Interreg Romania – Hungary

Programme Thematic Objectives

• A greener, low-carbon Europe

  RSO 2.2 Renewable energy

  • Romania and Hungary are working towards using more renewable energy and reducing emissions by 2030. This effort supports EU's goal of a carbon-neutral continent by 2050.

    Examples of actions supported:
    1. Planning: Promote border-spanning green energy projects and identify local opportunities.
    2. Skill Building: Share good practices and build skills for understanding and using green energy.
    3. Joint Actions: Start renewable energy projects where resources are abundant and get involved with community initiatives.

    These initiatives will aim to solve common issues, make the most of shared resources, and keep the collaboration going even after project completion. The expected result? More cooperation in renewable energy, creating green energy communities, and boosting the use of renewables.

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

  • Europe aims for climate neutrality by 2050. Romania and Hungary are addressing water and flood risks and looking to improve teamwork, risk prediction, and joint response.

    Our goals:

    1. Improve collaboration and problem-solving.
    2. Increase readiness of emergency services.

    Actions include:

    1. Updating flood plans, improving forecasts, and managing climate change.
    2. Training communities for disasters and better use of climate data.
    3. Jointly managing risks and improving warning systems.

  RSO 2.7 Biodiversity and green infrastructure

  • To tackle water pollution and natural heritage issues, Romania and Hungary aim to improve management and investment in green areas. Key actions include making joint plans for protected areas, hosting awareness events, developing conservation strategies, and working together on environment-focused projects. This collaboration will help protect biodiversity, enhance shared resources, and will continue even after the project ends.

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

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

  • Healthcare services in Romania and Hungary vary significantly across regions, with larger, more developed areas having better infrastructure and resources. To address this, steps are being taken to analyse health trends and needs, develop joint action plans, and foster collaboration and learning among healthcare professionals. Investments are also being made in health infrastructure and IT. These efforts aim to improve the resilience and quality of healthcare services, and to ensure they can better respond to emergencies and future challenges.

  RSO 4.6 Enhancing the role of culture and sustainable tourism

  • The tourism sector in Romania and Hungary is growing, but there's room for improvement. To boost tourism and preserve cultural heritage, these countries are focusing on sustainable tourism and digital strategies. This includes identifying and mapping cultural and natural heritage, building capacity among local actors, and creating joint strategies for development. This work also involves initiatives like 'story-telling models', sustainable tourism offers, and the creation of thematic routes. All these actions aim to promote shared cultural and natural heritage and develop more robust, cooperative tourism strategies.

• A better cooperation governance

  RSO 6.1 Enhance the institutional capacity of public authorities

  • Romania and Hungary share a similar government structure, and cooperation between these regions can help improve local development and public services. The idea is to increase efficiency, share knowledge, and overcome obstacles through joint actions. These include studying barriers to cooperation, learning from past experiences, mapping out standards and legislation, and creating joint strategies.

    Specifically, these actions will focus on areas like strategic planning, project development, and creating joint response capacity. They could be applied in a general way, like developing "cross-border strategic thinking", or be specific to a certain sector.

    The ultimate goal is a better understanding of cross-border relations, leading to more effective planning and higher quality strategies.

  RSO 6.2 Enhance efficient public administration

  • Romania and Hungary have similar governmental structures, but differences exist that could affect access to cooperative funds and public service modernisation. This programme aims to encourage cooperation to improve service delivery, share knowledge and tackle obstacles.

    Supported actions include analysing cooperation barriers, learning from past efforts, and developing joint action plans. Both general and sector-specific approaches are taken, with the aim of fostering cooperation and strategic thinking.

    Infrastructure investments that enhance cooperation are permitted, but they shouldn't be the main focus. No significant environmental impact is anticipated.

    Expected outcome: Better understanding of cooperation barriers and jointly developed solutions.

  RSO 6.3 Build up mutual trust

  • Romania and Hungary have similar government systems. However, variations can affect access to shared funds and upgrading public services for cross-border communities. The programme encourages cooperation to plan services, exchange knowledge, and overcome hurdles. There's a history of cooperation through twinning initiatives and regional partnerships, although financing can be a challenge.

    Supported actions include small-scale studies on cooperation barriers, creating joint action plans, and learning from past collaborations. There will also be community initiatives, like the New European Bauhaus, which encourages local involvement in designing sustainable, inclusive public spaces.

    These actions aim to boost cooperation and strategic thinking. Although infrastructure investments are allowed, they're meant to facilitate better cooperation, not be the main project aim. No significant environmental impact is expected.

    Expected outcome: More community involvement in cross-border initiatives, laying the groundwork for more structured community-led projects.