Sommaire : Results: 1 st call for proposals 1 Axis 1: Innovation 21 projects approved 2 Axis 2: Environment 13 projects approved.3 Axis 3: Accessibility 4 projects approved 4 Axis4: Polycentric Development 12 projects approved 5 Report of 1 st call for proposals 6 News 6 Info and contact..7 The TRANSNATIONAL and CONCRETE aspects of the projects as well as the CAPITALISATION potential and PARTNERSHIP qualities were predominant in the selection of applications. The projects must propose pilotactions in the field that give concrete, tangible and measurable results. A quality partnership associates partners on all levels (horizontal and vertical), public as well as private, to guarantee durability and effective capitalisation of results with an expected impact on local, regional and national politics. MED PROGRAMME 2007 2013 Make the MED space a competitive territory The Med programme is the European programme of transnational cooperation in the Mediterranean for the period 2007-2013. This programme, with a budget of more than 250 billion (including 193 billion from the ERDF) stems from the previous generations of INTERREG: Medocc and Archimed. Adhering to the Lisbon and Gothenburg strategies, it aims to actively implement territorial cooperation in order to reinforce economic and social cohesion in countries of the northern Mediterranean, where geographic spread and the extended coastline do not facilitate exchanges. To this effect, 12 states from the coastal regions, including 9 EU Member States (Cyprus, Spain, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, United Kingdom, Slovenia,) are united in the Programme to make the Med space a competitive territory, capable of rivalling its international competitors. Croatia, Montenegro and Bosnia-Herzegovina (since 2009) participate with funds from the Instrument for Pre- Accession Assistance. The IPA offers assistance to candidate countries and potential candidates in the 5 following areas: assistance for transition and reinforcement of institutions, cross-border cooperation, regional development, development of human resources and rural development. The programme will launch both traditional and strategic calls for proposals for cooperation involving transnational partners. Two traditional calls for proposals have already been launched, the first in 2008 and the second in 2009. Fifty proposals have been selected following the first call and are well on the way to signing a subsidy contract. The first phase of evaluation is still underway for the second call for proposals. The final results will be known in early 2010 after the 2 nd evaluation phase. RESULTS: 1 ST TRADITIONAL CALL FOR PROPOSALS 2008 50 projects approved The MED Programme launched its first traditional call for proposals on 4 th March 2008 and has selected 50 projects on the 4 th & 5 th of last February, following two evaluation phases. The JTS has evaluated 531 projects in the first phase of evaluation and 109 in the second phase. The applicants of these 109 preselected projects submitted a second detailed application in October 2008. Based on this second application and following a second evaluation, the Selection Committee, composed of representatives of the states participating to programme, gathered in Rome on 4 th & 5 th February 2009 and selected 50 projects based on the 4 priority axes and 10 Programme objectives. Out of the 531 received proposals, the following have been selected, per axis: 21 projects out of 144 for axis 1, 13 projects out of 230 for axis 2, 4 projects out of 35 for axis 3 and 12 projects out of 122 for axis 4. The total amount of the ERDF applied for was 64,016,028.48 and the amount allocated 57,512,263.71. The projects have been programmed with budgetary restrictions.
Axis 1: STRENGTHENING INNOVATION CAPACITIES 21 projects approved of 144 applications received ERDF Budget allocated: 24,087,573.98 i.e. almost 39% of budget allocated to axis for the period 2007-2013 Enhancing the technological, economic and organisational potential of the Med territory through the diffusion of innovative technologies and know-how as well as the introduction of new methodologies, new production procedures and management of economic activities. Objective 1: AGRO-ENVIRONMED, BIOLMED, ICE, INS MED, MEDISS, MedLab, MET3, Planet Design, SOSTENUTO, TEXMEDIN Objective 2: AGRISLES, ETHIC, Flormed, IC-MED, INNOVATE-MED, MACC BAM, MEDOSSIC, QUBIC, RIMED, SMILIES, WINNOVATE The axis 1 encourages the introduction of development strategies in traditional economic sectors or in new sectors through the creation of transnational clusters, which value the diffusion of technical know-how and the zone s creative heritage. Through the diffusion and capitalisation of studies, methodologies of production and company management, it aims to improve the performance of SMEs in the Mediterranean s traditional economic domains. The selected projects aim at the sharing and diffusion of innovative know-how and new production methods in traditional economic domains such as exploitation of endogenous resources (olive trees, floral species of the Mediterranean, arboricultural resources), but also in the textile industry, the clothing industry and the quality furniture industry, through the development of exchanges and mutualisation of means between parties of different origins. Although certain projects propose the creation of clusters, this only constitutes a preliminary stage in the introduction of pilot activities, through public/private partnerships, favouring the transfer of knowledge and methodologies. For example, one of the pilot activities in these projects concerns the floral market, with the goal of optimising the connection between production, transport and distribution for the different partners. Combine tradition and innovation to enhance competitiveness The partners of these projects include regional groups, research laboratories, competitiveness clusters, development agencies, technology parks such as Sophia Antipolis, professional organisations and associations, CCIs and chambers of trade. The sum of community participation (ERDF) in the 50 projects programmed following the first call for proposals stands at 57,512,263.71 i.e. just over 30% of the total sum of 181,599,851 available for the 4 axes for the period 2007-2013. In order to programme a maximum number of projects, the MED Monitoring Committee authorised an increase to the allocated amount for this call for proposals, which had originally been set at 51,312,447.40. The amount of ERDF funds initially available for this call for proposals, per axis, was 16,376,313.00 for axis 1, 18,599,812.00 for axis 2, 10,917,542.00 for axis 3 and 5,458,771.00 for axis 4. The amounts for axes 2 and 3 were underestimated, while for axis 1, and particularly for axis 4, the available amounts were overestimated. Amount in M Montants en M Montants Allocated engagés amounts, 1er appel 1st / Montants call for proposals restant / pour la Amounts remaining période for 2007-2013 the period par 2007-2013 axe en M per axis in M 70 60 50 40 33,92 51,29 30 34,37 20 4,56 24,03 10 14,39 14,75 4,26 0 1 2 3 4 Axes Montants engagés 1er appel Montants restant pour la période 2007-2013
Axis 2: PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND PROMOTION OF A SUSTAINABLE TERRITORIAL DEVELOPMENT 13 projects approved of 230 received ERDF Budget allocated: 14,399,545.70 i.e. almost 22% of budget allocated to axis for the period 2007-2013 Cooperating, in accordance with the Programme s directions, for the management, preservation and development of natural resources and heritage. Working towards innovation and reorganisation of practices and management methods for natural and cultural heritage, to improve regional governance while accounting for economic, touristic and industrial activity as well as individual behaviour. Cooperation between different systems of territorial management, i.e. observation, prevention and intervention, is central to the axis. Objective 1: FREE-MED, MED-IPPC- NET, SHIFT, SusTEn, WATERinCORE, ZERO WASTE Objective 2: CLIMEPORT, Teenergy schools Objective 3: MEMO, SECUR MED PLUS Objective 4: CAT-Med, COASTANCE, PROTECT The axis 2 aims to elaborate integrated management systems for natural and its cultural feature in the Mediterranean by coordinating regional development and favouring an innovative approach to environmental problems. It encourages the networking of key participants to favour improved management of natural resources, the promotion of renewable energy, waste processing, prevention of natural risks and the management of maritime transportation in the Mediterranean. It advocates the sharing and diffusion of this know-how in the framework of sustainable tourism and concern regarding the identified environmental data. The selected projects for axis 2 deal with the pooling of information and the execution of pilot-actions, which are taken charge of by the different regional administrations responsible, in order to assure durability of the Programme s actions. Certain projects, inspired by the results of previous projects and committed to improvement, propose expanding the range of existing services either with emphasis on environmental aspects or by integrating new techniques. Enhance management systems of natural and cultural resources Thanks to the cooperation of key-players such as port authorities, the CCI, the Regions, local authorities, town committees, institutes and development agencies, the partners of the selected projects are committed to establishing communal strategies, actions for regional development and integrated management methods for navigation systems. These must take into account protection of the natural environment and sustainable development while fighting risks linked to climate change and enhancing maritime services. Distribution of Partners implicated in the 50 projects, by country 3 The total number of partners implicated in the 50 projects is 411. 80% of these partners are from Italy, Spain, Greece and France. Previous experience for these countries in Interreg IIIB, MEDOCC has certainly contributed to this state of affairs. However it is important to note that countries newly integrated into the Programme contribute to a very large number of projects ensuring balanced partnerships. Bosnia- Herzegovina participates in the Programme only since 2009. These results should also be seen through the geographical coverage of these territories within the MED basin as well as the number of regions, per state, participating in the Programme.
Axis 3: IMPROVEMENT OF MOBILITY AND TERRITORIAL ACCESSIBILITY 4 projects approved of 35 received ERDF Budget allocated: 4,267,479.00 i.e. almost 11% of budget allocated to axis for the period 2007-2013 Encouraging concrete interventions from parties of different levels to enhance the organisation and quality of transport systems in the Mediterranean, while taking into account their environmental impact. Favouring multimodality, coordinating operator actions from different professional origins and favouring public-private partnership in order to enhance competitiveness of the Med territory and encourage development of new methods of communication, physical or immaterial. Objective 1: BACKGROUNDS, DEVELOP- MED, TERCONMED, TRANSit The objectives pursued by axis 3 are as follows: To enhance the competitiveness and efficiency of the Med maritime network and improve mobility and accessibility in the region. This will be achieved by developing existing connections between the main regional ports and the transeuropean transport network, or by initiating new communication models. These improvements call for innovation through new methodologies or the integration of innovative technologies in existing networks. They also aim for coherence, on a transnational level, in the policies responsible for goods transportation systems in the Mediterranean. Mobility and accessibility concerning the exchange of immaterial data is essential in improving the system and minimising isolation of certain territories. The objective of the selected projects is to achieve an integrated improvement in transport systems while largely including ICTs. Consequently they aim for a capitalisation and joint utilisation of economic, practical and environmental data in the Mediterranean territory. Within these projects, the different participants responsible for environmental protection, maritime and port systems, territorial development and development of communication methods unite their competences to establish pilot-projects at identified strategic points. This includes the modification of practices to favour intermodality and the integration of zones traditionally isolated from activities in the Med network. Favour inter-modality and minimise isolation to improve competitiveness. Through the passing and drafting of charters, methodologies for sector professionals and reports for the political decision-makers, these projects aspire to establish a common policy of development or management. Beyond the programme, this policy will allow the capitalisation of joint efforts made by the Regions, the Foundations, the port authorities, transport hubs, transport and communication companies and the institutional participants invested in these projects. Distribution of Lead Partners of the 50 projects by country The Lead Partners of the 50 projects are shared across 6 countries from the 9 EU State Members. Italy, Spain, Greece and France count for 96% of the Lead Partners. Once again, participation in the Archimed and MEDOCC Programmes has prepared these countries, benefiting from experience in territorial cooperation, to take charge of project management.
Axis 4: PROMOTION OF A POLYCENTRIC AND INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT OF THE MED SPACE - 12 projects approved of 122 received ERDF Budget allocated: 14,757,665.03 i.e. almost 82% of budget allocated to axis for the period 2007-2013 Control of urban development being one of the challenges in the development of the Med region, axis 4 aims to strengthen networks of cooperation in regional development sectors. It also promotes synergies between different types of participants and regional authorities for balanced partnerships. For this axis, as with the previous ones, inter-sectorial cooperation remains the backdrop of the projects. Objective 1: CREPUDMED, FORET MODELE, Medgovernance, NOVAGRIMED, PAYS.MED.URBAN, Philoxenia, QUALIGOUV, Rurubal, WASMAN Objective 2: CHORD, C.U.L.T.UR.E, MED EMPORION Axis 4 aims to improve territorial governance through projects that aim for the following: integrated development of agricultural systems, regional development of endogenous products, improved regional governance and the integration of peripheral zones while strengthening of the Mediterranean identity. Through the introduction of innovative actions in different domains such as the management of natural and cultural resources and through the development of rural, agricultural and urban zones in the Med regions, the selected projects aim to minimise differences between the territories of the Med space and to encourage a balanced growth, sensitive towards the specificities of the area. Integrate the territories of the Med space and strengthen its identity The selected projects for this axis cover a variety of themes: improvement of agricultural systems, development of markets associated with urban planning, multifunctional and sustainable management of natural and cultural resources in coastal and forest zones of the Mediterranean, etc. The work devised between regional and local authorities, research institutes and conservatories necessarily implicated in these projects, proposes the elaboration of joint economic development strategies and sustainable development of major cities. Pilot-activities in market development are also proposed with the aim of creating feasible methodologies, acknowledged by the local political decision-makers who will guarantee sustainability of the project. For further information, consult the project-files online on our website: www. programmemed.eu Typology of Partners implicated in the 50 projects The projects mostly involve regional, departmental or local authorities and public structures, including regional development agencies. The MED Programme encourages a Bottom-up/Top-down approach with vertical and horizontal partnerships, whose synergies will allow achieving the Programme s objectives. A balanced partnership must incorporate all key actors including decision-makers, research centres and other entities responsible for implementing regional policies. In this strategic perspective, participation of active economic players and their co-financing, under certain conditions, is authorised and encouraged.
Report of First Call for Proposals Several lessons can be drawn from the first call for proposals and the weak points the evaluation pointed out. 201 applications were filtered out based on administrative criteria. Indeed, proposals that were not sent by postal services, or not within the deadline could not be taken into account for the eligibility criteria. Also, when signatures were not originals, or original letters of intent did not comply or were missing, the proposals could not be accepted. 57 other applications did not meet eligibility criteria related to the proposal itself. Some proposals went beyond the maximum duration of 36 months or applied for an amount above the maximum ERDF amount (2M Euros); sometimes, the sections were not written in the two languages as requested; in other cases, the partnership did not respect the minimum number of partners required; eventually, the maximum levels of financial involvement per country or per partner were not respected or the budget s distribution did not meet the eligibility criteria. Finally, 273 projects i.e. about 50% of the projects underwent a qualitative evaluation during the 1 st phase. Of these 273 projects, 109 were invited to present a complete application for the second evaluation phase, following which only 50 projects were selected. According to the observed weaknesses of the proposals, here are some recommendations Make sure that the partnership is fully competent to undertake the type of planned actions et that it includes any key- actor for implementing the work plan. Present projects aiming at going beyond the exchange of experiences or networking and foresee concrete, measurable and sustainable results after the end of the project. Design activities presenting real innovative characteristics compared to previous programming periods and adopt a capitalisation approach. Elaborate a clear and relevant communication plan. Present a balanced budget between the partners, on the different types of expenses, in accordance with the proposed actions. Precise the methodology of implementation and management and the role of different partners in the aforementioned systems. Submit project presenting a transnational added and demonstrating the additionality of EU Funds. The 50 selected projects from this first call for proposals are currently in the process of signing contracts (all contracts shall be signed by the end of June 2009) and launching their activities. News The second traditional call for proposals took place from the 16 t of February to the 13 t of March 2009. 451 proposals were received and are currently being examined by the JTS. The results from the 1st phase shall be available by the end of October 2009. The final selection shall take place in spring 2010. The JTS is recruiting two project evaluation and monitoring officers. Information is available on the website under the title recruitment. The MA/JTS have launched two calls for tender for thematic expertise and for a moderator for the strategic projects. Information is available on the Programme website. The next annual event will take place in autumn 2009 in Italy. A complete project database for selected projects is under development and available on the Programme website starting from July 2009.
Principle Management & Evaluation Structures for the Programme, Liaison Offices Managing Authority: Provence Alpes Côte d Azur Region, Marseille, France Joint Technical Secretariat: Provence Alpes Côte d Azur Region, Marseille, France Audit Authority: Commission interministérielle de coordination des contrôles, Paris, France Certifying Authority: Caisse des Dépôts and Consignations, Paris, France Liaison Office (MED-ENPI): Valencia, Spain Liaison Office (MED-IPA): Thessaloniki, Greece Information and Contact For further information about the Programme, procedures to follow for applications, reference documentation and events planned by the JTS please see the Programme s website: www.programmemed.eu Contact Région Provence-Alpes-Côte d'azur 27, Place Jules Guesde 13481 MARSEILLE Cedex 20 Tel: +33 4 91 57 52 96 (or 5133) Fax: +33 4 91 57 53 13 E-mail: stc-med@regionpaca.fr Next edition of the Newsletter: October 2009