Cross-border cooperation in the Mediterranean Region

Context:

The revised European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), presented in November 2015, introduces a new approach based on stability and a stronger partnership between the EU and its neighbours. The focus also changes from transformation (promotion of political and economic reforms) to stabilisation of the neighbourhood.

Under this overarching goal of stabilisation, the revised ENP sets the creation of economic development opportunities, with a strong focus on youth employability, as a key priority. Given the strong link between job creation and sustainable territorial development, interregional and cross-border cooperation (CBC) is also given renewed support.

In its regional cooperation efforts in the Southern neighbourhood, the EU gives priority, wherever suitable, to the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM). This organisation, which has proved to be a valuable forum for political and economic discussion, also provides a framework for cooperation on issues of common interest and on operational projects in the region

Scope and Objectives:

The aim of this report is to provide the information necessary to prepare the Euro-Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly (ARLEM) report on cross border cooperation in the Mediterranean region, covering the Union for the Mediterranean member countries. This report, divided into five sections, covers:

1. an analysis of the most innovative sectoral policies implemented in the Mediterranean Sea Basin area within the thematic areas identified in the CBC-Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme (CBC-Med) 2014-2020 framework;
2. an in-depth analysis of the most pressing socio-economic issues in selected mid-sized towns and regions of the Euro-Mediterranean region;
3. case studies of recent projects conducted in the areas under investigation;
4. recommendations on possible monitoring tools able to define environmental practices present lessons learned and recommendations for the next programming perspective; and
5. a focus on the most promising projects fostering mitigation and adaptation strategies.

Client: Committee of the Regions

Consortium leader: London School of Economics and Political Science