The Interreg MED is an EU-funded programme which aims to boost transnational cooperation among Mediterranean countries.
Through the use of innovative methods and solutions related to the circular economy, the programme wants to deal with the specific elements of the region and help it cope with rising challenges ranging from a low carbon economy to the protection of natural and cultural resources.
Speaking to EURACTIV on the sidelines of the event “MEDforYOU: Unfolding a strong narrative for policy change” organised in Athens on 25 October, several stakeholders presented pilot projects related to agriculture, circular economy, blue growth and sustainable tourism.
In this Special Report, we will look at how Interreg MED has contributed to the region’s sustainability but also at the programme’s future in the EU’s next seven-year budget, the Multiannual Financial Framework, considering the planned cuts.
-
Interreg EU project: Tackling climate change in the ‘Mediterranean way’
An EU-funded project aims to push for green and circular economy policies in the Mediterranean in light of an alarming study, which recently pointed out that temperatures in the region are escalating much faster than the global average.
-
Aristoil: Getting the best out of Mediterranean olive oil
Aristoil, an EU-funded Interreg MED project, has been trying to boost the competitiveness of the Mediterranean olive oil sector by providing innovative methods to identify the “healthiest” part of it.
-
EU project: Mediterranean fishermen seek additional income via tourism
Faced with steadily declining fishing stocks, Mediterranean fishermen are exploring new ways to improve their income. An EU-funded Interreg MED projects vows to help fishermen to do so through tourism. EURACTIV.com reports from Athens.
-
EU official: Interreg is an ‘engine’ of regional cooperation but needs simplification
Interreg, a flagship EU cohesion policy programme, is an important engine of cooperation and trust among countries, but to address ongoing challenges such as migration or Brexit, it needs to be simplified and better coordinated and have less red tape, a high-ranking EU official told EURACTIV.com.
-
Selling electricity to neighbours: Technically feasible, but not in practice
An EU-funded Interreg project promoting microgrids technology has managed to help consumers produce renewable electricity on their own. But the ultimate objective to enable reselling the power to their neighbour has been hindered by regulatory obstacles.