A more united, greener, innovative, and supportive Adriatic: this is the goal of the 43 new projects approved under the Interreg IPA South Adriatic Programme, presented today in Tirana by the Albanian Government Agency (SASPAC) in collaboration with the Programme Managing Authority.
With a total investment of €41 million, the projects were selected from 198 proposals and involve over 220 partners from Italy (Puglia and Molise), Albania, and Montenegro. Among them: 57 Apulian beneficiaries – 30 of which are lead partners – 54 Albanian, 43 Montenegrin, and 33 from Molise, with multilevel partnerships involving universities, research centres, training bodies, Chambers of Commerce, regional and local authorities.
The projects cover four strategic areas:
Competitiveness and Innovation:
10 projects dedicated to competitiveness (about €9 million) aim to make the Programme area smarter and more innovative. Initiatives range from supporting cultural and creative enterprises, with incentives for film productions, to creating cross-border clusters for crafts, and involving SMEs in developing digital health solutions for patients with neurodegenerative diseases.
Environmental Sustainability:
The 16 “Green” projects (about €15 million) focus on the environment with concrete actions for a safer, greener, and more sustainable region. Key measures include an early warning system for wildfires, experimental use of drones and AI for climate disaster prevention, and biodiversity protection for species such as the little tern, Caretta caretta sea turtle, and Mediterranean monk seal.
In terms of energy transition, the projects test solutions for public building energy efficiency and the integration of renewable energies for low-emission small boat navigation.
Mobility and Connectivity:
A more connected Adriatic region is the aim of the 6 transport sector projects (about €6 million). Interventions include smart traffic lights and surveillance systems in urban mobility, enhanced physical and cyber security in small ports through advanced technologies, and a joint strategy to prepare the rail ecosystem for the post-2027 period. Actions also include smart solutions for rural mobility and improved access to the TEN-T network via pilot actions and “soft” interventions.
Social Inclusion:
An Adriatic region where no one is left behind is the common thread of the 11 projects on social inclusion (about €10 million). Women, youth, NEETs, and people with disabilities are the main actors of change. Actions include green entrepreneurship training for youth and women, short master’s programmes in Robotics 4.0 and additive manufacturing to strengthen the school-business-innovation link, and labour inclusion pathways also for students with special educational needs.
There is also a focus on cultural accessibility, with training sessions for the theatre and museum sectors, and for NEETs, skills development in food and wine and sustainable tourism sectors that enhance local food heritage in an ecosystem combining producers, culture, and creativity.
The picture is completed by projects on interfaith dialogue and inclusive sports tourism—tools of cohesion and collective well-being for an increasingly united area.
“Albania’s next step toward strengthening regional cooperation and aligning with EU standards is embodied in the implementation of the new 43 projects under the IPA South Adriatic Programme,” emphasized Eridana Çano, Head of SASPAC. “The investment of 13 million euros is not merely a sign of the European Union’s support for our country, but a testament to its ongoing commitment to guiding Albania’s reforms and enhancing the quality of life for all Albanian citizens.
With 54 Albanian beneficiaries actively involved, these projects reflect our country's growing role in the region and our dedication to inclusive development, innovation, and sustainability. This is not only a technical and financial achievement, but a strategic step forward in Albania’s European integration journey.”
“For the Interreg IPA South Adriatic Programme, the official launch of the projects is a major milestone marking the 2021–2027 programming period,” emphasized Claudio Polignano, Managing Authority of the Programme. “The Programme has already funded 5 strategic projects with a total investment of €31.58 million and 40 capitalization projects with nearly €8 million, committing 98% of available resources. The selected projects are grounded in the core principles of territorial development: innovative solutions, practical implementation and long-term sustainability. With the conclusion of this call, the Programme is now gearing up to define proposals and its post-2027 role, in accordance with the requests of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO).”
“Montenegro is proud to have 43 beneficiaries involved in these joint cross-border actions, which will drive forward our shared vision of a more integrated and prosperous South Adriatic region – declared Miloš Marković, Director General of the Directorate for European Territorial Cooperation, Ministry of European Affairs Montenegro. By working together, we can strengthen our ties and effectively address our common social, economic and environmental challenges. These newly approved standard projects, alongside the ongoing small-scale and strategic projects, promise to deliver tangible benefits that will enhance the quality of life throughout the South Adriatic.
"Italy’s participation in the Interreg IPA South Adriatic Programme represents a strategic opportunity to promote cooperation, growth, and innovation throughout the Adriatic area – declared Paolo Galletta, Head of Service European Territorial Cooperation Programme Coordination and Monitoring Italian Presidency of the Council of Ministers Department for Cohesion Policies and the South.
The IPA South Adriatic Programme has launched capitalization calls with the explicit aim of leveraging and building upon the experiences and outputs achieved by co-financed projects from the 2014–2020 programming period. The Programme’s strong focus on the Western Balkans area — alongside its support for key issues such as environment, energy, and sustainable transport — is also intended to support the EU enlargement process towards the Balkan countries."
"Gilles Kittel, from the Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy of the European Commission, highlights the crucial role of the approved Standard Projects under Interreg IPA South Adriatic. These initiatives, he notes, are instrumental in strengthening the administrative capacities of Albania and Montenegro as part of their EU pre-accession journey. Through tangible cooperation with a Member State,” Mr. Kittel explains, “These projects serve as a kind of pre-accession academy, enabling partners to build new management skills day by day.” In addition to technical capacity-building, the projects offer a practical space to apply and improve communication strategies, underscoring the importance of making visible the real benefits for both citizens and businesses.
Download the press release in Albanian Language
Download the press release in Italian Language