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Home News & Stories How Interreg strengthens eastern EU regions after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
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Story 07 March 2025

How Interreg strengthens eastern EU regions after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

Cooperation across borders was once part of daily life for communities along the EU’s eastern border. Regions in Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland had long-standing ties with their Russian and Belarusian neighbours through trade, tourism, and cultural exchanges, supported by Interreg-funded projects. However, Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 abruptly ended these connections. Borders closed, cooperation ceased, and communities faced an uncertain future.
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Authors
Nelli Wallin
Interact
Marko Ruokangas
Interact

The EU’s swift response

‘The Commission acted quickly to protect the interests of the EU Member States and regions affected by the war,’ says Jean-Pierre Halkin, Head of Unit for European Territorial Cooperation at the European Commission.

Cooperation with Russia and Belarus was immediately suspended. To support affected regions, the European Commission reallocated EUR 150 million, helping EU Member States bordering Russia and Belarus build new partnerships within the EU and shift their economic focus.

The new rules ensured that programmes from the 2014–2020 period could continue without Russian and Belarusian partners. This allowed EU border regions to complete ongoing projects and adjust their strategies.

For the 2021–2027 period, the European Commission reallocated EUR 150 million from planned Interreg programmes with Russia and Belarus to Interreg cross-border programmes in these regions. This helped EU Member States bordering Russia and Belarus develop new partnerships within the EU and refocus their economic strategies.

Additionally, the geographical scope of internal cross-border programmes was expanded to include all affected border regions.

‘The Commission acted quickly to protect the interests of the EU Member States and regions affected by the war,’ Jean-Pierre Halkin Head of Unit for European Territorial Cooperation at the European Commission

On-the-ground support and high-level engagement

The European Commission has prioritised direct engagement with border regions. High-profile visits, including President Ursula von der Leyen’s trip to the Finnish–Russian border, reaffirm the EU’s commitment to these communities.

In January 2024, a Commission delegation visited Estonia, meeting regional representatives in Narva and Tartu to discuss the impact of the crisis and ongoing recovery efforts. Projects like Neo Performance Materials’ new magnet manufacturing facility, supported by EUR 18.5 million from the Just Transition Fund, show the transformative potential of targeted EU investments.

A group of people wearing winter clothes and high-visibility vests stand in a snowy outdoor setting. Two individuals are wearing white hard hats, and one is gesturing while speaking to the group. A van is visible on the left.
Jean-Pierre Halkin visits Narva Industrial Park, Estonia with a European Commission delegation

Building resilience through Interreg

These efforts provide broader support and open new avenues for cooperation. In addition, Interreg programmes continue to respond to the evolving needs of eastern border regions through ongoing cooperation projects. 

Following examples highlight the variety of efforts taken by different programmes:

  • Central Baltic programme: Launching targeted calls where either the lead partner or at least half of the project partners must originate from the external border regions within the programme area 
  • South Baltic programme: Launching targeted calls for the added region 
  • Aurora programme: Considering selection criteria giving more points to project applications that have ‘new’ partners in the added regions
  • Estonia-Latvia: Launching initiatives in tourism and reaching new applicants from the eastern border regions
  • Lithuania–Poland Interreg programme: Two new priorities have been set: ‘Improving connectivity’ and the Interreg specific objective (ISO) 7.4. Other actions to contribute to a safer and more secure Europe. Moreover, a new tourism strategy is being developed.
  • Latvia–Lithuania Interreg programme: Investing in civil defence training and emergency preparedness.

Beyond these initiatives, Interreg-funded projects are also promoting economic resilience. They support small businesses in accessing new markets, promote sustainable tourism, and help local economies transition away from reliance on Russia and Belarus. These efforts complement broader cooperation initiatives, ensuring that border regions remain adaptable and economically sustainable.

 

Looking ahead

As discussions begin on the future of EU cohesion policy beyond 2027, support for these regions remains high on the agenda. Interreg will continue to play a vital role in fostering cross-border cooperation and creating new opportunities.

‘New partnerships don’t happen overnight,’ Halkin noted. ‘But these regions have an opportunity to reposition themselves as stable, attractive places to live, work, and invest.’

Through innovation, cooperation, and targeted support, Interreg is helping Eastern border regions rebuild and adapt to their new reality. This story of resilience and reinvention is just beginning.