Frequently Asked Questions

The Interreg North-West Europe (NWE) Programme involves Ireland, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and parts of France, Germany and the Netherlands. It has an area of 845 000 km² and is home to 180 million people. Considered as one of the most dynamic and prosperous areas of Europe, it also faces a number of environmental, social and economic needs and challenges.

The boundaries of the Interreg NWE Programme can be seen here: https://www.nweurope.eu/about-the-programme/the-nwe-area/

No, the STEPS Business Support Programme can only support SMEs that are headquartered in North-West Europe as defined by the Interreg NWE Programme (see Q1).

Yes, all SMEs that applied for the first call for applications and did not receive knowledge support in the first call can apply again. We encourage you to do so, as we received many applications in the first call and therefore needed to reject SMEs that were suitable for the STEPS programme. You will need to fill in and submit your application again.

No, it is not possible to make changes after submission. We therefore advise applicants to allocate adequate time to fill out the application form carefully. In the event of any errors, you are able to get in contact with your local business support partner (see here) to ask about the possibility to re-submit another application.

The category of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is made up of enterprises which employ fewer than 250 persons and which have an annual turnover not exceeding EUR 50 million, and/or an annual balance sheet total not exceeding EUR 43 million. (Extract of Article 2 of the annex to Recommendation 2003/361/EC)

Information on the definition of SMEs by the EU is available here.

Yes. As referenced above, any enterprise that employs fewer than 250 persons and that has an annual turnover not exceeding EUR 50 million, and/or an annual balance sheet total not exceeding EUR 43 million is within our scope.