Interreg Austria – Czechia

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

  • The programme aims to:
    • Make the most of the research and innovation potential in the area
    • Focus on specific research areas that benefit both sides of the border
    • Help small and medium-sized businesses become more competitive by providing better access to research and advanced technologies
    • Spread innovative ideas to the peripheral areas of the program, so everyone can benefit from the work done in research hubs
    • Speed up the process of turning research into practical solutions that can be used by businesses and the public sector
    • Use research and innovation more efficiently, both what already exists and any new capacity that's developed
    • Share knowledge and expertise among different research institutions.

• 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

  • The programme will help communities adapt to climate change when it is possible and relevant. Some of the suggested joint actions to promote climate change adaptation in the cross-border program are:
    • Working together on adaptation efforts in industries that are especially vulnerable to climate change, such as farming, forestry, and environmental conservation.
    • Giving priority to nature-based solutions instead of building hard or grey infrastructure when designing and constructing climate adaptation infrastructure, whenever feasible. This includes solutions like floodplains, restoring ecosystems, planting trees, natural water retention, and other green or blue infrastructure measures that directly benefit climate change adaptation and risk reduction.
    • Cooperating to improve water management methods and practices so they can better adapt to climate change impacts.
    • Making climate protection and adaptation a central cross-cutting theme in cities and communities.

  RSO 2.7 Biodiversity and green infrastructure

  • The programme will help protect nature and wildlife by working together to:
    • Improve the quality of surface waters and rivers in the border region through ecological measures
    • Preserve and restore biodiversity in sensitive areas by controlling invasive species and pests
    • Manage nature and natural sites in a sustainable way that protects natural resources
    • Educate the public about biodiversity issues through environmental awareness activities (which is covered in priority 3).

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

  RSO 4.2 Improving equal access education, training and lifelong

  • The cooperation programme aims to:
    • Improve the education sector across borders by aligning it with the needs of the labour market and business sector.
    • Encourage cross-border understanding.
    • Implement changes in the education system.

  RSO 4.6 Enhancing the role of culture and sustainable tourism

  • The cooperation programme will help make the cultural and natural heritage and tourism sector in the region stronger and better able to handle changes in the long-term. Some of the ways the program will do this include:
    • Making tourism part of a bigger plan,
    • Connecting tourism to other topics,
    • Helping tourism recover from COVID-19 and any future crises,
    • Using digital technology to improve tourism,
    • Helping businesses be ready for new opportunities in the future,
    • Making the hospitality sector more flexible and able to adapt,
    • Supporting businesses affected by the COVID-19 crisis,
    • Finding new ways to show off cultural and natural heritage to potential visitors.

    The program will also look at ways to help the EU reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels, as part of the Green Deal objectives.

• A better cooperation governance

  RSO 6.2 Enhance efficient public administration

  • The programme aims to improve the abilities of organisations in certain fields related to the development of the program area. This includes strengthening cooperation between regional and local bodies to provide better services, as well as removing obstacles to long-term cross-border development. The goal is to help organisations work together more effectively, build on past successes, and create more opportunities for cooperation.

  RSO 6.3 Build up mutual trust

  • The actions supported here will help achieving the specific objective by promoting:
    • Collaboration among people in the border region from the grassroots level
    • Small projects that bring people from both sides of the border together and help break down barriers.