legal framework and detailed information about the call and the projects we aim to fund.
Key documents
General information about rules and requirements to be observed when applying with us can be found in the programme manual and strategic documents such as the Interreg Programme (IP).
Thematic scope
Strategic projects for capitalisation can be submitted in all priorities and specific objectives and they can address, without any restriction, all topics listed per specific objective in chapter 2 of the Interreg Programme (IP) document.
We encourage applicants, however, to address topics that are linked to the most significant central European territorial challenges and that show a high potential for capitalising existing outputs and results. Topics that fit these two characteristics are indicated below for each priority (non-exhaustive list).
Priority 1: Cooperating for a smarter central Europe
SO 1.1 Strengthening innovation capacities in central Europe
Ideas are welcome in all relevant topics of this specific objective. Among others, the following topics show a good potential for capitalisation:
→ Innovation management in SMEs
→ Health care (innovation) and silver economy
SO 1.2 Strengthening skills for smart specialisation, industrial transition and entrepreneurship
Ideas are welcome in all relevant topics of this specific objective. Among others, the following topics show a good potential for capitalisation:
→ Entrepreneurship
→ Matching skills to labour market needs of regions in industrial and digital transition
Our funded projects are already working on a broad range of topics within each specific objective. Explore the thematic areas they are addressing and identify potential synergies for your own project.
Please note, the project proposals addressing topics with higher potentials will not have any specific advantage in the assessment and selection process. More information is available in chapter 9 of the Terms of Reference.
Priority 2: Cooperating for a greener central Europe
SO 2.1: Supporting the energy transition to climate-neutral central Europe
Ideas are welcome in all relevant topics of this specific objective.
SO 2.2: Increasing the resilience to climate change risks in central Europe
Ideas are welcome in all relevant topics of this specific objective. Among others, the following topics show a good potential for capitalisation:
→ Risk awareness, prevention and management such as for forest fires, floods, landslides and erosion
→ Climate change adaptation
SO 2.3: Taking circular economy forward in central Europe
Ideas are welcome in all relevant topics of this specific objective.
SO 2.4: Safeguarding the environment in central Europe
Ideas are welcome in all relevant topics of this specific objective. Among others, the following topics show a good potential for capitalisation:
→ Biodiversity conservation and recovery
→ Protection of ecosystems and sustainable management
SO2.5: Greening urban mobility in central Europe
Ideas are welcome in all relevant topics of this specific objective.
Our funded projects are already working on a broad range of topics within each specific objective. Explore the thematic areas they are addressing and identify potential synergies for your own project.
Please note, the project proposals addressing topics with higher potentials will not have any specific advantage in the assessment and selection process. More information is available in chapter 9 of the Terms of Reference.
Priority 3: Cooperating for a better connected central Europe
SO 3.1 Improving transport connections of rural and peripheral regions
Ideas are welcome in all relevant topics of this specific objective. Among others, the following topics show a good potential for capitalisation:
→ Accessibility of peripheral areas including digital transport solutions, transport strategies and planning
Our funded projects are already working on a broad range of topics within each specific objective. Explore the thematic areas they are addressing and identify potential synergies for your own project.
Please note, the project proposals addressing topics with higher potentials will not have any specific advantage in the assessment and selection process. More information is available in chapter 9 of the Terms of Reference.
Priority 4: Improving governance for cooperation in central Europe
SO 4.1 Strengthening governance for integrated territorial development
Ideas are welcome in all relevant topics of this specific objective. Among others, the following topics show a good potential for capitalisation:
→ Integrated territorial development including establishment of formal cooperation structures, access to public services of general interest and tourism
Our funded projects are already working on a broad range of topics within each specific objective. Explore the thematic areas they are addressing and identify potential synergies for your own project.
Please note, the project proposals addressing topics with higher potentials will not have any specific advantage in the assessment and selection process. More information is available in chapter 9 of the Terms of Reference.
Our approach to capitalisation
Strategic projects for capitalisation must build on existing Interreg transnational and cross-border outputs and results to strengthen their territorial and policy impact in wider areas, also beyond border regions. They should develop, improve, or adapt them, going beyond mere pooling or duplication.
The capitalisation of outputs and results can be implemented in two different ways. Both approaches are complementary and a combination of the two in one strategic project for capitalisation is also possible (but not mandatory).
Upstreaming
Existing outputs and results are taken up, adapted and integrated into policies that address border issues.
Downstreaming
Existing outputs and results are taken up, adapted and rolled out to regions and sectors that face similar issues.
Strategic projects for capitalisation in a nutshell
As a minimum requirement, projects must explicitly take up existing outputs and results from:
At least two Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE projects funded under the first and second call of the current programme, and
At least two Interreg cross-border cooperation projects funded by programmes that address internal central European borders.
Other key features of a strategic project for capitalisation include:
Objective
To reduce the effects of borders on flows and functional linkages
Transnationality
At least three partners from three countries, two of which are located in central Europe
Duration
Between 18 and 24 months
Budget
Up to 1 million EUR of ERDF
If relevant to their scope, projects may also build on outputs and results of other projects, or on knowledge and tools developed through the European Commission’s b-solutions initiative. To support applicants, we also provide a mapping of existing B-Solutions in central Europe. Further details on minimum requirements and specific features of strategic projects for capitalisation are available in chapters 4 to 7 of the Terms of Reference.
How to build your partnership
In strategic projects for capitalisation, all types of institutions can apply. However, there are minimum requirements and recommendations for composing a partnership for a strategic project.
How to start building your partnership:
→ Carefully review chapter 6 of the Terms of Reference for minimum requirements and recommendations
→ Connect with potential partners through our applicant community to find organisations that complement your expertise
→ Explore Keep.eu to identify relevant organisations, and find outputs and results from Interreg transnational and cross-border projects
Support measures
We are here to help and support you along the way. During the call, we offer our applicants a variety of support measures.
Webinars
Watch our webinars to learn more about the call.
Launch Webinar
Recording
Presentation
Q&A Webinar
Recording
National support
Reach out to your National Contact Point (NCP) in your own language, or join one of their national info days. They provide guidance, answer questions, and support you in understanding the application process in your language.
Video explainers
If you want to quickly understand what is this call about, start with our short explainers and tutorials. They introduce you to the key elements of the call and guide you through the essentials of preparing a proposal.
Individual consultations
Individual consultations with the joint secretariat are offered for each proposal. These consultations are not compulsory and can be booked between 30 September and 19 November 2025.
FAQs and helpdesk
If you have questions about this call, start by checking our FAQs, where you will find answers to the most common queries. If you cannot find what you are looking for, do not hesitate to contact our helpdesk.
Finalise your application
In the application form, all essential information about your project must be clearly presented. The offline application form cannot be submitted, but it offers many useful tips and practical guidance for completing your application in our online submission platform (Jems).
We also provide a Jems manual for applicants guiding you step by step through completing and submitting your application.
Last but not least, before submitting your application, we strongly encourage you to make use of our self-assessment tool to check whether your proposal is sound, feasible, and relevant for this strategic call.