The European Neighborhood Instrument (ENI) started in 2014 as the successor of the European Neighborhood Partnership Instrument (ENPI) and will run until 2020, provides a bulk of funding for the EU and Partner Countries under the European Neighborhood Policy. Apart from the bilateral and multi-country programmes, funding will also be given to cross-border cooperations. The new ENI CBC ‘’Mediterranean Sea Basin’’ Programme is part of this activity.
Behind the designing of this strategy as well as the implementing modalities of a new Programme is the Joint Monitoring Committee, a body composed of 14 countries, – Algeria, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Greece, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, Malta, Palestine, Portugal, Spain, and Tunisia.
Out of the 11 priorities of the Programme, 7 were chosen by the Joint Monitoring Committee for the call for strategic projects. The available budget is close to 68 million euros. Here are the seven priorities that were chosen for this call:
• 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 commercialization 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 the 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
The criteria under which these priorities were selected have to do with, national consultations in all the participating countries. They were also based on a socio-economic as well as environmental analysis that aims to identify the most relevant challenges.
With the funding of the Programme, it is expected that the strategic projects will foster policies that will last long after the programme is over and will have a far-reaching effect. All partnerships should involve the public as well as private stakeholders that will be able to bring their own innovative ideas to change each concerned sector.
The call will be launched by the end of February or the beginning of March. It will be strongly supported by a series of different information events taking place in all the participating countries.
The stategic projects under the ENI CBC MED Programme are focused on
the needs of the Mediterranean area. It is very important to take into consideration all the different factors that can affect the development of that area. Factors like entrepreneurship.
IED had the opportunity to be a part of the ‘’Helios’’ proposal under the A.3 priority ‘’Promotion of social inclusion and the fight against poverty” and A.3.1 priority ‘’Provide young people, especially those belonging to the NEETS, and women, with marketable skills’’
Our experience during the creation of the proposal showed us how to create teams and consortia with similar vision and the ability to work together and get the best results. The ‘’Helios’’ proposal has been approved and this is the first successful ENI project for the IED.
In addition, IED has previously been a part of an ENPI project, Lactimed, as a subcontractor for one of the project partners the Union of Hellenic Chambers of Commerce and Industry. IED was responsible for the implementation of the Secretarial and Scientific support of the project around the area of Thessaly.
We want this to be just the beginning. Our growing experience on the field will be able to help us become active, valuable partners to more ENI projects. If you wish to submit a proposal under the ENI call and want to build a strong consortium of partners, reach us today!
