From agro-food to solar energy: 19 strategic projects approved for funding under Mediterranean cross-border cooperation programme

Nineteen projects addressing a wide range of issues have been selected for funding under the Mediterranean cross-border cooperation programme CBC MED.

The projects will receive €73.9 million of EU funding under the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI). The 19 projects were selected by the Joint Monitoring Committee out of 50 proposals invited to participate in the second step of the programme's strategic call. All six topics addressed by the call are covered by these 19 projects. The solar energy topic accounts for 6 projects out of the 19 selected, followed by sustainable tourism (5 projects), waste treatment (3 projects), agro-food industry (2 projects), integrated coastal zone management (2 projects) and water management (1 project). 

The ENPI funds absorbed by the call are worth €73.9 million out of €75.6 million available. The remaining €1.7 million should be reallocated to the second call for standard projects following a decision of the Joint Monitoring Committee. Among the 197 organisations part of the approved projects, around 44% come from Mediterranean Partner Countries and 53% from EU Countries; 3% are international organisations. 

The 19 strategic projects add to 35 running standard projects. All of them will contribute to implementing a new way of cooperation in the Mediterranean, based on joint objectives and common benefits. 

The ENPI CBC Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme 2007/2013 is a multilateral cross-border cooperation programme funded by the European Union under the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument. It aims at reinforcing cooperation between the EU and partner countries' regions located along the shores of the Mediterranean Sea.