Interreg – small projects pursue the objective of improving cross-border institutional cooperation and projects, aimed at the exchange of experience, knowledge transfer and formation of networks, creating the basis for further joint projects or tangible outcomes with added value for the region. Also, the aim is for the traditional connection of people in the border regions to be reinforced and identification with the Lake Constance region increased. Products will also be encouraged that have a model character, and which contribute to the implementation of territorial strategies or develop new approaches to common challenges in the Lake Constance region. The objective of the Interreg exchange project is to strengthen cross-border relationships of trust at a local and regional level along with mutual understanding and knowledge about the region, and to increase regional identity. The International Lake Constance Conference (ILCC) functions as a platform and represents the interest of the 10 countries and cantons around Lake Constance. According to the ILCC mission statement it pursues the object of maintaining and promoting the Lake Constance region as an attractive living, natural, cultural and economic area, as well as strengthening regional belonging. ILCC is the core of a network of cross-border cooperation in the Lake Constance region, with numerous bodies and institutions at all levels, covering almost all topics. There is a long-standing tradition of neighbourly cooperation in the Lake Constance region, which manifests itself across the borders in many established institutions. However, the border neighbour contacts are less marked at the level of population and society. In 2010, ILCC therefore created a promotional offer for cross-border meeting and exchange projects, particularly at the local and regional level, namely the ILCC small fund project. Thanks to the ILCC small project fund and the Interreg small projects announced, additional networks and partnerships have been created and cross-border civic engagement has been encouraged, contributing to the improvement of the living conditions of citizens in the border area. Based on the thematic openness of the small project fund, numerous synergetic effects may result in order to further meet the aims of the Interreg programme. The institutional cooperation on the one hand, and the approaches to social integration in the programme region on the other hand, are promoted based on different procedures: • “ILCC exchange projects” focus on the field of social integration and increasing cross-border civic engagement. Those projects are funded with total costs usually of up to EUR 5,000 and a maximum funding of EUR 2,500. Funding is made with money from the ILCC budget (not involving Interreg). Joint projects are considered from private individuals, schools, associations and other groups, from all areas of life, e.g. environment, sport, culture and social. • “Interreg small projects” focus on the improvement of cross-border institutional cooperation. Projects are funded in particular that target the exchange of experiences, form networks and create the basis for continuing joint projects, which have a model character, or develop new approaches to joint challenges in the Lake Constance region. It is particularly suitable for institutions, NGOs, associations, societies and bodies. Funding is carried out using Interreg money. Those cross-border projects are funded that have total costs of up to EUR 50,000, with a maximum funding sum of EUR 25,000, and a funding rate of 60% for costs from EU partners and 50% for costs from partners in Switzerland or the principality of Liechtenstein. National financing is supplied by the small project partners themselves. For the Interreg small projects, the funding guidelines of the Interreg programme apply, along with its selection criteria and specifications regarding the proof of the effects of the projects.