Parliamentary Secretary for EU Presidency 2017 and EU Funds Ian Borg today announced that the Interreg Med Cooperation Programme 2014-2020 has been approved by the European Commission.

Dr Borg said this during an informative seminar organised by the Funds and Programming Division at the Grand Hotel Excelsior. He explained that the programme has a budgetary allocation of €275 million and will provide cooperation between regions from 10 EU Member States (Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Greece, Malta, Cyprus, UK - Gibraltar) as well as 3 candidate countries (Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania).

In his address, Parliamentary Secretary Borg explained that these funds will be utilised namely to:

·         Boost innovation through collaboration between SMEs, public authorities and research bodies, in order to promote smart and sustainable growth;

• Invest in a low-carbon economy, through energy efficiency, renewable energy production and use, as well as low carbon mobility;
• Protect biodiversity, natural and cultural resources through joint analysis and planning, as well as the transfer of good practice;
• Enhance Mediterranean governance through cooperation projects involving regional, national and international partners, in order to improve the decision-making processes and develop common strategies.

In view of the above, Dr Borg added that the first call for proposals is being envisaged to be launched in the coming months. Interested parties, who might eventually be interested in submitting joint proposals for funding under the Programme in caption, which may include public bodies, public equivalent entities and also private bodies may wish to contact the Territorial Cooperation Unit within the Funds and Programmes Division on 2200-1108 for further information.