Parliamentary Secretary for EU Funds Aaron Farrugia said today that local organizations are being offered the possibility to avail themselves of €84 Million under the ENI CBC Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme, funded by the European Union.

He this morning announced the first call for proposals for standard projects to benefit from the European Neighbourhood Policy, cooperating across borders in the Mediterranean programme.

The rationale behind the proposals, is to strengthen relations between the EU Member States and their neighbouring Mediterranean countries, with the sharing of good practices, success stories and knowledge between 12 other countries.

Dr. Aaron Farrugia explained that this programme covering 2014-2020 provides opportunities to turn the Mediterranean into the most vibrant region in the world in the following areas: Business and SMEs development; support to education, research, technological development and innovation; promotion of social inclusion and the fight against poverty; Environmental protection, climate change adaptation and mitigation.

The Parliamentary Secretary stated that these objectives fit very well with Malta's national priorities, and pledged the full support and commitment of government towards this programme by ensuring that all policy decisions substantiated by budget measures shall be put in practice to encourage the active participation of Maltese entities in a holistic and coordinated approach.

Farrugia met the Managing Authority, the Joint Secretariat, the Valencia Branch Office and the Funds and Programmes Division "who shall be managing and ensuring the success of this Programme which has a total budget of €209 Million."