2.6 Horizontal Principles

Horizontal principles must be incorporated in every project and at all stages; from project design and implementation, to outputs and project evaluation. This means that taking into account the challenges in the Programme area, project activities should strive for sustainable development, with gender equality, non-discrimination and accessibility and inclusion of underrepresented groups, including indigenous peoples and other culturally and linguistically distinct groups originating from the NPA area. Activities should be carried out with respect for fundamental rights.

More specifically, every project approved by the Interreg Northern Periphery and Arctic Programme is required to contribute to the improvement of the following 4 initial horizontal principles^[1]:

• The EU Charter of Fundamental Rights

• gender equality

• non-discrimination (including accessibility)

• sustainable development

Understanding and integrating these initial horizontal principles is highly relevant to all applicants and will influence the selection process.

The programme provides guidance and training on horizontal principles during the project implementation phase.

How to include Horizontal Principles in the project

When writing project applications, applicants have to already think about how these three horizontal principles will be addressed during the project implementation and embedded in all project activities. It is important that you, the applicant, describe these concrete actions and ideas clearly in the application form.

See this not as the starting point, but the continuation of what your organisation is already doing. Are there any best practices for social, economic, or environmental sustainability that your organisation has come up with? Would these be useful to share with other project partners and to include into the project? These practices can be very different and tailored to the needs of the organisation.

In the guidance materials, you can find tips for how to move Horizontal Principles higher on the agenda. The materials help you review best practices from your own organisation, and help you describe concrete project actions that contribute to a greener, more inclusive NPA.

2.6.1. The EU Charter of Fundamental Rights

All projects must respect fundamental rights according to the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union^[2]. The Charter outlines the fundamental rights and freedoms of European citizens, whilst taking into account values of solidarity and justice. The fundamental rights described in the EU Charter are viewed as integral and foundational for the other 3 initial horizontal principles.

2.6.2. Gender equality

All projects shall ensure that equality between men and women, gender mainstreaming, and the integration of a gender perspective are taken into account and promoted at all stages of the project lifecycle.

When writing a project application, think about how your project will ensure that there is an equal gender representation in your project. And more importantly, consider how you are planning to reach out to and involve the gender that is underrepresented in the project´s activities and implementation. Write down concrete steps, actions, lists of organisations to reach out to, etc

Find inspiration on how to reach gender-balance in projects, here.

2.6.3. Non-discrimination

Projects shall take appropriate steps to prevent any discrimination based on gender, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation during the preparation, implementation, and evaluation of projects. In particular, accessibility for persons with disabilities shall be taken into account throughout the preparation and implementation of projects. Projects should strive to involve underrepresented groups, including indigenous peoples and other culturally and linguistically distinct groups originating from the NPA area. 

When writing a project application, describe concrete steps, ideas, and plans on how your project will prevent any discrimination and ensure that everyone has an opportunity and possibility to join project activities, get to know about the achievements, and benefit from the results. Be as concrete as possible in describing how the project will reach out to and involve underrepresented groups.

Get inspiration on how to be more inclusive in project´s activities, event, meetings and during its implementation, here.

2.6.4. Sustainable development

Projects should be carried out in line with the objective of promoting sustainable development, taking into account the UN Sustainable Development Goals^[1], the Paris Agreement^[2] and the "do no significant harm" principle^[3] (DNSH). The objectives of the programme take into account the DNSH principle, and for this reason, all projects addressing the objectives of the programme are in line with the DNSH principle.

Projects are expected to undertake actions throughout the project lifecycle to avoid, or reduce, the environmentally harmful effects of interventions and ensure beneficial social, environmental and climate results through:

• directing investments towards the most resource-efficient and sustainable options;

• avoiding investments that may have a significant negative environmental or climate impact, and supporting actions to mitigate any remaining impacts;

• taking a long-term perspective when ‘life-cycle’ costs of alternative options for investment are compared; and

• increasing the use of green public procurement.

When writing a project application, describe concrete steps, ideas, and plans on how your project planning is to make its activities, management, and implementation more sustainable and environmentally friendly. Does your organisation have a list of recommendations on how to decrease the carbon footprint of its events, meetings, or workshops? Does it fit to your project to organize paper-free meetings and events? Can you think of other actions to make your project activities more sustainable and environmentally friendly? Write them on the application form.

Get inspiration on how to make your project greener and more sustainable, here.

2.6.5 Other horizontal principles relevant for projects

 New European Bauhaus

The New European Bauhaus^[4] is an interdisciplinary initiative of the European Commission, that advocates a holistic and balanced approach between 3 core values: sustainability, inclusivity, and aesthetics. Where relevant, projects are invited to apply this holistic approach in their design and implementation.

Strategic Procurement

The Interreg NPA supports the strategic use of public procurement^[5] to support Policy Objectives. Projects are encouraged to use more quality related and lifecycle cost criteria. When feasible, environmental (e.g. green public procurement criteria) and social considerations as well as innovation incentives should be incorporated into public procurement procedures.

[1] Article 9, Common Provisions Regulation (EU) 2021/1060, link,

[2] Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union 2012/C 326/02, link

[1] United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, link

[2] The United Nations 2015 Paris Agreement, link

[3] Articles 6 and 17, Sustainable Finance Taxonomy Regulation (EU) 2020/852, link

[4] New European Bauhaus, https://europa.eu/new-european-bauhaus/index_en

[5] European Commission’s Public Procurement Action Plan, link