A total of 419 proposals were submitted under the call for standard projects, whose objective is to contribute to make the Mediterranean a more competitive, innovative, inclusive and sustainable area.

Following the closure of the first call for proposals on 24th of January 2018, the Managing Authority is pleased to announce that 419 proposals were submitted, amounting to a total value of over €1 billion (around €940 million of ENI contribution were requested): this corresponds to 11 times the budget of the call which is €84.6 million. The value of the proposals is considerable taking into account the budget of the European Neighbourhood Policy for the 2014-2020 period, i.e. €15.4 billion.

The proposals involve 2,959 organizations from the 13 countries participating in the Programme, as well as a limited number of international organizations.

Balanced participation

An almost equal participation of organizations from Mediterranean Partner Countries and EU Mediterranean Countries, 49% vs. 51%, was achieved. While the signature process of Financing Agreements has probably impacted on the number of Lead Applicants from Mediterranean Partner Countries, these latter are allocated 53% of the projects budget.

As in the 2007-2013 ENPI CBC Med Programme, Italy continues to be the most active country, totalling 579 organizations involved. With 430 actors, Tunisia is the second country, followed by Greece, Spain, Jordan, Lebanon and Palestine.

Regarding the legal status of the organizations involved, a significant participation of companies and civil society organizations, has been witnessed both at partner and Lead Applicant level.

Sustainable tourism leads the way

Sustainable tourism is the most popular priority of the call, followed by the support to Euro-Mediterranean economic clusters. It is worth mentioning the keen interest for the new thematic objectives introduced in the framework of the ENI CBC Med Programme, namely “Innovation and technological transfer” and “Social inclusion and the fight against poverty”. Priorities related to environmental sustainability and mitigation of climate change, water efficiency, waste management, renewable energy and energy efficiency, integrated coastal zone management – remain key drivers for Euro-Mediterranean cooperation.

The EU-funded ENI CBC Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme 2014-2020 offers cooperation opportunities between partners from the Mediterranean area in fields of intervention such as economic development, education and research, social inclusion and environmental protection.

Read More

Press Release

ENI Cross-Border Cooperation In The Mediterranean