Article based on UfM press release: “The UfM endorses a new cross-border cooperation programme with projects to foster fair, equitable and sustainable development” (18 December 2019)

On 18^th December 2019, the Senior Officials of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) unanimously labeled the ENI CBC Med Programme, in particular its four thematic clusters of projects: environment and climate change, business and SMEs development, technological transfer and innovation and social inclusion and fight against poverty.

The Senior Officials represent the 43 Member States of the Union for the Mediterranean at the level of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs.

The main objectives of the thematic clusters are to support knowledge exchange and management among ENI CBC Med funded projects based on synergies with UfM policy orientations and ongoing initiatives, as well as to promote key projects outputs and good practices with decision-makers at local, national and regional level in order to support evidence-based policy making. The expected beneficiaries of the thematic clsuters are: public authorities (at national and regional level), universities/research bodies, private sector (mainly SMEs, start-ups, civil society organizations, including associations, foundations, citizens’ groups, etc.).

The creation of the thematic clusters will be based on a joint analysis of the results of the inter-programme consultation with all relevant Euro-Med programmes and initiatives, together with a summary report on most relevant actions of EU programmes and initiatives currently underway in the Mediterranean and their synergies with ENI CBC Med projects and UfM initiatives. This process will lead to the thematic clusters strategy to strengthen synergies and complementarities among projects and participation in common actions.
 

The labelling represents an important and concrete step ahead within the reinforced partnership among the UfM Secretariat and the ENI CBC Med Programme, pushing forward the common interest of both organizations for enhancing synergies and complementarities, with the shared objective of supporting regional integration and development, and the impact of funded projects, in line with the Memorandum of Understanding signed on 10^th April 2019.

Related news - UfM and ENI CBC Med Programme team up to strengthen the impact of regional projects in the Mediterranean