The Programme Monitoring Committee of the Northern Periphery Programme has identified the programme gap “Urban-rural partnerships for new service solutions” as not sufficiently addressed. 

To help preparatory project applicants address this objective in their preparatory project application, the following points of reference have been identified by a panel of experts and are complementary to the project theme.

• Projects including rural multi-service centres with urban linkages leading to improved accessibility and availability of services in rural areas through urban collaboration and ICT are welcome. 
• Projects enabling cross-sectoral urban/rural involvement with young people are welcomed; especially if addressing the challenges of youth out-migration through business and organisation support mechanisms.
• Projects should place a strong emphasis on an appropriate mix of private, public and voluntary sector partnerships from an early stage. 
• Projects should demonstrate their innovative, enterprising, and entrepreneurial solutions involving links between urban and rural centres.

The application form and guidance can be downloaded on the Special Call page.