Rural and peripheral areas in the North Sea Region face particular challenges but also possess unique qualities that underpin the potential for the development of the regions.

The projects of the North Sea Programme make these areas more attractive for people to live and invest in.

North Sea coasts are vulnerable to natural and human induced disasters.

The rich experience in the North Sea in the field of risk management and prevention safeguards millions of human lives, inspires strong cooperation and sets high standards for other regions to learn from.

In the North Sea Region some people work and live in big metropolitan areas but others live in great isolation.

Our projects look for responsible solutions to these problems, connecting people with each other and with the rest of Europe.

Environmental capital needs to be managed responsibly just as much as human and economic capital.

All partners in the North Sea projects have assured that natural resources and valuable ecosystems are responsibly developed and preserved for future generations.

Knowledge-based societies making use of innovation technologies are a decisive factor that determines the levels of regional competitiveness.

Through the North Sea projects people can make informed decisions, influence developments and benefit from the development of new technologies.

In the North Sea Region many cities and towns enjoy a strong economic uptake but also many have sufferred from the decline of traditional occupations.

Many projects revitalise city centres and waterfront areas, reunite urban areas with their fringes and provide a better place to live for the North Sea population.