Interreg Platform Showcases Cross-Border Grant Management
The Interreg VI-A NEXT Programme's online application platform demonstrates a digital-first approach to managing complex, multi-stakeholder grants across Hungary, Slovakia, Romania, and Ukraine. The system supports large consortia and real-time tracking, offering a model for funding agencies managing increasingly international and collaborative research projects.
- The application platform, INTERREG+, requires users to create a single user account that can be used across multiple Interreg programmes, including those from previous funding periods (2014-2020). However, the system automatically logs users out after 30 minutes of inactivity, which can result in the loss of unsaved data. - A significant usability constraint of the INTERREG+ platform is that only one user can work on an application at any given time. This design choice necessitates careful coordination among large consortia, contrasting with modern collaborative document editing environments. - Many Interreg programmes now use a shared software for grant applications and management called Jems (Joint Electronic Monitoring System). This move towards a standardized platform aims to create a more consistent user experience for applicants who may be involved in multiple cross-border projects. - User feedback on the EU's primary Funding & Tenders Portal, which serves 62 funding programmes, identified the overall user experience and page design as major pain points. In response, the European Commission is planning improvements such as personalized notifications, upgraded search tools, and a revamped look and feel to make the portal more user-centric. - The broader GovTech sector is increasingly adopting design thinking to better involve citizens and improve the quality of public services. Initiatives like GovTech Connect and GovTech4All are being used to foster collaboration between public administrations and tech SMEs to accelerate innovation in public service delivery across the EU. - As of June 28, 2025, the European Accessibility Act (EAA) will be enforced, mandating that digital platforms, including grant management systems, comply with accessibility standards. This legislation requires adherence to principles of perceivability, operability, understandability, and robustness, largely based on the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA. - Common challenges faced by users of EU grant portals include navigating complex eligibility criteria, the difficulty of forming international consortia with varying national rules, and crafting concise, compelling proposals under tight deadlines. To mitigate these issues, applicants are often advised to start the process early, use templates, and submit proposals at least a day or two before the deadline to avoid technical problems. - The Interreg VI-A NEXT HUSKROUA programme has a total budget of over €28 million for its second call for proposals, focusing on priorities such as creating a resilient and green border region, a healthy and attractive border region, and a cooperating border region. Projects can be either small-scale (from €70,000 to €300,000) or regular-scale (from €300,000 to €1,500,000).
