Projects worth a total of e5.09 million have been approved for funding by the Interreg IIIA Italia-Malta Programme, a cross-border programme funded by the European Union.

A total of 11 projects have been chosen from the 48 proposals submitted jointly by Maltese and Italian organisations following a call for applications published last July.

The selected projects are aimed at strengthening the socio-economic and cultural links between Malta and Sicily by encouraging cooperation between public, public-equivalent and non-governmental organisations. Each project has at least one Maltese partner.

The majority of the projects focus on developing the cultural identity of both Malta and Sicily through the promotion of the historical heritage of both islands and the protection of the natural environment. This will involve research, the exchange of experiences, the drawing up of new tourist routes, the promotion of common traditions and the strengthening of cooperation in tourism to both Malta and Sicily.

The projects are expected to begin by March and reach completion in 2008. All the projects involve a wide range of participants, including public, national and regional entities, universities, public-equivalent bodies and research centres. Further projects are expected to be selected for funding over the coming months.

The Italia-Malta Programme has a budget of e6.83 million, of which e5.12 million is sourced from the European Union’s European Regional Develop-ment Fund (ERDF).

Five provinces in the southeast of Sicily, as well as Palermo and Catania, are eligible to participate in projects with partner organisations from Malta and Gozo.

Further information on the Interreg IIIA Italia-Malta Programme can be found on the websites of the managing authority of the programme, the Presidenza della Regione Siciliana (www.euroinfosicilia.it) and the national coordinator of the programme (Malta), the Planning and Priorities Coordination Division, Office of the Prime Minister, (www.ppcd.gov.mt).