The Operational Programme "Mediterranean Programme" or Transnational Cooperation Operational Programme under the European Territorial Cooperation Objective, co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), between Cyprus, France, Gibraltar, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain (with participation from Croatia and Montenegro) will be in opperation from 2007 until 2013.

The Programme aims to strengthen the region’s economy in order to ensure growth and employment for future generations. It also aims to support territorial cohesion and improve the region’s environmental protection and sustainable development credentials.

The Operational Programme will:

1. Disseminate innovative technologies and know-how.
2. Strengthen strategic cooperation between public authorities and economic development bodies.
3. Protect and enhance natural resources and heritage.
4. Promote renewable energy and energy efficiency.
5. Reduce maritime risks and improve safety in the Mediterranean sea.
6. Improve accessibility to the sea and local ports through the use of intermodal transport solutions.

The Programme will also fund projects that aim to prevent and fight natural disasters. Money will also be allocated to support better use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in remote areas and to strengthen cultural ties across the entire region. In addition, the Programme promises to deliver better coordination of development policies and improvements in territorial governance.

The Operational Programme is structured around the following priority axes:

• Strengthening innovation capacities [approximately 30.0% of total funding]
• Protection of the environment and promotion of a sustainable territorial development [approximately 34.0% of total funding]
• Improving mobility and territorial accessibility [approximately 20.0% of total funding]
• Promotion of a polycentric and integrated MED space [approximately 10.0% of total funding]
• Technical assistance [approximately 6.0% of total funding]

The organising authorities Conseil Régional Provence-Alpes Côte d'Azur – Marseille, France will manage the programme and dispose of a total budget of 256,617,688 euros.