TERRITORIAL COOPERATION 2007-2013 CROSS-BORDER COOPERATION PROGRAMME – ENPI MEDITERRANEAN SEA BASIN The publication might be co-financed by the European Union August 2010 This document provides basic information and it is not exhaustive. Further information about the Programme may be found at the Structural Funds and Cohesion Fund website of the Planning Bureau (www.structuralfunds.org.cy) under the European Territorial Cooperation Programmes category as well as at the Programme’s website (www.enpicbcmed.eu). 1 Cross-border Cooperation Programme ENPI Mediterranean Sea Basin, 2007- 2013 The European Neighbourhood Policy was established under the framework of the 2004 enlargement of the EU, in order to avoid the creation of new dividing lines between the enlarged EU and neighbouring countries and also to enhance stability, security and prosperity of all parties involved. The actions under the framework of this policy are financed by the Financing Instrument of the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Policy. Cyprus participates only in one of the programmes of this policy, the Cross-border Cooperation Programme ENPI Mediterranean Sea Basin together with regions from Algeria, Egypt, France, Greece, Italy, Jordan, Libya, Morocco, Portugal, Spain, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, the UK, Israel, Lebanon, Malta and the Palestinian Authority, as indicated below: Eligible countries and territories* Cyprus: the whole country Egypt: Marsa Matruh, Al Iskandanyah, Al Buhayrah, Kafr ash Shaykh, Ad Daqahliyah, Dumyat, Ash Sharquiyah, Al Isma’iliyah, Bur Sa’id, Shamal Sina France: Corse, Languedoc-Roussillon, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Greece: Anatoliki Makedonia - Thraki, Kentriki Makedonia, Thessalia, Ipeiros, Ionia Nisia, Dytiki Ellada, Sterea Ellada, Peloponnisos, Attiki, Voreio Aigaio, Notio Aigaio, Kriti Israel: the whole country Italy: Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Lazio, Liguria, Puglia, Sardegna, Sicilia, Toscana Jordan: Irbid, Al-Balga, Madaba, Al-Karak, Al-Trafila, Al-Aqaba Lebanon: the whole country Malta: the whole country Morocco**: Oriental, Taza-Al Hoceima-Taounate, Tanger-Tétouan Palestinian Authority: the whole country Portugal: Algarve Spain: Andalucía, Cataluña, Comunidad Valenciana, Murcia, Islas Baleares, Ceuta, Melilla Syria: Latakia, Tartous Tunisia: Médenine, Gabès, Sfax, Mahdia, Monastir, Sousse, Nabeul, Ben Arous, Tunis, Ariana, Bizerte, Béja, Jendouba * Gibraltar, Libya and Algeria have not participated to any of the Programme’s procedures. Turkey has requested to be excluded from the Programme as it is a pre accession country. ** Morocco has postponed its participation to the Programme. The Programme has been approved by the European Commission on 14th August 2008. The general objective of the Programme is to contribute to promoting the sustainable and harmonious cooperation process at the Mediterranean Basin level by dealing with the common challenges and enhancing its endogenous potential. 2 The Total Programme Budget is 189.2 million euros. The European Union’s overall financial contribution to the Programme will be approximately 173.6 million euros of which 156.3 million euros will be dedicated to the financing of projects and the remaining 17.3 million euros will be used as Technical Assistance. The co-financing rate from the EU will be up to 90% while the remaining 10% will be provided by the project partners´ own resources. The following priorities and measures have been established for the achievement of the Programme’s objectives: PRIORITY MEASURES 1.1. Support to innovation and research in the process of local development of the Mediterranean Sea Basin countries 1. Promotion of socio-economic 1.2. Strengthening economic clusters creating synergies development and enhancement of among potentials of the Mediterranean Sea Basin countries territories 1.3. Strengthening the national strategies of territorial planning by integrating the different levels, and promotion of balanced and sustainable socio-economic development 2.1. Prevention and reduction of risk factors for the environment and enhancement of natural common heritage 2. Promotion of environmental 2.2. Promotion of renewable energy use and improvement of sustainability at the basin level energy efficiency contributing to addressing, among other challenges, climate change 3. Promotion of better conditions 3.1. Support to people flows among territories as a means of and modalities for ensuring the cultural, social and economic enrichment mobility of persons, goods and 3.2. Improvement of conditions and modalities of circulation capitals* of goods and capitals among the territories 4.1. Support to mobility, exchanges, training and professionalism of young people 4. Promotion of cultural dialogue 4.2. Support to the artistic creativity in all its expressions to and local governance encourage dialogue among communities 4.3. Improvement of the governance processes at local level *Tunisia and Egypt consider that issues related to Priority 3 fall under the exclusive competence of their central administrations. As a consequence, the participation of actors coming from the eligible territories of these two countries to the projects related to Priority 3 is not envisaged. 3 Based on article 14 of EC Regulation 1638/2006 and the respective national legislation of the Mediterranean Partner Countries, the following are the potential beneficiaries of the Programme: Public Bodies Local and Regional Authorities Bodies Governed by Public Law Based on Directive 2004/18/EC a ‘body governed by public law’ means any body: (a) established for the specific purpose of meeting needs in the general interest, not having an industrial or commercial character; (b) having legal personality; and (c) financed, for the most part, by the State, regional or local authorities, or other bodies governed by public law; or subject to management supervision by those bodies; or having an administrative, managerial or supervisory board, more than half of whose members are appointed by the State, regional or local authorities, or by other bodies governed by public law. Private Bodies Participation of private companies and of other bodies defined as economic operators1, regardless of their legal status, private or governed by public law, to the call for proposals is subject to the following limitation: the outputs of the project should not generate income during the project duration. Moreover, for EU Member States, according to Commission Regulation (EC) 1998/2006 of 15 December 2006, participation of private companies and other organisations defined as economic operators, regardless of their legal status, private or governed by public law, is subject to the following limitations: project activities must not generate a competitive advantage and the gross amount of public funding granted does not exceed the thresholds set by the de minimis regime. Based on the relevant Regulation, state aid is granted to all companies with some exemptions. The total state aid granted to a specific company cannot exceed the amount of 200.000 euro in any period of 3 financial years. The total stated aid granted to companies in the field of transportation cannot exceed the amount of 100.000 euro in any period of 3 financial years. The critical period is defined based on the financial year of each company. International Organisations International organisations are international public-sector organisations set up by intergovernmental agreements, and specialised agencies set up by such organisations – these organisations may have worldwide or regional scope. Examples of such organisations are the following: International Labour Organisation, Food and Agriculture Organisation, World Health Organisation etc. In the framework of the implementation of projects the following horizontal policies should be respected: 1 Based on article 1(8) of the above mentioned Directive, the terms ‘contractor’, ‘supplier’ and ‘service provider’ mean any natural or legal person or public entity or group of such persons and/or bodies which offer on the market, respectively, the execution of works and/or a work, products or services. The term ‘economic operator’ shall cover equally the concepts of contractor, supplier and service provider. 4 - Equality of opportunity, non-discrimination, respect for human rights. - Environmental sustainability. - Communication and visibility. The type and main characteristics of projects co-financed by the Programme are the following: Type 1: Standard projects Type 2: Strategic projects Partnership Theme It will concern all the Projects will be selected based priorities and measures of on the terms of reference that the Programme. Examples will guide Lead Partners to of indicative actions can specific priorities, interventions be found in the Joint and types of projects to be co- Operational Programme financed. and the Guidelines for Applicants. Partnership • Should involve at least 3 • Should involve at least 4 partners coming from partners coming from four three different countries different countries of which of which at least one one coming from EU Member coming from EU Countries and at least one from Member Countries and Mediterranean Partner at least one from Countries. Mediterranean Partner Countries. More details will be determined in the call of proposals and the • At least 50% of the terms of reference. total eligible costs of a project shall be dedicated to activities implemented in Mediterranean Partner Countries. • During the selection process a value added will be recognised to projects