Thematic Objectives and Priorities

The strategic framework of the Programme is based on 4 Thematic Objectives and 11 Priorities as a contribution to the main socio-economic and environmental challenges of the Mediterranean region.

Business and SMEs development

Thematic Objective A.1 - Business and SMEs development

Startups

Priority 1.1 - Support innovative start-ups and recently established enterprises, with a particular focus on young and women entrepreneurs, and facilitate the protection of their intellectual property rights and commercialisation where applicable

Did you know

80%

of enterprises in the Mediterranean region are MSMEs

Target

200

jobs created in innovative startups

Target

1500

young people and women involved in training and business mentoring programmes

Euro-Mediterranean economic clusters

Priority A.1.2 - Strengthen and support euro-Mediterranean networks, clusters, consortia and value-chains in traditional sectors and non-traditional sectors

Did you know

of trade in the Mediterranean region happen between the EU and its Southern Neighbours

Target

new business agreements established among enterprises of the cooperation area

Target

180

new products and services sold on domestic and international markets

Sustainable tourism

Priority A.1.3 - Encourage sustainable tourism initiatives and actions aimed at diversifying into new segments and niches

Did you know

11%

average contribution in percentage of the tourism industry to the GDP of Mediterranean region*

Target

improved cultural and historical sites thanks to the Programme support

Target

new sustainable tourism packages created to increase off-season visits

*Source: Plan Bleu

Technological transfer & innovation

Thematic Objective A.2 - Support to education, research, technological development and innovation

Technological transfer

Priority A.2.1 - Support technological transfer and commercialisation of research results, strengthening the linkages between research, industry and other private sector actors

Did you know

80%

of research and development activity in the Mediterranean region is carried out by public universities and research centres

Target

university spin-off enterprises created

Target

agreements signed to boost cooperation between academia and industry

SMEs access to research and innovation

Priority A.2.2 - Support SMEs in accessing research and innovation, also through clustering

Did you know

90%

of spending on research and development comes from the public sector in Southern Mediterranean countries*

Target

SMEs with enhanced innovation capacities

Target

1,250,000

euro as investment in selected SMEs innovation activities

*Source: Anima Investment network “Promoting Innovation in the Mediterranean”

Social inclusion & fight against poverty

Thematic Objective A.3 - Promotion of social inclusion and the fight against poverty

Professionalization of young people and women

Priority A.3.1 - Provide young people, especially those belonging to the NEETS, and women, with marketable skills

Did you know

21%

average percentage of NEETS in Mediterranean countries

Target

14,400

persons involved in employment training programmes

Target

public institutions engaged in the development of specific schemes to foster employability of young people and women

Social and solidarity economy

Priority A.3.2 - Support social and solidarity economic actors, also in terms of improving capacities and cooperation with public administrations for services provision

Did you know

7.75%

contribution of cooperatives to GDP in Egypt*

Target

social enterprises established or strengthened

Target

135,000

people covered by improved social services as a direct consequence of Programme support

*Source: FEMIP “Économie sociale et solidaire : Vecteur d’inclusivité et de création d’emplois dans les pays partenaires méditerranéens?”

Environment & climate change

Thematic Objective B.4 - Environmental protection, climate change adaptation and mitigation

Water efficiency

Priority B.4.1 - Support sustainable initiatives targeting innovative and technological solutions to increase water efficiency and encourage use of non-conventional water supply

Did you know

60%

of the world’s population living in ‘water poverty’ – less than 1000 m3 of water available per capita per year – is found in the Mediterranean*

Target

150

hectares of land irrigated with non-conventional water

Target

2,700,000

m³/year of non-conventional water supply used for domestic purposes

*Source: Global Water Partnership “Water Demand Management: The Mediterranean Experience”

Waste management

Priority B.4.2 - Reduce municipal waste generation, promote source-separated collection and its optimal exploitation, in particular its organic component

Did you know

10%

of the waste collected in the Mediterranean region is currently recycled*

Target

plans and pilot actions on integrated waste management at municipal level implemented in cooperation with private companies

Target

9,000

tons/year of biodegradable municipal waste reused as fertilizers

*Source: European Environment Agency “Mediterranean Sea region briefing - The European environment - state and outlook 2015”

Energy efficiency and renewable energy

Priority B.4.3 - Support cost-effective and innovative energy renovations relevant to building types and climatic zones, with a focus on public buildings

Did you know

88.5%

average dependency rate on fossil fuels in the countries of the Programme area

Target

771

tons - annual decrease of Co2 emissions as a result of renewable energy and energy efficiency measures implemented in public buildings

Target

1,800,000

kWh generated using renewable energy

Integrated coastal zone management

Priority B.4.4 - Incorporate the Ecosystem-Based management approach to Integrated Coastal Zone Management into local development planning, through the improvement of intra-territorial coordination among different stakeholders

Did you know

76%

total population in the Programme area live within 100 kilometres from the sea*

Target

tools developed for the sustainable management of coastal areas

Target

coastal cities and institutions adopting Integrated Coastal Zone Management plans / guidelines for the sustainable management of coastal areas

*Sources: EuroStat “Coastal regions” - Arab Forum for Environment and Development “Impact of Climate Change: Vulnerability and Adaptation”

Sustainable tourism

Technology transfer

Elderly care

Water efficiency