The programme of territorial cooperation of the Southeast European space (SUDOE) supports regional development by co-financing transnational projects through the ERDF (European Regional Development Fund).

The public actors of the Spanish, French, Portuguese and British (Gibraltar) regions may contribute to the growth and sustainable development of this Southeast European space, by developing transnational development projects related with innovation, environment, new information technologies and sustainable urban development.

By working together, these regional actors will join forces so that the Southeast Europe meets the European Union strategies concerning growth, employment and sustainable development.

Transnational cooperation began in the Southeast European space with the INTERREG III B SUDOE Community Initiative Programme. Now at the goal level of the European regional policy, the INTERREG IV B SUDOE territorial cooperation programme is the direct successor of the INTERREG III B SUDOE programme.

This new generation of the SUDOE programme is part of the European territorial cooperation Goal co-financed by structural funds for the 2007-2013 period. Developed by the four Member States (Spain, France, Portugal and UK - Gibraltar) the operational programme of the Southeast European space (PO SUDOE) 2007-2013 territorial cooperation goal is the reference document that sets, among other things, the possible cooperation axis and the co-financing allowed to the potential beneficiaries. The PO SUDOE was approved by the European Commission by its Decision (2007) 4347 of the 26th September 2007.

After the carrying out of an analysis of the Southeast Europe regarding its demography, its socioeconomic and environmental characteristics, etc., the main goal that was searched for in the development of a new strategy which will aim at reinforcing its strengths and correcting its weaknesses was consolidating the Southeast European State as a territorial cooperation space in the fields of competitiveness and innovation, environment, sustainable development and land-use planning, which will contribute to guarantee a harmonious and balanced integration of its regions in the context of the social and economic cohesion goals of the European Union.