Regionaal programma voor grensoverschrijdende samenwerking: Italië en Malta - 2007-2013 (en)

• 1. 

  - programme co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under the European Territorial Cooperation objective

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• 2. 

  General Information

On 27 November 2007 the European Commission approved the . This Operational Programme comes under the European Territorial Cooperation objective in Italy and Malta and has a total budget of about 35 million euros. The financing provided by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) amounts to some 30 million euros. The programme involves the provinces of Agrigento, Caltanisetta, Ragusa, Siracusa and Trapani and the provinces of Catania and Palermo adjacent to the eligible areas in Sicily, together with the whole of Malta, including Gozo and Comino.

• 3. 

  Purpose and aim of the programme

The aim of the cross-border cooperation strategy of the Italy-Malta programme 2007-2013 is to enhance and improve cooperation between border areas with regard to:

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  accessibility;
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  innovation;
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  environmental protection;
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  development of natural and cultural resources;
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  sharing of infrastructure and integrated services.

The purpose of the programme is to boost competitiveness in the Mediterranean context, to ensure the cohesion of the geographical areas in question and to encourage job creation and sustainable development.

• 4. 

  Expected impact of the investment

The Italy-Malta territorial cooperation programme 2007-2013 will make it possible to:

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  improve access to physical and non-physical networks and transport services in order to further the integration of these networks and to make them competitive, especially in connection with the Trans-European Networks (TEN);
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  encourage the joint development of innovation and entrepreneurship with a broader objective, that of the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs);
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  promote the protection, management and best joint use of natural and cultural resources and protection against natural and technological risks, with a view to establishing a joint programme for sustainable development and cultural promotion in the cooperation area;
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  develop energy efficiency through the use of renewable energy sources;
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  foster cooperation and encourage the creation of networks to improve access to public services, especially in the areas of health, culture, tourism, quality of life and education;
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  strengthen links between urban and rural areas in order to contribute to territorial cohesion.

• 5. 

  Priorities

The Operational Programme is divided into three priority areas:

Priority 1: Competitiveness, innovation, research and sustainable development [about 49% of total investment]

The aim of the first priority is to:

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  improve cross-border accessibility and strengthen environment-friendly transport systems;
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  encourage the creation of networks in the areas of research and innovation, especially in the field of applied research;
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  promote the joint development of innovation and entrepreneurship with a broader objective, that of the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), industry, agriculture, crafts, tourism and cross-border trade with a view to building up competitiveness in a wider Mediterranean and European context.

Priority 2: Environment, energy and risk prevention [about 45% of total investment]

The aim of this priority is to promote the protection, management and best joint use of natural and cultural resources and protection against natural and technological risks, with a view to establishing a joint programme for sustainable development and cultural promotion in the cooperation area. Support will also be given to projects for energy saving and the use of alternative energy sources, especially wind power.

Priority 3: Technical assistance [about 6% of total investment]

The aim of this priority is to increase the technical capabilities of the authorities responsible for the programme, so that the preparation, implementation, supervision, follow-up, evaluation, information and monitoring stages can be managed efficiently.

• 6. 

  Managing authority: Regione Siciliana, Palermo, Italy

Contact details:

Regione Sicilia

Ufficio Speciale per la cooperazione decentrata allo sviluppo e alla solidarietà internazionale

Piazza Sturzo 36

I-90100 Palermo

Italy

Tel. +39 091 7070253

Fax + 39 091 7070054

E-mail: apiceno@regione.sicilia.it

Interne: www.regione.sicilia.it

• 7. 

  Title:

Type of action: Operational Programme

CCI No.: 2007CB163PO037

Decision No.: C/2008/7336

Date of approval: 27/11/2008

Breakdown of funding by priority (EUR)