Background
The European
Territorial Cooperation Programmes 2014-2020 aim at encouraging
cooperation in Europe as well as exchanging knowledge and best
practices across Member States and regions. These programmes are funded by
the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under the Cohesion Policy
2014-2020.
Malta's Participation in Territorial Cooperation Programmes
Under
the 2014-2020 programming period, Malta is participating in the following
Territorial Cooperation Programmes:
The Interreg V-A Italia-Malta Programme: a cross-border programme
which covers the Maltese Islands and several regions in Sicily. This Programme
aims to reinforce sustainable growth at the cross-border level with a
particular focus on the Research & Innovation sectors, foster the
competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises, protect the environment
as well as promoting actions which mitigate the effects of climate change
whilst also addressing the area’s natural and anthropic risks.
The Interreg
Med Programme: a transnational programme which promotes cooperation between
Mediterranean regions in ten EU Member States, namely: Croatia, Cyprus, France,
Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, UK (Gibraltar), as well as three
EU Candidate Countries, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina & Montenegro. This
programme focuses on strengthening research, technological development and
innovation. It also supports low-carbon economies, environment and resource
efficiency.
The Interreg
Europe Programme: this interregional programme covers the whole territory of the European Union, Norway and Switzerland,
and its aim is to help European regions in the drafting and implementation of
regional policies and Programmes, in particular the EU Structural and
Investment Funds Programmes for Growth and Jobs, and also, where relevant, the
Programmes under the European Territorial Cooperation (ETC) goal.
The Interact III Programme: which provides practical support, training and advice to European
Territorial Cooperation programmes on management techniques, financial issues,
European regulations, communication, strategic orientation and policy
development.
Malta is also participating in the ENI CBC MED Programme, which is a
multilateral Cross-Border Cooperation Programme funded under the European
Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument. This Programme seeks to reinforce
cooperation between the European Union and partner countries along the shores
of the Mediterranean Sea. The fourteen participating countries eligible under
this Programme are: Algeria, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Greece, Israel, Italy,
Jordan, Lebanon, Malta, Palestine, Portugal, Spain, and Tunisia.