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Call key data
Interreg Euro-MED Call 5: thematic strategic territorial projects
Funding Program
Interreg Euro-MED
deadlines
Opening
18.06.2024
Deadline
26.09.2024 13:00
Call budget
€ 35,000,000.00
Estimated EU contribution per project
max. € 4,000,000.00
Link to the call
Link to the submission
Call content
short description
This call targets exclusively Thematic Strategic Territorial projects. These projects should respond to the needs and joint challenges of a specific type of territory addressing identified strategic topics.
Thus, they primarily produce a territorial impact, based on involving all relevant stakeholders to trigger tailor-made solutions or strategies in line with the territory and the topic chosen. Those should be adapted for the targeted type of territory and be able to influence national, regional or local policies by studying (developing), testing and transferring jointly developed solutions or strategies. For this purpose, thematic strategic Territorial projects shall combine: conducting studies, testing solutions and transferring results.
Call objectives
Projects must be aligned with the Programme priorities (Priority 1: A Smarter Mediterranean & Priority 2: A Greener Mediterranean).
The Programme identified 4 missions, each with specific objectives.The candidates must choose one mission to focus their project on.
- Mission 1: Strengthening an innovative sustainable economy
- Specific objective 1.1: Consolidating a competitive innovation ecosystem
- Specific objective 2.6: Supporting circular economy
- Mission 2: Protecting, restoring and valorising the natural environment and heritage
- Specific objective 2.4: Promoting climate change adaptation and risks prevention
- Specific objective 2.7: Enhancing Nature and Biodiversity
- Mission 3: Promoting green living areas
- Specific objective 2.4: Promoting climate change adaptation and risks prevention
- Mission 4: Enhancing sustainable tourism
- Specific objective 2.4: Promoting climate change adaptation and risks prevention
- Specific objective 2.6: Supporting circular economy
- Specific objective 2.7: Enhancing Nature and Biodiversity
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Expected results
Mission 1: Strengthening an innovative sustainable economy
Specific objective 1.1: Consolidating a competitive innovation ecosystem
The development of research and innovation capacities of the 5helix stakeholders (Public authorities, Industry, Higher education and Research organisation, Civil society), in particular in the context of S3, and the uptake of advanced technologies is a driver to accelerate the transition towards innovative, sustainable and resilient ecosystems in the Mediterranean.
The results of the projects within this specific objective should aim at reinforcing sustainable economic sectors and the capacity of private and public stakeholders to implement a sustainable economy.
Indicative list of solutions:
- Solutions promoting climate friendly innovations and/or the uptake of advanced technologies related to S3 such as the development of new or acceptance of bio-based products.
- Solutions establishing innovative sustainable business models, practices, processes and capacities, in particular for SMEs of the bioeconomy sector.
- Solutions promoting innovative sustainable entrepreneurship and enhancing new skills and habits (especially among young people, new/emerging sectors and those in transition) such as the promotion of green/blue skills and jobs, and of sustainable behaviors.
- Solutions developing, implementing and monitoring of S3, in particular for the reinforcement of public stakeholders’ capacities.
- Solutions proposing access to financial schemes or tools for innovative products or services (Green and Blue finance), in particular for SMEs and public stakeholders.
- Solutions enhancing the creation value among 5helix stakeholders and cooperation pattern such as aligned policies and business practices or industrial symbiosis.
Specific objective 2.6: Supporting circular economy
Circular economy is a win-win strategy for the natural and the business environment, contributing to the reduction of carbon emissions and waste and at the same time creation of jobs and sustainable growth.
The results of the projects within this specific objective should aim at supporting territories to sustainably embed circular economy transition and to reinforce the circularity and resource efficiency of the related sectors.
Indicative list of solutions:
- Solutions promoting circular and sustainable product design and product development with an integrated life-cycle approach, in particular regarding plastic packaging.
- Solutions leading to resource efficiency in value chains, promoting the collaboration between supply chains and the related sectors.
- Solutions enhancing circular value chains by fostering the use of bio raw material.
- Solutions preventing and reducing bio-waste generation, improving its management and promoting its economic recovery, in particular preventing soil and water pollution.
- Solutions promoting sustainable consumption and consumers’ behavioural change.
- Solutions reinforcing the use of green public procurement.
Indicative list of strategies and action plans:
- Strategies and/ or action plans promoting circular economy actions on local and/or regional level.
- Strategies and/or action plans integrating sustainable production and consumption models.
- Strategies and/or action plans for resources management, increasing resources efficiency and productivity.
Mission 2: Protecting, restoring and valorising the natural environment and heritage
Specific objective 2.4: Promoting climate change adaptation and risks prevention
Indicative list of solutions:
- Solutions for assessing, preventing, monitoring and managing natural risks and risks linked to human activities, increasing climate protection;
- Nature and cultural heritage based solutions to adapt sustainable agricultural, landscape and forestry models and practices to climate change;
- Solutions to improve the climate-change resilience of eco-system based services linked to biodiversity and eco-connectivity;
- Solutions to develop and deploy water accounting;
- Methodologies, tools and partnership/cooperation agreements to design and further develop citizen participation in management and monitoring approaches.
Indicative list of strategies and action plans:
- Strategies and action plans for disaster risk prevention and prevention of natural hazards;
- Climate Change Adaptation Strategies/action plans - regional and local level: nature-based solutions for adaptation, local adaptation actions;
- Climate Action Plans - regional and local level;
- Strategy and action plans for integrating disaster risk prevention and/or climate change adaptation and resilience into further local/regional plans;
- Strategies providing support for the adoption of integrative planning (Maritime Spatial Planning, Integrated Coastal Zone Management...);
- Water management plans - river basin management plan;
- Plans for sustainable management of natural, forestry or landscape resources;
- Strategies/action plans intending to decline at territorial level EU policies for climate change adaptation, biodiversity or citizen participation.
Specific objective 2.7: Enhancing Nature and Biodiversity
Indicative list of solutions:
- Solutions for improving the sustainable management of natural resources and restoring overused and polluted natural environments at land and sea, including wetlands, urban and peri-urban areas;
- Solutions to monitor, restore degraded or polluted natural habitats, particularly in urban and peri-urban areas, allowing them to be more resilient;
- Solutions able to enhance the management, monitoring and connection of natural environments;
- Solutions to manage protected areas, also ensuring sustainable financing mechanisms;
- Green and blue infrastructures solutions for integrated management of natural ecosystems;
- Solutions for restoring natural functions of ground and surface water, including freshwater ecosystems (lakes, rivers, wetlands...);
- Solutions for co-management of natural resources across ecoregions;
Indicative list of strategies and action plans:
- Strategies and action plans addressing the improvement, implementation and enforcement of environmental policies/legislations, ensuring the links between environmental protection, sustainable development and citizens health. Protection, conservation and restoration of natural resources have to be integrated into territorial strategies as pillar towards a long term and sustainable growth;
- Strategies/action plans for the process of designation of new protected areas;
- Strategies/action plans for the management of natural resources in which public/private interests interfere;
- Strategies/action plans intending to decline at territorial level EU policies for biodiversity, sustainable water management or other key – strategies;
- Strategies/action plans for restoration of degraded and polluted areas at land, at sea or for transitional areas;
- Strategy and action plans for integrating protection and restoration of natural resources into further local/regional plans.
Mission 3: Promoting green living areas
Specific objective 2.4: Promoting climate change adaptation and risks prevention
Indicative list of solutions:
- Solutions supporting integrated planning and/or financing schemes for climate change adaptation and resilience as well as concepts for just transition;
- Solutions for rolling out nature-based solutions in living areas;
- Solutions to support climate-resilient, sustainable use and management of water in living areas.
Indicative list of strategies and action plans:
- Strategies and action plans for integrating climate adaptation and resilience into further regional/local plan;
- Strategies and action plans for urban agendas at local level;
- Strategies and action plans to contribute to a more effective implementation of existing policies and instruments,
- Strategies and action plans to improve access to funding/investment and for more climate-resilient living areas.
Mission 4: Enhancing sustainable tourism
Specific objective 2.4: Promoting climate change adaptation and risks prevention
Indicative list of solutions:
- Solutions to assess and mitigate the risks related to climate change.
- Solutions to calculate and reduce the impact of touristic activities on the environment, including reduction of CO2 emissions and other types of pollution.
- Solutions for the recovery of ecosystems whose resilience against natural disasters and climate change has been undermined by mass tourism.
- Solutions for the inclusion of crisis management in destination’s tourism management plans.
Indicative list of Strategies and action plans:
- Strategies and action plans for the identification and adoption of regenerative practices in the tourism sector and the management of tourism destinations.
- Strategies and action plans for Climate Change Adaptation of the tourism sector at regional and local level.
- Strategies and action plans for the renovation of tourism infrastructure or the re-orientation of buildings’ purpose towards sustainable tourism activities.
- Strategies and action plans to contribute to more effective implementation of existing policies and instruments in tourism destinations and improving their access to funding and investments.
- Strategies and action plans for integrating climate change adaptation and resilience into further local/regional development plans concerning the tourism sector.
Specific objective 2.6: Supporting circular economy
Indicative list of solutions:
- Solutions and tools establishing circular business development practices in the tourism industry, especially for SMEs.
- Solutions for the effective change in tourism behaviour promoting circularity and responsible tourism practices among the population.
- Solutions to encourage local consumption through tourism activities that showcase the local products, support the local producers and suppliers, and raise awareness of the benefits of reducing energy consumption and waste production.
- Solution for capacity-building, upskilling and technical assistance to help the tourism industry, and particularly SMEs, adopt eco-friendly and smart practices in their business models.
Indicative list of strategies and action plans:
- Strategies and action plans for improving local and regional waste management and recycling during the development of tourism-related activities.
- Strategies and action plans for resources management to increase resources efficiency and productivity in the tourism sector.
- Strategies and action plans for boosting transnational legislation that promotes green transition in the tourism sector by establishing common standards and criteria for environmental performance, energy efficiency, and circularity.
Specific objective 2.7: Enhancing Nature and Biodiversity
Indicative list of solutions:
- Solutions to support the development of innovative and low-impact tourism products and services that respect and valorise the local environment, culture, and traditions.
- Solutions to restore degraded natural habitats and enhance their sustainable tourism potential.
- Solutions to protect and preserve biodiversity in areas suffering from high touristic pressure.
- Solutions to explore/promote the connection between cultural and natural heritage, in particular with nature conservation areas under the European network Natura 2000.
- Solutions to increase connectivity between natural ecosystems with high touristic assets through effective and sustainable management plans.
Indicative list of strategies and action plans:
- Strategies and action plans for the improvement, implementation, and enforcement of environmental policies/legislations regarding the tourism sector.
- Strategies and action plans for reinforcing the links between sustainable tourism, environmental protection, sustainable development, and citizens’ health.
- Strategies and action plans for the integration of protection, conservation, and restoration of natural resources into territorial tourism strategies as pillars toward long term and sustainable growth in touristic areas.
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Eligibility Criteria
Regions / countries for funding
eligible entities
Education and training institution, International organization, Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) / Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Other, Private institution, incl. private company (private for profit), Public Body (national, regional and local; incl. EGTCs), Research Institution incl. University, Small and medium-sized enterprise (SME)
Mandatory partnership
Yes
Project Partnership
As a minimum, the project partnership must be composed of partners based in five (5) different countries within the Interreg Euro-MED Programme cooperation area.
The LP is a public body, or a body governed by public law (as defined in Directive 2014/24/EU).
other eligibility criteria
Τhe subsequent territorial and thematic focuses have been identified for the 5th call:
Types of territories:
- Islands
- Rural areas
- Mountain areas
These territories, relevant and important for the whole Programme area, have been less covered by the 2nd Call for proposals (for thematic projects) and require dedicated solutions for specific challenges they are facing.
Topics:
- Waste prevention and reduction
- Water scarcity
These topics are of priority for the Programme area and need adapted solutions for the targeted areas. They are addressed in a complementary way through the scope of all Programme missions.
The core target groups of the Programme consist of national, regional and local public authorities engaged in policymaking, working together with other relevant bodies responsible for the definition and implementation of policies.
Target groups are:
- Public authorities having direct competency in the administrative or operational management of the selected topic
- Sectoral agencies
- Infrastructure and public service providers
- Interest groups including NGOs
- Higher education and research organisations
- Education/training centres and schools
- Enterprises, including SMEs
- General public
Additional information
Topics
Relevance for EU Macro-Region
EUSAIR - EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region, EUSALP - EU Strategy for the Alpine Space, EUSDR - EU Strategy for the Danube Region
UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDGs)
project duration
max. 45 months
Additional Information
Applications must be submitted online via Jems, the monitoring system developed by Interact. It is available for all applicants and partners at: https://jems.interreg-euro-med.eu/.
To help you use Jems, you can read the user manual.
The application procedure for this call consists of three consecutive deadlines:
- Submission of the Pre-Application Form, Euro-MED05 Call – THEMATIC STRATEGIC TERRITORIAL PROJECTS, written in English or French: to be validated on "Jems" before 26/09/2024, at 13.00 (Brussels time). (eligibility criterion A.1) and upload of mandatory annexes for the pre-application step (Partners (including the LP) Expressions of Interest).
- Submission of the Full Application Form, Euro-MED05 Call – THEMATIC STRATEGIC TERRITORIAL PROJECTS, written in English or French: to be validated on “Jems” before 28/02/2025, at 13.00 (Brussels time). (eligibility criterion A.1)
- Submission of mandatory annexes: to be uploaded on Jems before 14/03/2025 at 13.00 (Brussels time) (Partners (including Lead Partner) Declarations).
BOTH templates of Pre-Application Form and Full Application Form must be created and completed in Jems system.
BOTH courtesy versions of the Pre and Full Application forms provided by the Programme are guidance documents made available to applicants for information only and contain indications on the information expected in the different sections of the forms.
Mandatory annexes, documents to be provided: The following standard annexes must be signed and uploaded in PDF format into the system by the respective dates provided above (Brussels time):
- For the pre-application step:
- For each partner participating (including the LP) in the project: a copy of the Expression of Interest downloadable on the Programme website (Call dedicated page). These forms must be dated and signed by the legal representative of the partner structure.
- For the full application step:
- For each partner participating (including the LP) in the project: a copy of the partner declaration (or LP) generated from the Jems system. These forms must be dated and signed by the legal representative of the partner structure.
- For each of the associated partners (if applicable): a copy of the associated partner declaration, generated from the Jems system. These forms must be dated and signed by the legal representative of the partner structure.
Call documents
Interreg Euro-MED Programme 2021-2027Interreg Euro-MED Programme 2021-2027(1849kB)
Interreg Euro-Med Call 5: ToRInterreg Euro-Med Call 5: ToR(1051kB)
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