North-West Europe is one of Europe’s most urbanised and densely populated areas. It is also among the most productive and wealthy areas with a high concentration/degree of innovation activities and high levels of digital and transport connectivity. At the same time, territorial challenges and disparities between territories persist.
When looking more specifically into the overall high level of economic wealth, the pattern at the local level shows that wealth is not evenly distributed across the cooperation area. For instance, GDP per capita is much higher in capital cities, towns and urban areas than in most rural regions of the NWE area.
Simultaneously, some rural territories have high rates of employment, alongside certain urban neighbourhoods struggling with unemployment and social exclusion. Overall, the high level of industrialisation and productivity in NWE comes at a price. Negative environmental effects on air quality, greenhouse gas emission levels as well as water quality make the adaptation to climate change effects even more pressing.
Achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 will require a transformation that goes beyond focusing on the financial, regulatory and technological shifts and places citizens and communities at the heart of the transition. To achieve the so-called just transition is therefore a common challenge for all NWE territories.
The strategy of the NWE Programme addresses the territorial challenges of the different NWE territories and focuses on place-based solutions developed in a transnational format. Specific challenges are similar across the NWE area with complementary characteristics. The analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats has allowed to identify joint investment needs across the area that would benefit from territorial action and cooperation.
The seven countries covered by NWE
Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, The Netherlands and Switzerland
Weser-Ems
Seven countries are participating in the 2021-2027 Interreg North-West Europe Programme: Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, The Netherlands and Switzerland.
We are particularly proud that six new regions from Germany (Bremen, Leine-Weser and Weser-Ems) and the Netherlands (Groningen, Friesland, Drenthe) have joined our Programme.
Territorial analysis
A territorial analysis identifying the NWE Programme’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats – comparatively to other (Interreg) Programmes was conducted. Drawing lessons from the 2014-2020 period, it seeks to answer the following question: What type of territorial projects would deliver added value to European Territorial Cohesion through transnational cooperation? The document defines Interreg NWE's needs regarding its territorial span and includes recommendations for a geographical area to be covered by the next programme. It also addresses target groups to engage with and topics to tackle in 2021-2027. This is a background document which supported the working groups and NTF discussions and helped in drafting the new Cooperation Programme.
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