Problems addressed• Lack of a systematic integration of environment into strategic decision-making.• Lack of a standardised methodological approach and of operational tools for environmental assessment of plans, policies and programmes (PPP).• Lack of clear and effective tools and of proper training for a consistent application of environmental assessment to Interreg Programmes and projects. Objectives• To increase the quality of the Interreg Programmes and projects, and to expand and support the activities undertaken by the INTERACT Points (Toll Box and Qualification and Transfer) and INTERACT Secretariat.• To ensure that environmental consequences of Interreg Programmes and projects are properly identified and assessed.• To promote a more transparent planning of policies, plans and programmes, and sustainable development, through the application of SEA.Approach and methodology• Innovatory approach which foresees the elaboration of a set of tools for the application of SEA to Interreg Programmes and projects, and the implementation of dissemination and capacity building activities.• Review of the in-force legislation in EU countries concerning the evaluation of environmental effects of plans, policies and programmes, and of successful case-studies of SEA application, as baseline information for the planning of project activities.• Close and synergic cooperation among project partners and steady participation of all stakeholders during the entire project, in order to promote empowerment and ownership. Expected Results: • Useful baseline information on in-force environmental legislation, best practices of SEA application to PPP and on Interreg projects with important environmental impact.• A tool box for the application of SEA to Interreg Programmes and projects.• A set of training and dissemination initiatives.