In 2026, the Interreg Euro-MED Programme will launch its ‘Fast lane’. This simplified procedure will enable ‘study’ projects to move into the testing phase, and ‘test’ projects to transfer their results to new territories. The aim is to give projects the opportunity to further develop their approach and maximise the results achieved.
Curzio Cervelli, Head of the Programme’s Joint Secretariat, and Sophie Scarvelis, Head of its Projects Unit, explain to us how it works!
Why did the Interreg Euro-MED Programme decide to set up a Fast lane for these projects?
Curzio Cervelli : With the Fast Lane, we want to capitalise more effectively than before on the good results already achieved by our projects.
Let me explain: since 2007, we have been funding three main types of projects – those that conduct studies, those that carry out tests and those that transfer existing solutions to other territories. In practice, we have encountered two limitations. Projects belonging to a single type could not move on to another phase. And projects belonging to two types – study and test, or test and transfer – devoted most of their work to the test phase alone.
Based on this experience, we have revised our approach for the 2021-2027 Programme. This time, we have created three distinct types of projects with shorter durations – study, test or transfer – and allowed some of them to move on to the next phase depending on the quality of their results. The Fast lane is the simplified procedure that allows them to do that.
From an operational point of view, how will this Fast lane be implemented?
Sophie Scarvelis: We have opted for two different procedures. For the “Study-to-Test” Fast lane a call for projects has just been launched and four pre-selected projects have been invited to participate. A simplified form will allow for faster evaluation of applications. For the “Test-to-Transfer” Fast lane, the procedure is even simpler: pre-selected candidates will just have to request a modification of their current project!
In both cases, it will be possible, and even strongly recommended, to involve new partners in these projects – particularly if they have the skills that are essential for the transition to the new phase. We do, however, require continuity with at least three partners from the initial project – including the lead partner – which must keep being involved.
Curzio Cervelli: Yes, we are very much in favour of partners which would be able to work in other configurations and develop new skills together; or which could modify their initial area of intervention and cooperate with other partners.
In concrete terms, how will projects be selected to move on to the next phase via the Fast lane?
Sophie Scarvelis: The selection will be made in three steps. It will first focus on the administrative and financial performance of the initial project. Then, on the quality of the results already achieved, the transnational dimension of the solutions and strategies proposed, the strength of the organisation and the level of professionalism demonstrated by the project partners.
Finally, the analysis of the ability to move on to the next phase will be key. This means we will value the capacity either to test on the field the ideas developed during the study phase, or to ensure the effective transfer of the results already obtained in the testing phase – for example by targeting recipient territories and partners.
Curzio Cervelli: Since the Fast lane is aimed at projects that are already part of our Programme, we will have a limited number of applications to process. In addition, these projects are already familiar with our procedures, which will facilitate their evolution and enable them to focus even more on the quality of the results obtained.
How does the Fast lane contribute to the Programme’s strategy of optimising results?
Curzio Cervelli: TheFast lane is designed to be quick, direct and based on solid results. We seek to minimise as much as possible the time between the consecutive phases, so that they can build on their momentum and further their work. It is an innovative capitalisation approach that emphasises project performance and partner commitment.
Sophie Scarvelis: It is an evolution of our practices and the way we promote our results. More than ever, we are focusing on quality and aiming to ensure that the selected projects develop the most effective actions and achieve the most visible and useful results for the territories concerned.
