
Peer review
Our peer review service can help you resolve your policy challenge with selected peers and our experts.
What is a peer review?
A peer review is a two-day meeting in which you look at your regional policy challenge together with a group of carefully selected peers with relevant experience and our Platform experts. Relevant local stakeholders can also be involved. The objective is to give you advice, recommendations and an action plan to resolve your challenge.
During the peer review, you will get:
- An in-depth analysis of your policy challenge
- An exchange of experience with relevant policymakers
- A presentation of potential solutions
You will benefit from specific recommendations and knowledge to make better-informed decisions.
Peer review experiences
Take a look at experiences from previous beneficiaries in these short videos.
Frequently asked questions
You can submit your application at any time. The assessment is made on a rolling basis within a month from the reception of an application.
- Start by consulting the Terms of Reference to make sure you are eligible
- Download the template to prepare your application.
- Submit your application by filling in the online form.
In case you have any questions, contact the Thematic Managers of the Policy Learning Platform, Elena Ferrario or Antoine Duquennoy.
We look for peers with relevant thematic experience and expertise according to the information you provide in your application form.
First, through a “call for interest”, we conduct a list of selected European policymakers from the Interreg Europe community who are best suited to understand your specific territorial and policy context, and who can give you concrete and useful advice.
Then, we consult with you the list of selected peers who agreed to participate to make the final selection.
We offer the possibility to cover catering, interpretation and local transport costs for study visits (if relevant) for the beneficiaries of peer reviews. Furthermore, the Platform can cover travel and staff costs for participation of peers within certain ceilings. You can find additional details in the Terms of Reference.
Read the Terms of Reference.
When you are ready to start your application, download the template and submit your official request by filling in the online form.
Explore our peer review methodology below:
You can also find more information about how the peer review process works in practice and how to apply in our peer review publication.
Public authorities already involved in an Interreg Europe project (as partner or stakeholder) can apply for a peer review only on topics that do not overlap with the issues tackled by the project. In case of a high number of requests, priority will be given to public organisations that are not involved in approved projects.
Experiences from beneficiaries

The peer review has proved to be a strong instrument to convince regional leadership and policymakers to foster changes and innovations proven successful in other regions.

Sharing your experience as a peer is interesting and exciting. Seeing the strong interest of the host region is encouraging and motivating.

Apply for a peer review
Submit your peer review application today and find solutions to your policy challenge with our experts and peers!
Latest peer review reports
Read about previous peer reviews in the reports.

Biobased building materials in the Province of Zeeland
On 29-30 May 2023, the Policy Learning Platform held an onsite peer review for the Province of Zeeland, which requested advice regarding their policy challenge on how to scale-up use of biobased building materials in the region.
Sustainable eco-system for creative industries in Leitrim County Council
The Policy Learning Platform conducted a peer review for the Leitrim County Council, on 02-03 May 2024, in Carrick-on-Shannon, Ireland. The peer review sought to give advice on how to provide the best support to local entrepreneurs from the design and film sector._04bbb.jpg)
Promoting gender inclusive urban planning policies in Valenciennes Métropole
The Policy Learning Platform conducted a peer review for Valenciennes Métropole, France, held on 17-18 April 2024. Valenciennes Métropole sought inspiration to promote gender inclusive urban policies, namely regarding the process to involve stakeholders in a gender mainstreaming approach.
CO2 impact assessment methodologies for applicants and funding program owners
On 30-31 January 2024, the Policy Learning Platform held an onsite peer review for the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Energy, Transportation, and Housing from German State of Hesse, which requested advice regarding their policy challenge on assessing applicants for funding based on the potential CO2 impact of the projects.
Financing and incentivising energy renovation of condominiums
On 31 January – 1 February 2024, the Policy Learning Platform organised a peer review for the Métropole Européenne de Lille (MEL), France, which requested advice on ‘Financing and incentivising energy-efficient renovation of condominiums’.
Challenge-driven innovation to promote university-industry collaboration
The Policy Learning Platform conducted a peer review for the Autonomous Region of the Azores, Portugal, held on 30-31 January 2024. The Azores government sought inspiration to promote challenge-driven innovation policies for university-industry collaboration.
New financial instruments to support development of enterprises in Usti Region
On 14-15 November 2023, the Policy Learning Platform held an on-site peer review for the Innovation Center Ústí nad Labem (ICUK), which requested advice regarding their policy challenge on the set up of financial instruments in support of local entreprises in Usti nad Labem.
Early school leaving and integration of NEETS into the labour market in Réunion Island
On 28-30 November 2023, the Policy Learning Platform hosted a peer review for the Regional Council of La Réunion (France). The Region was looking for advice and inspiration on how to prevent school and academic dropout rates, as well as to increase the employment rate of young people.d988.jpg)
The implementation of DRT-Services in Saarland's public transport system
On 28-29 November 2023, the Policy Learning Platform held an on-site peer review for the Saarland’s Ministry for the Environment, Climate Protection, Mobility, Agriculture and Consumer Protection, which requested advice regarding their policy challenge on the implementation of on-demand public transport in the region._0a426.jpg)
Implementing low emission zones in Romania
On 21-22 November 2023, the Policy Learning Platform held an online peer review for the Romanian Ministry of Development, Public Works and Administration, which requested advice regarding their policy challenge on establishing low emission zones in the country.
Mobility on islands & participatory processes: key learnings
On 14-16 November 2023, the Policy Learning Platform organised an online peer review for the Regional Council of La Reunion (France) which requested advice regarding their two policy challenges ‘Sustainable mobility on islands’ and ‘Uptake of results from participatory processes’.
European Value Chains for the green transition
The Policy Learning Platform hosted a peer review for the Regional Council of Jämtland-Härjedalen, in Östersund, Sweden, on 14-15 November 2023. The Region was looking for inspiration on how to build European value chains for the green industrial transition.
Circular bioeconomy in the province of Noord Brabant
On 25 and 26 October 2023, the Policy Learning Platform held an onsite peer review for the Province of Noord Brabant, which requested advice regarding their policy challenge on how to promote and foster circular bioeconomy in the region.
Mobility as a service for low-density areas: key learnings
On 17-18 October 2023, the Policy Learning Platform held an onsite peer review in Portugal for the Commission for Coordination and Development of the Alentejo Region (CCDRA), which requested advice regarding their policy challenge on Mobility as a Service (MaaS) for very low-density areas. Discover the key learnings.