Cross-border Cooperation Programmes

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Black Sea Basin Programme

​​Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin (BSB) Programme 2021-2027, operating under the European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI), has a total budget of €94 million. This program fosters cross-border cooperation among countries in the Black Sea region, including Bulgaria, Romania, Greece, Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, Türkiye, and Ukraine. Its main priorities are promoting economic and social development by supporting SMEs, entrepreneurship, and cross-border trade, and enhancing environmental protection through projects focused on pollution reduction, sustainable resource use, and climate change adaptation. The program aims to strengthen regional ties and contribute to sustainable development in the region.

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Eligible Area:

The geographical coverage of the Interreg NEXT BSB Programme, as described and reflected in the Programme document, is as follows:

• Member States:

  • Bulgaria: Severoiztochen (Varna, Burgas, Shumen, Dobrich, Targovishte, Razgrad, Silistra), Yugoiztochen (Burgas, Haskovo, Stara Zagora, Yambol, Sliven, Kardzhali, Smolyan)

  • Greece: Kentriki Makedonia (Thessaloniki, Serres, Katerini, Veria Kilkis), Anatoliki Makedonia Thraki. (Kavala, Drama, Xanthi, Komotini, Alexandroupoli)

  • Romania: Sud-Est (Buzau, Braila, Constanta, Galati, Tulcea, Vrancea)

• Partner Countries:

  • Türkiye: İstanbul, Tekirdağ, Edirne, Kırklareli, Kocaeli, Sakarya, Düzce, Bolu, Yalova, Zonguldak, Karabük, Bartın, Kastamonu, Çankırı, Sinop, Samsun, Tokat, Çorum, Amasya and Trabzon, Ordu, Giresun, Rize, Artvin, Gümüşhane

  • Ukraine: Odesa, Mykolaiv, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia Oblasts and Bakhmut District, Kramatorsk District, Volnovakha District, Mariupol District, Pokrovsk District from Donetsk[2] Oblast

  • Armenia: whole territory

  • Georgia: whole territory

  • Moldova: whole territory

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• Eligible Applicants

Public and private legal entities established in the Programme area,

• Local entities of public authorities (Governorships, District Governorships, Provincial Directorates, Regional Directorates)

• Local Authorities (Municipalities including Municipality Undertakings, Provincial Special Administrations)

• Bodies Governed by Public Law (Development Agencies / Administrations / Unions, Chambers, Commodity Exchanges, Cooperatives)

• Educational and Research Institutions (Universities, Research Centres, Institutes, State Owned Schools)

• Non-profit Organisations (Associations, Unions, Foundations and other NGOs)

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Bulgaria-Türkiye Programme

Interreg IPA Bulgaria-Türkiye Cross-border Cooperation Programme 2021-2027, operating under the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA III), has a total budget of €34 million. This program promotes cross-border cooperation between Bulgaria and Türkiye, focusing on sustainable regional development. Its main priorities include fostering economic growth by supporting SMEs, entrepreneurship, and tourism development, and enhancing environmental protection through initiatives related to natural resource management, climate change adaptation, and disaster risk prevention. The program aims to strengthen ties between the two countries and contribute to long-term sustainability and prosperity in the border regions.

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Eligible Area:

The geographical coverage of the Interreg IPA Bulgaria-Türkiye Cross-border Cooperation Programme includes specific border regions from both countries, as follows:

Member State:

• Bulgaria: Yugoiztochen Region: Haskovo, Burgas, and Yambol provinces.

Partner Country:

• Türkiye: Edirne, Kırklareli

These regions are eligible to participate in cross-border projects that foster collaboration, improve socio-economic conditions, and promote sustainable development on both sides of the border.

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Eligible Applicants:

The following organisations are eligible to apply for cross-border projects under the program:

• Local and regional authorities: Municipalities, regional administrations, and other public authorities.

• Non-governmental organisations (NGOs): Civil society organisations working in areas like environment, social services, education, and culture.

• Educational and research institutions: Universities, research centers, and vocational training institutions.

• Business support organisations: Chambers of commerce, business associations, and clusters.

• Public service providers: Organisations responsible for public services like waste management, water supply, and energy.

These eligible applicants are encouraged to collaborate on projects that enhance economic and social development, promote environmental sustainability, and foster cooperation between the two countries.

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Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme

Interreg NEXT Mediterranean Sea Basin (MED) Programme 2021-2027, operating under the European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI), has a total budget of €253 million. The program fosters cross-border cooperation among Mediterranean countries, focusing on sustainable development, regional cooperation, and addressing common challenges. It promotes economic growth and social cohesion while enhancing environmental protection through projects focused on climate change adaptation, biodiversity, pollution reduction, and sustainable resource management.

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Main Priorities:

1. Promoting Economic and Social Development:

   • Support for SMEs, entrepreneurship, and innovation in sectors like tourism, agri-food, and the blue economy.

   • Encouraging cross-border trade and improving market access for businesses across the region.

2. Environmental Sustainability:

   • Initiatives aimed at protecting biodiversity, promoting sustainable use of natural resources, and reducing pollution in the Mediterranean.

   • Supporting projects focused on climate change adaptation and mitigating environmental risks.

3. Enhancing Cross-Border Cooperation:

   • Strengthening regional ties by fostering cooperation between public authorities, NGOs, educational institutions, and businesses.

   • Promoting knowledge-sharing and best practices in areas like governance, education, and regional development.

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Eligible Area:

The geographical coverage of the Interreg NEXT MED Programme includes both EU and non-EU countries around the Mediterranean Sea:

Member States:

• Cyprus: Entire territory.

• France: Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Occitanie, Corsica.

• Greece: Attiki, Voreio Aigaio, Notio Aigaio, Kriti, Anatoliki Makedonia, Thraki, Kentriki Makedonia, Dytiki Makedonia, Ipeiros, Thessalia, Ionia Nisia, Dytiki Elláda, Sterea Elláda, Peloponnisos.

• Italy: Liguria, Campania, Puglia, Basilicata, Calabria, Sicilia, Sardegna, Toscana, Lazio.

• Malta: Entire territory.

• Portugal: Algarve.

• Spain: Cataluña, Comunitat Valenciana, Illes Balears, Andalucía, Región de Murcia, Ciudad de Ceuta, Ciudad de Melilla.

Partner Countries:

• Algeria: Tlemcen, Ain-Temouchent, Oran, Mostaganem, Chlef, Tipaza, Boumerdes, Tizi Ouzou, Bejaia, Jijel, Skikda, Annaba, El-Tarf, Alger.

• Egypt: Matruh, Alexandria, Behera, Kafr-el-sheikh, Sharkia, Dakahlia, Damietta, Ismailia, Port Said, Cairo.

• Israel: Entire territory.

• Jordan: Entire territory.

• Lebanon: Entire territory.

• Libya: Tripoli, Misrata, Benghazi, Tobruk.

• Morocco: Tangier-Tétouan-Al Hoceima, Rabat-Salé-Kénitra, Oriental.

• Palestine: West Bank and Gaza Strip.

• Syria: Latakia, Tartus, Aleppo.

• Tunisia: Zaghouan, Kairouan, Sidi Bouzid, Manouba, Siliana, Le Kef, Gafsa, Kebili, Tataouine, Jendouba, Beja, Bizerte, Ariana, Tunis, Ben Arous, Nabeul, Sousse, Monastir, Mahdia, Sfax, Gabes, Medenine.

• Türkiye: Tekirdağ, Edirne, Kırklareli, Balıkesir, Çanakkale, Izmir, Aydın, Denizli, Muğla, Manisa, Afyonkarahisar, Kütahya, Uşak, Antalya, Isparta, Burdur, Adana, Mersin, Hatay, Kahramanmaraş, Osmaniye.

Eligible Applicants:

The following entities are eligible to apply for cross-border projects under the program:

• Public authorities: Local, regional, and national authorities involved in areas like economic development, environmental protection, and governance.

• Non-governmental organisations (NGOs): Civil society organisations working on environmental, social, or economic issues.

• Educational and research institutions: Universities, research centers, and vocational training institutes.

• Business associations and chambers of commerce: Organisations supporting business development, innovation, and trade.

• Public service providers: Entities providing public services, including water management, waste treatment, and energy supply.

This program aims to strengthen Mediterranean regional integration, promote sustainability, and support innovation by encouraging collaboration between Mediterranean countries and regions.