Cross-Border Cooperation Programme Interreg V-A Poland-Slovakia addresses the most important cross-border challenges which are linked to the implementation of the Europe 2020 strategy in the Polish-Slovak border region. Among other strategic objectives, the programme will promote effective and sustainable use of natural and cultural heritage. One of three funding priorities aims at «Protection and development of the cross-border area's natural environmental and cultural heritage». However the challenges related to the protection of the cultural heritage in the mountain areas are not directly addressed and this could be supplemented.

This cross-border programme intended to improve the quality of life of inhabitants in the cooperation area 5 thematic objectives. The direct beneficiaries of this programme include a wide variety of organisations, both public and private. As far as the project proposal is concerned, we intend to address the Thematic Objective 6. – Preserving and Protecting the environment and promoting resource efficiency and Priority 6.C – Protection, promotion and development of natural and cultural heritage. Specific Objective for Priority 6.C include: Protect and valorise the cultural and natural patrimony as support of the economic basis of the cross-border regions. In the programme any specific measures for areas which have parts of its territory located in natural and protected areas, or natural and cultural heritage parts located in mountain areas such as in the Eurorregion Galicia-North Portugal, or even territories with other specific features , are not mentioned. These specific features includes low population density, the lack of smart specialization, knowledge-based sectors, or ageing population. On the other hand, these areas possess unique landscapes, great cultural resources, and natural parks, which – if well used - may contribute to the economic and social development.

During the previous period ALCOTRA 2007-2013 programme was focused on initiatives that concerned the European objective „Sustainable Growth”. Most of the financed projects (40%) addressed activities such as: promotion of geographical, natural and cultural peculiarities, actions on the cross border area which preserving the natural and cultural heritage. Important activities in the ALCOTRA programme are focused on emphasizing and strengthening the importance of networking activities and actions for the existing heritage sites through shared initiatives. The Thematic Objective 6 „Preserve and the environment and promote an efficient use of the resources” with the priority of investment c) Maintaining, protecting, promoting and developing natural and cultural heritage are points of importance. To achieve objectives ALCOTRA aims at increasing sustainable tourism in the area, improving habitat management, SMEs involvement, promoting the attractiveness of mountain areas. In order to achieve sustainable use of this mutual patrimony Association Européenne des élus de Montagne (AEM) and the UNCEM will focus on more direct involvement of small local authorities located in the area. UNCEM and AEM could transfer best practices tested in the day-to-day networking activity to strengthen a long-term impact.