WestMED Initiative strengthens synergies with MedLab and the Interreg Managing Authorities

Back-to-back to the WestMED Steering Committee meeting in Brussels, the MedLab annual meeting took place on 25 – 26 June.

Back-to-back to the WestMED Steering Committee meeting in Brussels, the MedLab annual meeting took place on 25-26 June 2024 and was hosted by Interact and TESIM.

The MedLab is a platform which aims to share and transfer Mediterranean-based knowledge and to improve synergies and complementarities between Interreg programmes and other EU funds active in the area to increase their impact in the region.

The network is particularly focused on developing these implementation synergies, considering the two geographical frameworks currently in the area. These are, the WestMED Sea Basin Initiative and the EUSAIR.

On this occasion, the meeting had a strong focus on the Post-2027 debate and discussions on maritime cooperation for Post-27 in the Mediterranean. Interact and TESIM presented the advancements on synergies from different angles, including synergies in the project assessment phase of several Interreg Programmes as well as complementary synergies between cross-border and transnational programmes and synergies with other EU funds and Initiatives.

Another important point discussed were how Interreg Programmes engage stakeholders and citizen through consultations.

Lastly, the Sustainable Tourism Multi-programme Coordination Mechanism was presented as successful programme of cooperation in the region.

After this 2-day event with fruitful and dynamic sessions, the discussion between Interreg programmes, DG Regio, and DG Mare showed that there are still different definitions and perceptions of what is understood as ‘maritime’ cooperation.

In any case, this concept is very important for Interreg programmes, that already deal with related topics such as biodiversity, climate change, sustainable approach energy (security and new resources), technology transfer, health, and blue economy.

The WestMED Initiative was invited as Observers to contribute to strengthening synergies with EU funding instruments and to align priorities with the Sea Basins strategies.