Cooperation that transforms territories: real stories from Interreg projects

As regions face the need to become greener and more digital at the same time, AccelerateGDT brings together partners from Ireland, Spain, Italy, Austria, Hungary, Czechia, Germany and Ukraine to modernise cluster policies. 

Beyond supporting SMEs, the project helps territories reimagine how innovation ecosystems can transform collectively, showing how shared strategies speed up adaptation across Europe. 

Renewable energy with design and ingenuity 

APhE - Interreg ALCOTRA (Italy–France) 

In the cross-border ALCOTRA region, APhE explores a simple but powerful question: how can solar energy blend naturally into our urban and rural landscapes? 

Its answer comes in the form of retractable photovoltaic awnings, solutions that combine technical efficiency with aesthetic integration. A clear example of how cross-border creativity can reshape the everyday environment. 

Sustainable desalination for island regions 

DESAL+ - Interreg MAC

Islands live in a paradox: surrounded by water, yet often lacking access to freshwater. DESAL+ strengthens research, training and pilot infrastructures to integrate renewable energy into desalination systems. 

Through cooperation between Spanish and Portuguese regions (Madeira, Açores, Canary Islands), the project shows how innovation can help ensure secure, sustainable water supplies for island communities. 

A blue circular economy for healthier seas 

JOINABLE - Interreg ADRION 

In the Adriatic-Ionian area, JOINABLE unites public authorities, SMEs, citizens and experts to reduce plastic inflows into the sea. 

By combining digital tools, circular business models and policy support, the project demonstrates how transnational cooperation can protect shared marine ecosystems and create new opportunities for local economies. 

Turning waste into opportunity 

COP (Circular Ocean-bound Plastic) - Interreg South Baltic 

Around the South Baltic Sea, universities, maritime clusters, NGOs and SMEs work together to collect, reuse and recycle plastics that would otherwise reach the ocean. COP shows in very practical terms how circularity can become a driver of local value creation in coastal regions facing common environmental pressures. 

Agriculture adapting to a changing climate 

IRRIGAVIT - Interreg Italy–Slovenia 

Mediterranean vineyards are at the frontline of climate change. IRRIGAVIT develops and transfers irrigation protocols adapted to viticulture, helping producers maintain quality and productivity while using water more responsibly. The project grows from a shared landscape, a shared wine tradition, and now, shared solutions. 

Preparing communities for flash floods 

LocAll4Flood - Interreg EURO-MED 

Flash floods are becoming more frequent across the Mediterranean. LocAll4Flood tackles this challenge through prevention, adaptation tools and community engagement, testing solutions in pilot catchments across Bulgaria, France, Greece, Italy, Malta and Spain. 
By learning from each other, regions can strengthen resilience faster and more effectively. 

Sustainable fashion across borders 

FashionForward - Interreg SUDOE 

The fashion and textile sector is undergoing profound transformation. With partners from Spain, France and Portugal, FashionForward promotes training, mentoring, awareness campaigns and pilot actions involving municipalities, schools, companies and consumers. 

The project shows how sustainability spreads through the value chain when regions and generations move forward together. 

A shared European story: Cooperation as a force for transformation 

Whether working on energy, water, fashion, agriculture, flood management or circular plastics, these projects form part of the same narrative: territories achieve lasting, meaningful transformation when they collaborate. 

Each initiative presented here contributes to Europe’s green and digital transitions in its own way - step by step, region by region, community by community- demonstrating the power of cooperation to shape a more resilient and forward-looking future.