Call for Proposals: Green Transition Projects

Building on the success of the first call for proposals, which saw 630 projects submitted, this second call aims to drive scalable, innovative, and collaborative solutions , reflecting a collective ambition of the 15 participating countries for a low-carbon, climate-resilient Mediterranean . It addresses the region’s pressing climate challenges, as it is warming 20% ​​faster than the global average.

The call focuses on key environmental sectors such as energy efficiency, circular economy, climate adaptation and disaster resilience, and sustainable water management. It also expands to other critical areas, including SMEs’ decarbonization, green innovation, skills for climate resilience, health system adaptation to climate change, and inclusive governance for effective climate policies.

Geographical coverage of the call extends to over 100 territories from 7 European Union and 8 partner countries, namely Cyprus, Greece, France, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Spain and Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Tunisia and Türkiye. To harness the benefits of transnational cooperation for accelerating the Mediterranean region’s green transition, each project must involve a partnership of at least three organizations from three different eligible countries, with at least one partner from a Mediterranean Partner Country.

Priorities

• Through a broad multi-step analysis and consultation process involving national authorities, key stakeholders and regional actors and based on the strategic framework contained in the EU regulatory framework, the participating countries have identified 4 Priorities that best reflect the common challenges of the cooperation area:
  • A more competitive and smarter Mediterranean by promoting innovative and smart economic transformation through Research and Innovation (R&I), sustainable growth and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) competitiveness to help reduce disparities and contribute to socioeconomic integration.
  • A greener, low-carbon and resilient Mediterranean supporting the transition towards a net zero carbon economy by promoting clean and fair energy transition, sustainable water management, circular economy, climate change mitigation and adaptation.
  • A more social and inclusive Mediterranean to provide learning opportunities, ensure equal opportunities and socio-economic integration and improve access to health care through the use of digitalization and technological innovation.
  • A better cooperation governance for the Mediterranean by fostering local governance models and processes, encouraging cooperation and dialogue between citizens, civil society actors and institutions in view of addressing issues of joint interest.

Funding Information

• The financial dimension of proposals ranges from €700,000 to €3.5 million, depending on the project type – green transformation or eco-youth. These latest, granted €16 million (corresponding to 20% of the budget of the call for proposals), aim to empower youth in the green transition through projects designed by young people for young people and involving youth-led/oriented organizations as key project partners. The Program contribution covers 89% of the total eligible costs, requiring project co-financing of the remaining 11%.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants and project partners must be based in the Programme area and they shall be legally registered there since at least two years from the launching date of this call.
• For this call related to the green transition, an exception to the geographical eligibility rule has been introduced to allow the participation of “Advisory partners” meaning organizations established in any of the fifteen countries participating in the Programme but from territories/regions not included in the Programme area. The participation of “Advisory partners” is subject to the following conditions:
  • participation is allowed on a case-by-case basis by the Monitoring Committee upon recommendation of the Assessment Board based on the assessment carried out within STEP 1 by the external evaluators. In particular, the involvement of the “Advisory partners” shall be duly justified in the e-form and based on the specific and unique expertise (meaning it is demonstrated it is not available in the cooperation area) as well as a clear demonstration of the added value of their participation to achieve the project’s specific objective.
  • Advisory partners cannot be Lead Applicants of project proposals.
  • Activities must be carried out in or for the benefit of the territories of the Programme area.
  • Advisory partners must be registered for at least 2 years before the launch of the call for proposals.
  • A maximum of 1 (one) Advisory partner per project proposal is allowed.
• International Organisations can participate as Applicants or Partners only if they have an operational office in the eligible area. They can also participate as Advisory Partners in case they do not have an office in the territories concerned. However, they do not contribute to the fulfilment of the minimum geographic partnership requirement.

For more information, visit Interreg NEXT MED.