The vision of the Programme is to contribute to a smart, sustainable and fair development for all across the Mediterranean Basin by supporting a balanced, long-lasting and far-reaching cooperation as well as multilevel governance.

Interreg NEXT ‘Mediterranean Sea Basin’ (hereinafter ‘NEXT MED’) transnational cooperation programme is the third generation of one of the largest cooperation initiatives implemented by the European Union across borders in the Mediterranean area.

NEXT MED will continue boosting Euro-Mediterranean cooperation for the period 2021-2027 under the framework of the European Union’s Cohesion Policy and its specific ‘Interreg’ instrument which supports European Territorial Cooperation across regions and countries. NEXT MED is implemented under strand B ‘Transnational cooperation’ of the external dimension of Interreg, allowing for cooperation over larger transnational territories or around sea basins between EU Member States and Southern Neighbourhood partner countries.

The cooperation area covers regions from 15 countries: Cyprus, Egypt, France, Greece, Israel, Italy, Lebanon, Jordan, Malta, Palestine, Portugal, Spain, Tunisia, Algeria and Türkiye (Turkey).

The Programme has set the following priorities and specific objectives (S.O.) in order to fulfil its vision:

Priority 1: A more competitive and smarter Mediterranean

S.O. 1.1: Research and innovation capacities, uptake of advanced technologies

S.O. 1.2: Sustainable growth and competitiveness of SMEs and job creation in SMEs

Priority 2: A greener, low-carbon and resilient Mediterranean

S.O. 2.1: Energy efficiency and reducing green gas house emissions

S.O. 2.2: Climate change adaptation and risk disaster prevention, resilience taking into account eco-system based approaches

S.O. 2.3: Access to water and sustainable water management

S.O. 2.4: Transition to a circular and resource efficient economy

Priority 3: A more social and inclusive Mediterranean

S.O. 3.1: Equal access to inclusive and quality services in education, training and lifelong learning

S.O. 3.2: Equal access to health care and resilience of health systems, including primary care, and transition from institutional to family-and community-based care

Priority 4: A better governance of the Mediterranean

S.O. 4.1: Other governance actions: Fostering local governance models and processes through cross-sectoral, multilevel and cross-border partnerships

The Programme is expected to launch 4 calls for proposals as follows:

Standard Projects (open to all SOs)

Green Transition (open to specific SOs with a focus on green results and impact)

Capitalization (open to all SOs)

Consolidation (open to all SOs only for Interreg Next Med Projects)

Website: www.interregnextmed.eu

Up to 89%

• Culture
• Energy
• Environment and Climate Change
• Health
• Natural and Cultural Heritage
• Public Administration
• Regional Development
• Research, Technological Development and Innovation
• Small-Medium Enterprises and Competitiveness
• Tourism
• Youth

• Associations
• Central Government
• Chambers
• Consumer Organisations
• Educational Institutions
• International Organisations
• Local Authorities
• NGOs
• Non Profit Organisations
• Other Beneficiaries
• Private Bodies
• Producer Associations
• Researchers/Research Centers/Institutions
• Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
• State-owned Enterprises
• Youth

Directorate General Growth, Ministry of Finance