'You shouldn’t be able to access EU funds if you’re not willing to promote them': MEP Stine Bosse

That sense of social responsibility brought her to Brussels last year as a Member of the European Parliament for Denmark’s Moderates. Now Vice-Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Public Health and a member of the Committees on the Environment and Budgets, Bosse is passionate about cooperation across borders and about making citizens see what Europe does for them.

Her top concern? Europe (and Interreg) is not telling its story well enough. ‘Every indicator tells us that only by working together we’re going to survive as a democracy in Europe,’ she says. ‘But people don’t know enough about the ways we already do this.’

'Interreg achieves wonderful things, but we don't talk about it'

For Bosse, Interreg is a prime example of Europe working in quiet but powerful ways. ‘Interreg achieves wonderful things,’ she says, ‘but we don’t talk about it. Not enough in the media. Not enough in politics. And not enough on the ground.’

This, she warns, has consequences. As nationalism rises and trust in EU institutions is tested, the projects that make Europe tangible are not getting the visibility they deserve.

‘You shouldn’t be able to access EU funds if you’re not willing to promote them,’ Bosse insists. ‘It should be part of the deal: tell the story. Show people what’s been achieved. Hire journalists, marketers, storytellers, whatever it takes.’

‘Interreg is the tool to make things happen’

On the Environment Committee, Bosse is involved in legislative files related to climate action, biodiversity, and pollution. Here too, she sees Interreg as a bridge between ambition and delivery.

‘Interreg is the tool to make things happen. We talk about the EU electrical grid, but someone has to build the last mile,’ she explains. ‘Interreg can help get that done. It’s a tool to connect infrastructure, regions, and people.’

She also believes in combining EU cooperation funds with private investment, especially to support innovation and scaling.

‘We can’t do everything with cohesion funds alone,’ she says. ‘But Interreg can lay the foundation, and then private financing can build on that. That’s how we scale up.’

One of her favourite topics is public health, and she believes Interreg is still underused here.

‘All countries, rich or not, are facing healthcare challenges,’ she says. ‘But what if we thought about regional healthcare, across borders? Greater Copenhagen includes southern Sweden. That could connect with regions in Spain, Italy, Greece. It’s already starting, but we could fuel it much more.’

Bosse envisions European regions sharing hospital networks, healthcare staff, data systems and even joint procurement, especially when it comes to critical medicines and crisis preparedness.

‘If we were in a war or major crisis, we’d have to think in regions. So why not prepare like that now?’

‘Give me the evidence, help me connect your vision to mine'

As a substitute member of the European Parliament’s Committee on Budgets, Bosse knows how fierce funding debates can be, especially in negotiations for the EU’s long-term budget (MFF).

Interreg only represents a small slice of the overall EU budget. But to her, its territorial value is outsized. ‘We need regional structures and cooperation programmes to be more vocal right now,’ she urges. ‘A year from now will be too late.’

Her advice to Interreg practitioners is clear: show her - and other decision-makers - the impact that wouldn’t happen without Interreg. ‘Give me the evidence, help me connect your vision to mine. If I can’t showcase the results, it’s extremely difficult to defend them in a tough budget debate.’

‘Don’t just say what the meetings were. Tell us what changed for people'

Asked about priorities for Interreg after 2027, Bosse is emphatic: communication is essential.

‘Have a seminar every year for journalists across Europe. Educate them. Show what’s being done. Make impact studies that don’t stay in drawers but are talked about.’

And above all, focus on stories, not structures.

‘Don’t just say what the meetings were. Tell us what changed for people in Romania, Denmark, Italy, etc. That’s how people relate.’

She also sees potential for Interreg to support small businesses, as hubs of local innovation, and calls for more systemic thinking around entrepreneurship across borders.

‘Make sure people know that Europe is already working together in ways that really matter.’

Throughout the conversation, Bosse’s passion is clear, not only for cooperation, but for communication. ‘This is the gift I’m asking for,’ she says. ‘Educate us. Make sure people know that Europe is already working together in ways that really matter.’

For her, Interreg is more than a programme. It’s a piece of the puzzle that makes European democracy resilient.