Interreg Alpenrhein-Bodensee-Hochrhein (DE / AT / CH / FL)

Programme Thematic Objectives

• A smarter Europe – innovative and smart economic transformation

  RSO 1.1 Developing and enhancing research and innovation capacities and the uptake of advanced technologies

  • Project supported under this objective should aim at establishing and expanding joint capacities to intensify technology transfer between key actors in the program area, with a focus on strengthening innovation and technology capacities, especially in less advanced regions. The aim is to jointly develop or further develop new products or processes, with a sustainable effect. The goal is to fully exploit potential synergies and complementarities in many sectors of the economy on both sides of the border. Projects should focus on innovations for sustainable management, health economy, new materials, and digitalization in companies and value chains

  RSO 1.2 Reaping the benefits of digitisation for citizens, companies, research organisations and public authorities

  • The goal here is to establish cross-border social innovations that use digital technologies to treat problems in different areas of life. Digitization can also benefit rural or less developed areas by providing new digital services and applications to improve their access to basic services and increase their quality of life. Digitization can also be used to manage cultural and natural potential in a sustainable manner and for cross-border tourism marketing. The measures to support digitization are assessed as compatible with the DNSH principle and the New European Bauhaus Initiative principles will be encouraged.

  RSO 1.4 Developing skills for smart specialisation, industrial transition and entrepreneurship

  • Looking at the different regional innovation strategies, we see that they work well together in four main areas:
    • Developing new ideas for managing resources sustainably, using resources efficiently, and creating a circular economy
    • Developing new ideas in all areas of healthcare
    • Creating new materials and using them to improve product quality and make manufacturing more innovative
    • Using digital technology in companies and supply chains

    The objective is to use specific topics and technologies to develop skills for smart specialization, industrial change, and entrepreneurship, while also addressing the shortage of skilled workers by preparing small and medium-sized companies for these challenges. The aim is to expand the base of innovative companies by supporting cross-border entrepreneurial joint ventures or start-ups, including spin-offs and spin-outs, through cooperation with universities/research institutions. Measures should be planned to enable small and medium-sized companies to access knowledge and advanced technology, develop innovative products, and strengthen entrepreneurship. These measures are compatible with the DNSH principle and the administration will encourage the beneficiaries to consider the principles of the New European Bauhaus Initiative where relevant.

• A greener, low-carbon Europe

  RSO 2.4 Promoting climate change adaptation and disaster risk prevention and resilience, taking into account eco-system based approaches

  • Supported projects should aim to take proactive measures to address climate change and its consequences. It also seeks to support existing cross-border cooperation on risk management in the program area, including cooperation between police and judicial authorities in Germany, Switzerland and Austria, as well as bilateral agreements on disaster control and their implementation at the regional and local levels.

  RSO 2.7 Biodiversity and green infrastructure

  • The aim is for the funded projects to protect biodiversity, specifically the diversity of species, and to connect habitats that are important for many animals across borders. A successful project called "Reconnection on the High Rhine" has already been completed and a second project called "Cross-Border Biotope Network on the High Rhine" is being planned. The co-funded project should maintain the unique plants and animals, conserve existing natural areas, and support small and medium-sized companies in becoming more environmentally friendly.

• A more social Europe implementing the European Pillar of Social Rights

  RSO 4.2 Improving equal access education, training and lifelong

  • The aim of this objective is to improve the workforce potential in the programme area. Projects that focus on vocational training and education, as well as the recognition of qualifications, can help achieve this. Additionally, projects that improve access to quality general education can lay the groundwork for creating a skilled workforce. These projects should target various age groups to promote cross-border collaboration. However, it is important to avoid creating competition for skilled workers among sub-regions of the programme area. Projects that address the shortage of skilled workers and the challenges that come with it can also receive support. Lastly, in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, projects that develop innovative virtual education concepts (e-learning) in all educational sectors will also be funded.

  RSO 4.5 Ensuring equal access to health care and fostering resilience of health systems

  • Like other border areas in Europe, the cooperation program area has identified local and supra-local needs and potentials for more collaborative use of existing public health services, and for the development of new electronic cross-border public services in the areas of health (e-health) and care (e-care). These needs have been further emphasized by the COVID19 pandemic. This objective will enable to co-fund cross-border projects in this area.

  RSO 4.6 Enhancing the role of culture and sustainable tourism

  • The tourism and and cultural sector should be strengthened and the cultural heritage preserved. A stronger cross-border network in the tourism sector in sub-areas should be expanded with an overarching orientation and profiling to a uniform tourist destination. And cross-border cooperation can lead to a significant exchange of knowledge and innovation.
    Projects aiming at developing skills in the area of digitization and sustainability in the tourism and cultural sector, but also to create or secure high-quality employment and permanent jobs will be encouraged.

• A better cooperation governance

  RSO 6.1 Enhance the institutional capacity of public authorities

  • The objective of the supported projects will be to enhance existing permanent cooperation structures and establish new networks, both public and non-public, in order to optimize public services in urban and rural border areas. This will be achieved through the joint use of existing regional and local public infrastructures and services, and by preparing for the creation of new cross-border public services in areas such as transport, environment, culture, and social affairs. Funding areas may include the establishment of new joint instruments with public-law support structures for integrated and sustainable spatial development, closer cooperation between organizations for cultural and natural heritage, and expansion of sustainable tourism marketing. Additionally, cooperation in energy efficiency and renewable energies, as well as raising awareness about climate change, will be promoted.

  RSO 6.2 Enhance efficient public administration

  • There is a need for better coordination across national borders and an expansion of transport infrastructure in some parts of the program area. National transport policies have resulted in important cross-border gaps that still need to be addressed. This requires more cross-border coordination and planning for transport infrastructure, local transport connections, and the quality of local transport services. To promote sustainable cross-border mobility, there should be stronger administrative coordination for new options such as joint mobility management, cycling infrastructure, e-mobility, and carpooling. Conflicts between sub-areas in the programme area should be resolved through better cross-border administrative coordination in spatial planning and land use policy. Legal or administrative obstacles to cross-border business service provision and the introduction of cross-border public services should be reduced. Lastly, there should be a joint offer of information and advice to support cross-border job seekers and commuters in dealing with legal or administrative requirements such as social security and taxation.

  RSO 6.3 Build up mutual trust

  • The aim of this objective is to facilitate cross-border projects that promote civic or cultural networks and encourage direct cross-border encounters. Such activities are crucial in preserving common history, culture, and customs, as well as promoting intercultural dialogue between people of all ages from the cooperation programme area. By building "human bridges" on the High Rhine, the objective seeks to establish diverse cross-border contacts and structures that enable sustainable cooperation and peaceful coexistence to develop into a partnership.

    Additionally, citizen-to-citizen projects provide an opportunity to process and reflect on experiences with the COVID19 pandemic, particularly during the lockdowns. The closure of border crossings for weeks was especially difficult for families in the program area who were accustomed to free borders and often had family lives on both sides of the borders.