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Interreg e-portal: from grant application to payment, fully digital

Interreg e-portal: from grant application to payment, fully digital
Interreg Flanders–Netherlands is a European Union funding programme that encourages cooperation between regions and countries. The programme manages a complex grant process in which the European Commission transfers advances and reimbursements to Interreg through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). This enables Interreg, in turn, to reimburse project expenditure incurred by participating organisations and collaborative projects.

Bridg’s Microsoft Business Solutions team built the Interreg e-counter. A modern digital platform that supports the entire process, from initial submission to final payment. It brings together Interreg staff, organisations submitting an application and external integration partners in one central environment.

Reporting to the EU requires a streamlined approach

Managing and reporting on grants involves a great many administrative steps. Information was collected and processed through various files and channels. Although this approach served its purpose for many years, the need grew for a more integrated and structured method that better supports both applicants and case managers.

In addition, strict requirements apply to data integrity and the retention of historical project, organisation and declaration data. Audits and checks must also be carried out efficiently. There was therefore a need for a platform that makes historical data clear and easy to access.

“The integration with our track-and-trace module in the e-counter, which records every data change, is a perfect fit for this. Changes can be approved by role, meaning users only ever see the validated data”, says Arnaud Boussaer, IT Consultant at Bridg.

Bridg - European Union

Everyone involved, everything in one portal

The Interreg e-portal guides everyone involved throughout the entire funding process. A real-time project file displays project titles, statuses and the corresponding calls at a glance. For applicants, this creates clarity and peace of mind. For administrators, it means complete control.

Roles are clearly defined. Project partners receive tailored read or write access. Programme staff can view the information. Where necessary, the project manager can view, amend, approve, adjust and carry out actions on behalf of a partner. Everyone works in the same environment, with the same information, making separate follow-up by email unnecessary.

The platform is also aligned with the five levels of financial control, from the project partner (self-check) through checks by the project manager (lead partner), first-level checks via CATE (Deloitte’s control system), to the managing authority (Interreg) and the audit authority.

Technology that proactively supports you, from start to finish

The e-service portal does more than just digitise administrative tasks. It guides the people who work with it through every stage of the process. Built-in checks and standard templates ensure consistency. Automated notifications alert users in good time to outstanding steps

The platform does not operate in isolation either. Thanks to extensive options for making data available via APIs, the information can also be shared with other authorities and funding programmes.

The benefits at a glance:

  • Shorter approval times and fewer errors

  • Clear status overview for applicants and staff

  • Better insight into budgets and expenditure per project

  • Simplified reporting to the EU and internal stakeholders

  • Full support for all five levels of control.

What was developed for Interreg can therefore be used more broadly by organisations working with similar processes.

Looking for a partner for your digital challenges?We are happy to contribute ideas.

Schedule a conversation with one of our experts via info@bridg-software.eu