People to People

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Experience from previous Interreg periods has shown that there is ample demand for small Interreg projects. Therefore, a fund for small-scale projects should be set up again, to be managed by the EMR when it comes to calls for proposals, examination and selection of the small-scale projects and support with their implementation, as well as communication with regard to the fund. P2P is also regarded important in other Euregios and when it comes to expansion of the EU – citizen-oriented projects where encounters are central as well as projects where the priority lies with the commitment of citizens and the civil society as a whole. In the end the simplification of European programmes – not least of them Interreg – is a major challenge particularly in the light of the small scale of the projects. By supporting the organization of events and the development of joint initiatives and instruments, P2P is aimed at stimulating encounters between citizens, visitors, private organizations and public entities; thereby eliminating borders as an obstacle and enhancing the attractiveness of the region. Enabling the establishment of personal contacts and group activities is viewed as an important foundation for cross-border cooperation. Through P2P, cross-border activities of a wide variety are promoted, ranging from the organization of expert meetings, to events for a broader audience and the development of joint initiatives and instruments in the fields of ‘sports and culture’, ‘education and youth’, ‘communication and marketing’ and ‘civic involvement and public services’. Since encounter and exchange are central aims, the number of participants and their regional distribution is not only a criterion for the evaluation of a project but also for the distribution of subsidies. With a view to simplification, the subsidies are to be paid as a lump sum. With a focus on sports, culture and education, P2P projects can contribute to a stronger bond with the Euregio. Due to their small scale, they can also provide a starting point for the development of larger projects or structural partnerships. In a nutshell: the added-value of the P2P projects for the inhabitants of the area (see also the specific objectives): 1. more and better information on cross-border activities in the areas of sports, culture, education, services in the field of health, etc. 2. increased awareness about the possibilities of cross-border living, working and studying in the Euroregion.

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