As part of the EU’s reflection on the future of Interreg beyond 2027, a wide-ranging consultation gathered input from over 10,000 participants across Europe’s border regions. For the first time, citizens, not just institutions, were at the heart of the process. The findings from this consultation have been released on the “Harvesting Report for Post-2027 INTERREG”.

Findings show that most respondents view living in a border region as an advantage, citing cultural exchange, mobility, shared services and access to wider labour and education markets. At the same time, they highlighted persistent barriers, such as administrative hurdles and infrastructure gaps.

The consultation confirmed strong support for continued cross-border cooperation, with Interreg seen as essential for addressing a wide range of shared challenges, from climate action to public services, and for building trust across borders.

Citizens also shared bold ideas for future cooperation, calling for simpler, more flexible and community-driven approaches. The message is clear: territorial cooperation must remain a pillar of EU cohesion policy.

You can read more in the Harvesting Report on Post-2027 Interreg.