A call for proposals worth €83.7 million in EU funding specifically dedicated to accelerate the green transition in the Mediterranean through collaborative solutions: this is the key outcome of the recent meeting of the Monitoring Committee, Interreg NEXT MED’s decision-making body, held on July 17-18, 2024, in Athens.

Following the Managing Authority’s proposals reflecting the broad impacts of climate change on ecosystems, resources, communities, and businesses, the Monitoring Committee members representing 15 countries have agreed on a collective ambition for a more climate-resilient Mediterranean region. This commitment underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive societal and policy transformation to address the Mediterranean region’s rapid warming, which is occurring 20% faster than the global average (United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change).

The chosen approach extends beyond ‘traditional’ environmental issues like water management or energy efficiency, promoting sustainable solutions across a wide range of sectors to foster their green transformation. These include supporting SMEs in decarbonizing their business models, advancing innovative climate technologies, enhancing education and training on climate challenges, integrating climate goals into public policies, and preparing health systems for climate-related diseases. Furthermore, the call for proposals aims to empower individuals to adopt sustainable lifestyles and consumption habits.

The call will focus on funding projects that deliver collaborative green and climate-friendly solutions aligned with the nine Specific Objectives of the Interreg NEXT MED Programme. These are:

1.1 Research and innovation
1.2 Growth and competitiveness of SMEs
2.1 Energy efficiency
2.2 Climate change adaptation
2.3 Water management
2.4 Circular economy
3.1 Education and training
3.2 Health care
4.1 Governance

The evaluation criteria as well as the main rules for participation in the call were also approved by the Monitoring Committee. The call for proposals is expected to be launched in the second half of the year.

During the meeting, chaired by the Autonomous Region of Sardinia as Managing Authority of Interreg NEXT MED Programme, the 2024-2025 action plan for the Interreg multi-programme coordination mechanism was approved: this unique platform gathering 7 members – Interreg NEXT MED, Euro-MED, Italy-France Maritime, Italy-Croatia, Greece-Cyprus, Italy-Malta, Italy-Tunisia programmes – and 3 observers – Interreg IPA ADRION, IPA South Adriatic, Italy-Slovenia programmes – aims to facilitate structured collaboration, exchange of best practices, and maximize the overall impact of Interreg initiatives.

Additionally, the Monitoring Committee reviewed the impressive results of the first call for proposals, which saw over 630 applications, showcasing the vitality of the Euro-Mediterranean partnership despite regional challenges. The Managing Authority provided updates on the ongoing evaluation processes.

Finally, discussions among the 15 countries and the European Commission’s DG for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO) focused on post-2027 perspectives for Interreg. NEXT MED, along with other Interreg programs, will submit a report by the end of the year containing key recommendations to inform the European Commission’s policy proposals for the 2028-2034 period. This report will be based on the outcomes of a broad stakeholder consultation conducted in collaboration with other Interreg transnational programmes.