| The multilateral "Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme |
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The multilateral "Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme" is part of the new European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI) for the 2007-2013 period: it includes the regions of the European Union (EU) and those of the partner countries placed along the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. It is a cross-border cooperation Programme complementing the Barcelona Process on the Euro-Mediterranean partnership, which continues to be a key element of the EU relations with the Mediterranean countries. In the current programming phase, the representatives of all the participating countries constitute the Joint Task Force (TFC) which, under the coordination of the Joint Managing Authority (JMA), is in charge of the definition of the Joint Operational Programme, a document fixing the priorities and the measures to achieve in relation with the objectives formulated by the European Commission for the cross-border cooperation (CBC) component of the ENPI. The Operational Programme also defines the allocation of the resources for each priority as well as the management modalities of the Programme (joint managing structures and procedures). The Programme is currently being finalised and its implementation will start after its approval by the European Commission (April 2008). Based on the EU orientations for the cross-border cooperation component of the ENPI, the representatives of all involved countries have identified the topics of the Programme: promotion of socio-economic development and enhancement of the territories, promotion of environmental sustainability at Basin level, promotion of better conditions and modalities for the circulation of persons, goods and capitals, promotion of cultural dialogue and governance at local level. Through calls for proposals, joint projects submitted by public and private actors, coming from eligible territories, will be selected and financed, and this according to the Implementing Rules. In particular, the beneficiaries will be: local and regional public authorities, NGOs, development agencies, universities and research institutes, local and regional private actors operating in the fields of intervention of the Programme, etc… The management of the Programme is provided by the Joint Managing Authority assisted by a Joint Technical Secretariat, on the base of the strategic decisions taken by the Monitoring Committee where all the participating countries are represented. The ENPI/CBC Mediterranean Programme has a budget of € 173 million for the period 2007 - 2013, coming from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and from the financial allocations under the Heading 4 - EU as global partner - of the EC budget. The participating countries will add to this amount a minimum co-financing of 10% of the EU contribution. Background The European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) was developed in the context of the EU 2004 enlargement, with the objective of avoiding the emergence of new dividing lines between the enlarged EU and its neighbours and instead strengthening stability, security and well-being for all concerned. Throughout the ENP, the EU offers its neighbours a privileged relationship, building upon a mutual commitment to common values (democracy and human rights, rule of law, good governance, market economy principles and sustainable development). Since 2007, the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI) has replaced the previous geographic and thematic EC assistance programmes. A specific and innovative feature of the ENPI is its Cross-border Cooperation (CBC) component, which aims at reinforcing cooperation between the territories located along the internal and external borders of the European Union. The Joint Operational Programmes implemented in this context - governed by a European Commission specific Regulation laying down implementing rules - bring together regions in Members States and partner countries sharing a land or maritime common border. Two types of programmes will be established: bilateral, for common land borders (or short sea crossing) and multilateral, covering a sea basin. The "Mediterranean Sea Basin" Programme, whose Joint Managing Authority is the Region Sardinia, is part of these last ones. Documents - Download the Operational Programme - English version of 20/12/2007 [file.pdf]; - See presentation of the ENPI/CBC Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme [file.pdf]; - See the map of the Programme [file.pdf]; |