I am absolutely convinced of the importance of initiatives such as Interreg NEXT MED – a Programme created for the territories, with the territories, which puts the Mediterranean at the center of the European Union’s action. The success of the Programme is also related to the energy and commitment of the Region of Sardinia as Managing Authority.

The different phases of the Mediterranean Basin Programme have promoted cooperation between people through partnerships among the public and private sectors, as well as the civil society. The importance of the Programme lies in its contribution to smart, sustainable and equitable development across the Mediterranean basin by supporting balanced, long-lasting, broad-based cooperation and multilateral governance.

Within the framework of the European Union’s cooperation policies with partner countries, Interreg NEXT MED serves as a pivotal platform for collaborative action across the Mediterranean. Leveraging its extensive experience in implementing the largest cooperation initiative in the Euro-Mediterranean area, the Region of Sardinia is dedicated to fostering harmonious fruitful relations between the two shores, with a continued commitment extending into the post-2027 programming period.

NEXT MED is the largest Interreg programme on the EU’s external borders both in terms of funding and geographical coverage. When agreeing on the priorities, the 15 participating countries very wisely decided to focus on the most pressing needs and problems of the Mediterranean, in particular those that are best tackled jointly rather than by each country on its own. This is very much in line with the Commission’s vision.