Armenia joins Interreg Next development programme of Black Sea basin

ArmInfo.On February 13, the Government of Armenia approved the draft decree of the President of  the Republic of Armenia <On approval of the financing agreement between the Republic of Armenia, Romania and the European Commission <Interreg NEXT Program for the Black Sea Basin> with a total budget  of 72 million 275 thousand euros.

As stated in the explanatory note to the document, within the  framework of the European Neighborhood, Development and International  Cooperation Program for 2021-2027, an agreement was signed between  the Republic of Armenia, Romania and the European Commission on June  28, April 16 and April 9, 2024 on the financing of the grant program  <Interreg NEXT for the Black Sea Basin> for 2021-2027, which is aimed  at promoting long-term cross-border cooperation of the Black Sea  countries in the areas of green and blue economy, environmental  protection, territorial development, research and implementation and  application of innovative technologies.

It is noted that projects aimed at cross-border cooperation can  receive funding within the framework of the Program.

The total budget of the Programme is EUR 72,275,137 (for all  participating countries), of which EU grant funding amounts to EUR  65,047,623 (90% of the total) and is provided to projects submitted  by consortia consisting of legal entities from participating  countries that have successfully passed the selection stages of the  Programme.

The remaining 10% is co-financing by the participating state (payment  of salaries of relevant employees of state bodies involved in the  national coordination and management of the Programme).

The Programme is a framework programme, with beneficiary countries of  the Black Sea region (Armenia, Georgia, Romania, Bulgaria, Greece,  Turkey, Ukraine and Moldova) signing separate financing agreements,  and the grant funds will be used to finance joint projects involving  countries of the region.

The overall project will focus on innovative and smart economic  transformation and promotion of regional cooperation, as well as the  transition to a greener, low-carbon economy, a zero-carbon economy  and clean and renewable energy, promoting green and blue investments  and a circular economy, climate change mitigation and adaptation,  risk prevention and management and sustainable urban mobility. The  project envisages:

Developing and expanding research and innovation capacity, applying  advanced technologies, 2. Applying approaches aimed at climate change  adaptation, disaster risk prevention and ecosystem conservation, 3.   Strengthening the protection and conservation of nature, biodiversity  and green infrastructure, including in urban areas, as well as  reducing all types of pollution.

The beneficiaries of the program may be state and territorial  authorities, as well as local governments, foundations, public  organizations, chambers of commerce and industry, academic and  educational institutions, cultural and archaeological associations.

Armenia has been participating in the Black Sea cross-border  cooperation program since 2007. Within the framework of the European  Neighborhood and Partnership Instrument for 2007-2013, as well as  within the European Neighborhood Instrument in 2014-2020, 38 projects  have been implemented by consortia formed with the participation of  Armenian beneficiaries.

The financing agreement does not create financial obligations for the  Republic of Armenia.