A new strategic initiative under the Interreg Polska–Ukraina 2021–2027 programme has been launched to strengthen cross-border collaboration and support local communities. Co-financed by the EU Cohesion Policy, the initiative enters a new phase with the launch of the Small Project Fund Cooperation, aimed at fostering partnerships, breaking down stereotypes, and promoting regional development.
With a budget of over €5 million, the Fund supports small-scale, non-investment projects that encourage cooperation, cultural exchange, and civic engagement between Poland and Ukraine. Managed by the Carpathian Euroregion in Poland, the Fund allows local organisations from both countries to apply for grants ranging from €20,000 to €90,000.
At the launch event on 3 June at Łańcut Castle, Bartłomiej Balcerzyk, Deputy Head of the European Commission Representation in Poland, reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to investing in citizen-focused initiatives. The Fund, he noted, is centred on building mutual trust and enabling grassroots cooperation, in line with the EU’s broader goals of solidarity, tolerance, and regional cohesion.
Projects must demonstrate a strong cross-border dimension and contribute to the programme’s strategic goals. Eligible activities include educational exchanges, cultural and tourism initiatives, heritage preservation, and social inclusion projects.
This Polish-Ukrainian cooperation effort reflects the EU’s long-term commitment to fostering peace, cultural dialogue, and sustainable development through local partnerships. It also supports broader EU objectives to revise and adapt cohesion policy for Eastern border regions, many of which have been disproportionately affected by ongoing geopolitical tensions, including the war in Ukraine.
Looking ahead, the initiative is expected to lay important groundwork for post-2027 cohesion policy, particularly in designing future regional cooperation programmes that directly respond to local needs.
