The Interreg NEXT MED Programme, in which ASCAME is involved as one of its strategic partners, has recently announced the postponement of the deadline for the ongoing Call for Green Transition Projects to 15 May 2025. 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. We talked with Mr. Vincent Ernoux, Coordinator of the Interreg NEXT MED Programme for the Western Mediterranean, about the focus and objectives of this second call, apart from current issues such as transnational cooperation for accelerating the Mediterranean region’s green transition, the key role of younger generations, Spain’s leadership in the EU Programmes, and the NEXT MED’s impact on the Mediterranean.
What are the main characteristics of this 2nd Call and what are the main reasons why to submit it?
This new call aims to support innovative and collaborative solutions to address crucial climate challenges across the Mediterranean region. 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. In addition, it is open to a wide range of stakeholders, including national and regional public authorities, municipalities, non-profit and civil society organizations, universities, research institutions, private companies, and other relevant entities. Participating in the call means participating in the movement towards a better and more climate-resilient Mediterranean through our most powerful tool which is cooperation. With € 83 Million € at stake this is an opportunity you can’t miss!
What do you expect from this variety of stakeholders? What different perspectives and expertise can each of them contribute to the projects?
There are no easy solutions to climate change challenges and without a shadow of a doubt, one-sided visions will not work. For this reason, we opened the call to all types of actors because we know this is what the situation requires. The administrations are needed to regulate, the academic world to research and think, implementers to innovate, ONGs to guarantee that the interests of the citizens are being considered, SMEs to operate the change on the ground. Only a holistic approach is viable. Special mention to the private sector as Interreg NEXT MED fully welcomes it in the projects, on the same conditions as public operators, because, frankly, who can still think that we can work on a solution to climate change without it?
In your opinion, what climate challenges are the most urgent in the Mediterranean?
As we have said again and again, the Mediterranean is getting warmer at a rate 20% faster than the rest of the world. We will say it again, and then, again, because the need to act is extremely urgent. At the Programme level, we focus on some of the most pressing needs such as the prevention of natural disasters, the development of a more resource-efficient economy, a better management of energy and water, the shift toward a green business models in SMEs or the preparation of the future workforce to the emerging green jobs and skills.
We will have a stronger impact in accelerating the Mediterranean green transition if we act together. Transnational cooperation means cooperating between Mediterranean countries, through Mediterranean activities and creating an impact which is replicable and scalable for the whole region
What is the key to achieving a transnational cooperation for accelerating the Mediterranean region’s green transition?
We believe that we will have a stronger impact if we act together. Transnational cooperation means cooperating between Mediterranean countries, through Mediterranean activities and creating an impact which is replicable and scalable for the whole region. 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.
In what sense does the current geopolitical situation hinder this regional collaboration, especially in countries located in the Middle East?
Despite the geopolitical context, we are glad to confirm that the current tensions in the Middle East have not negatively impacted the Programme and we are confident that it will continue so. Among the 60 projects funded under our first call for proposals, we count on 3 projects with a Palestinian Lead Partner, which clearly shows that the enthusiasm for the Programme overcomes the hardest situations. The Programme has proved to be extremely resilient throughout the last 15 years.
What is the call’s commitment to empowering the youth in the green transition?
There is no green transition without involving the younger generations. It is as simple as that. Programmes that do not actively involve the youth are just missing the point. Older generations have an important say on the debates, but the changing factor is not in their hands, not anymore. However, there are not enough opportunities for the Mediterranean youth to act with funds and lead the green transition. This is something the Programme has understood from the start thanks to the vision of the Managing Authority, and we are particularly proud of it.
What feedback could you give us about the type of proposals presented?
We recently approved our first 60 projects, and though it is too soon to draw advanced conclusions because the projects have not started yet, we are generally pleased with the results. We have plenty of excellent projects addressing the 9 specific objectives. Particularly good were the results of the projects presented under the objectives of climate change adaptation, circular economy, training or competitiveness of SMEs. A great success is that the 15 countries are represented in the Programme and that there are many newcomers. The Interreg NEXT MED community is growing, and we won’t stop before we reach our goal of contributing to a better Mediterranean.
Despite the geopolitical context, we are glad to confirm that the current tensions in the Middle East have not negatively impacted the Programme and we are confident that it will continue so
Within the recent technical session held in Barcelona, you gave some tips to avoid typical mistakes when submitting the proposals. What are your main recommendations to the organisations and institutions interested in this 2nd Call?
Allow me to be very concrete here because it is what people really need. First, do not fail for administrative reasons or you will have to invite me to at least a dinner. Second, start yesterday. Third, and this my classical advice, I know, at the risk of repeating myself, write your proposal with our evaluation grid on your table, be as explicit as possible, do not take the understanding of your ideas for granted (evaluators are not in your mind) and always ask yourself, do I clearly and unmistakenly respond to the evaluation criteria. If not, write it again until you do. There is no way you approve a project by providing moderate or just adequate descriptions. We finance only excellent proposals.
What is your opinion on Spain’s leadership in the EU Programmes and projects addressed to the Mediterranean?
Spain is usually one the leaders in the EU Programmes after Italy. Though this time, in our first call for proposals, we must congratulate Greece for its exceptional results in terms of number of projects and quality of proposals. Cyprus though to another level of course due to their size. Spain is leading again projects in fields where it has been a natural leader for years or decades like in textile (circular economy), energy efficiency or waste management (governance). But I think Spain must be ambitious and in our Programme this country has a great margin for improvement.
What is the impact of the Interreg Next Med Programme on the Mediterranean? And what about the impact among the Spanish partners?
Our impact is undoubtful. Cooperation on the Mediterranean scale mainly happens thanks to Interreg NEXT MED and a few more punctual initiatives like our good friends and partners from PRIMA Programme. So, making cooperation happen is the first impact. We build bridges between 3 shores (East, North and South) and 15 countries gathering actors that would have no chance to meet and collaborate if not for the Programme. Then, there is the tangible. Our projects have created hundreds of jobs, developed innumerous solutions, products and services, provided support to the young entrepreneurs and promoted business ideas, our projects have supported NEETS and other vulnerable groups finding a suitable place in society. We are mainly an impact-oriented Programme and we intend not to change that!
Is a greener Mediterranean possible? Are you optimist about the future of our region?
Our programme is optimistic by nature and so am I. A few generations ago, nobody cared about the future, now we do. And the younger generations care so much more than us. The Mediterranean will be greener, who doubts it? Not many in the Interreg NEXT MED community.