site.btaEuropean Commission Approves Transnational Cooperation Programme for Balkan-Mediterranean Area

European Commission Approves Transnational Cooperation Programme for Balkan-Mediterranean Area

Sofia, September 28 (BTA) - The European Commission approved
Monday the first EU Transnational Cooperation Programme for the
Balkan-Mediterranean region, covering the Balkan Peninsula and
the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, the Bulgarian Regional
Development and Public Works Ministry said.

Bringing together three EU countries (Greece, Bulgaria and
Cyprus) and two candidate countries (Albania and the former
Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia), the programme will have two
priority axes: entrepreneurship and innovation, and environment.

The budget of the programme totals nearly 40 million euro, of
which the EU provides 33 million euro through the European
Regional Development Fund and the Instrument for Pre-accession
Assistance.

The 15 per cent national co-financing for the Bulgarian partners
 has been ensured from the national budget.

The projects funded under the programme will foster
entrepreneurial, social and digital innovation, establish
linkages between business and education, and enable the exchange
 of knowledge between the regions. Investments under the second
priority will ensure a sustainable use of resources and
preservation of natural and cultural heritage across the whole
Balkan-Mediterranean region.