On 16 June 2026, the Mediterranean Multi-Programme Mechanism (MMM) organised an online event to present its Coordinated Call for Proposals and Mediterranean Peer Learning Visits (MPLVs). The session was moderated by Rosario Sapienza, representing the TESIM NEXT Programme.
The event attracted strong participation, with more than 600 attendees connected from all programmes across the Mediterranean area, confirming the growing interest in a more coordinated and synergistic approach to territorial cooperation.
In her opening remarks, Silvia Comiati (Managing Authority of the Interreg Italy-Croatia Programme) introduced the MMM framework, highlighting its strategic value.
During the institutional address, Olivier Baudelet (DG REGIO, European Commission) stressed that the MMM initiative represents an important step towards a new model of cooperation, based not on competition among programmes, but on coherence, coordination and the practical development of synergies. The coordinated call was also presented as an opportunity to reflect on and strengthen the way programmes cooperate in the Mediterranean, making the MMM a tangible example of integration among funding instruments.
Curzio Cervelli (Coordinator of the Joint Secretariat of the Interreg Euro-MED Programme) presented the coordinated call, outlining its structure, objectives and opportunities for beneficiaries. The call aims to promote more integrated projects capable of generating greater impact through collaboration among programmes and territories, while helping to reduce fragmentation and duplication.
Martin Heibel (Communication Manager of the Interreg NEXT MED Programme) then presented the next developments of the MMM, with particular focus on the Mediterranean Peer Learning Visits (MPLVs). These visits will provide concrete opportunities for exchange among territories and stakeholders, fostering mutual learning, the transfer of good practices and capacity building.
The Q&A session demonstrated a high level of interest and engagement among participants. It was not possible to address all questions during the webinar; the contributions collected will serve as a basis for the upcoming technical meetings among programmes in support of the call.
In the closing remarks, Tamara Pavlin (DG REGIO, European Commission) highlighted the initiative as an innovative and practical response to the European Commission’s objective of fostering greater complementarity among programmes. She also emphasised that the real challenge for projects is not to replicate existing initiatives, but to generate added value by experimenting with new forms of cooperation and stepping outside their comfort zones to develop more effective and integrated solutions.
The event confirmed its role as an important opportunity for dialogue within the Mediterranean cooperation community, marking a significant step towards a more strategic, coordinated and results-oriented approach within the Mediterranean Multi-Programme Mechanism (MMM).
Event materials
