The INTERREG Programme was the largest of the Community Initiatives, which have operated under the European Structural Funds since their reform in 1988.  The Border Counties of Ireland and all of Northern Ireland were eligible for assistance under INTERREG III.

INTERREG III A was the strand that was most immediately relevant to the Ireland/Northern Ireland Border Corridor. In relation to this strand, the European Commission proposed a bottom-up approach (reflecting the diversity of border regions across Europe), aimed at developing cross border economic and social clusters and joint spatial development approaches.

With the encouragement of both national governments, the European Commission and their member authorities, the North West Region Cross Border Group (and it’s counterparts the Central Border Area Network and the East Border Region Committee), investigated best practice in cross-border co-operation in European border regions. From these investigations evolved an approach that reflected both best practice and the current state of development of cross-border co-operation in the Ireland/Northern Ireland Border Corridor.

The Integrated Area Plan for the North West Region Cross Border Group Area was based around a number of key aims and aspirations for the development of the Region over the period. The North West Region Cross Border Group was an implementing agent for the INTERREG IIIA Programme, Priority One Measures 1-3.  The Group established a Partnership for this purpose comprising elected members and social partners from throughout the Region.  This partnership was both multi-sectoral and cross border and delivered funding in the region of €16m to the region.