European Commission adopts new ENI CBC Med Programme: €209 million for cross-cooperation in the Mediterranean

The European Commission has adopted on 17 December the 2014-2020 cross-border cooperation (CBC) “Mediterranean Sea Basin” Programme with €209 million of EU funding under the European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI).

The Programme aims to foster fair, equitable and sustainable economic, social and territorial development in regions placed along the shores of the Mediterranean Sea.

"Cross-border cooperation plays a key role in avoiding the creation of new dividing lines. This new funding will further contribute to a more integrated and sustainable regional development in the neighbouring border regions and to a more harmonious territorial cooperation on EU's external borders,'' said Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn.

The Programme provides a framework for implementing cooperation projects in four main thematic objectives:

• Business and SMEs development, through support to start-up enterprises and the enhancement of Euro-Mediterranean value chains and clusters. Diversification of tourism into new segments and niches is also part of this objective.
• Support to education, research, technological development and innovation, with focus on technological transfer, commercialization of research results and links between industry and research.
• Promotion of social inclusion and the fight against poverty, addressing the NEETS category (Not in Education, Employment or Training) as well actors from the social and solidarity economy.  
• Environmental protection, climate change adaptation and mitigation, including efficiency in water, waste and energy management as well as conservation of coastal areas.