The Joint Monitoring Committee has selected 7 out of the Programme 11 priorities for the call for strategic projects. The budget available is approximately €68 million (following the increase of the budget of the call for standard projects, see here).

The chosen priorities and related EU financial allocation are:

• A.1.1 - Support innovative start-up and recently established enterprises, with a particular focus on young and women entrepreneurs and facilitate the protection of their Intellectual Property Rights and commercialization, where applicable: €6.7 million
• A.1.2 - Strengthen and support Euro-Mediterranean networks, clusters, consortia and value-chains in traditional sectors and non-traditional sectors: €6.7 million
• A.2.1 - Support technological transfer and commercialisation of research results, strengthening the linkages between research, industry and other private sector actors: €15.2 million
• A.3.1 - Provide young people, especially those belonging to the NEETS, and women, with marketable skills: €12.1 million
• B.4.1 - Support innovative and technological solutions to increase water efficiency and encourage use of non-conventional water supply: €9.1 million
• B.4.2 - Reduce municipal waste generation and promote source separated collection and the optimal exploitation of its organic component: € 9.1 million
• B.4.3 - Support cost-effective and innovative energy rehabilitations relevant to building types and climatic zones, with a focus on public buildings: € 9.1 million

These priorities were selected following national consultations in all participating countries and based on an updated socio-economic and environmental analysis, aiming at identifying the most relevant challenges in the Programme cooperation area.

Strategic projects are meant to foster policy-relevant innovations, as well as long-lasting and far-reaching effects that last beyond the funding of the Programme. Partnerships should involve key public and private actors, able to bring about change in the concerned sectors.

The call for strategic projects will be launched indicatively by the end of February/beginning of March and will be supported by a series of information events in all participating countries.