Türkiye’s participation in the Interreg NEXT Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme for the first time in this programming period has already drawn significant attention with the strong performance demonstrated in the programme’s inaugural call. While the contracting processes of the first call projects are ongoing, it shows that Türkiye has made an exceptionally strong start to the Programme.

Under the first call, 32 Turkish beneficiaries are participating as partners in 29 projects worth €65 million out of a total of 59 projects valued at €131 million that are expected to be implemented. The institutions awarded the right to implement projects came together at the training held in İzmir on 4 December 2025.

While the programme’s geographical coverage in Türkiye includes 21 provinces, the first call features 12 provinces represented by 32 beneficiaries. Accordingly:

• İzmir ranks first with 12 projects.
• Antalya follows with 4 projects.
• Adana, Mersin, and Manisa share third place with 2 projects each.
• Burdur, Çanakkale, Edirne, Isparta, Kahramanmaraş, Muğla, and Uşak each contribute one project.

25 public institutions, including municipalities, chambers, and universities, along with 7 private institutions comprising NGOs and for-profit organizations, which are implementing the projects, have been involved in Türkiye’s Interreg NEXT Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme as active, visible, and influential partners.

Detailed Breakdown of the 29 Projects

Two Projects Focus on the Field of Health Services

CAREMED strengthens preventive services, health education, and patient engagement by implementing new care models for over 600 patients in 30 primary health centers across five countries, thereby reducing hospitalizations and complications. The project’s partner in Türkiye is the İzmir Provincial Health Directorate, while the other partners are from Italy, Spain, Tunisia, and Lebanon. The project, which has a budget of 2.8 million euros, is being carried out through the collaboration of six partners. It is expected to be completed in October 2028.

Medaigency aims to strengthen emergency healthcare systems, ensure efficient resource use, and enhance community resilience through the use of artificial intelligence. The project’s partner in Türkiye is İzmir Katip Çelebi University, while the other partners are from Lebanon, Palestine, Italy, and Spain. With a budget of 2.5 million euros, the project is being carried out through the collaboration of six partners. It is expected to be completed in August 2028.

Four Projects Support SME Growth and Competitiveness

CLUSTERATLAS4MED is a trans-Mediterranean project initiative aiming to empower rural tourism SMEs through digitalization, collaboration, and innovation, supporting sustainable and inclusive economic growth. The project’s partner in Türkiye is the İzmir Governorship, while the other partners are from Italy, Spain, Greece, Egypt, and Tunisia. The project, with a budget of 1.7 million euros, is being carried out through the collaboration of eight partners. It is expected to be completed in September 2028.

ReTour is a project that aims to strengthen tourism SMEs in the Mediterranean through advanced technologies and sustainable practices, enhancing their resilience to crises and supporting the sector’s sustainable development. The project’s partner in Türkiye is the Tarsus Commodity Exchange; the main beneficiary of the project is Greece. With a budget of 1.8 million euros, the project is being implemented through the collaboration of 9 partners and is expected to conclude in April 2028.

SMAC aims to enable hotels and accommodation businesses in the Mediterranean to implement sustainable practices easily and cost-effectively. The project’s partner in Türkiye is Adana Metropolitan Municipality; other partners are from Greece, Egypt, Spain, and Tunisia. With a budget of 2.3 million euros, the project is carried out through the collaboration of 7 partners and is expected to conclude in March 2028.

CReSInMed is a project aiming to strengthen the economic and social resilience of rural communities by enhancing the internationalization and competitiveness capacities of SMEs in the rural tourism sector in the Mediterranean. The project’s partner in Türkiye is the Western Mediterranean Development Agency; other partners are from Italy, Greece, Jordan, Tunisia, Spain, and Palestine. With a budget of 2.5 million euros, the project is implemented through the collaboration of 7 partners, and the signing process is ongoing.

Five Projects Are in the Field of Education and Training

Two of which are specifically youth-focused projects with additional budget allocated under the call.

DigitalLife4ALL is a project that supports digital skills development, safety, and equal access by creating inclusive digital learning environments and mobile training units for seniors, people with disabilities, and vulnerable groups across the Mediterranean. The project’s partner in Türkiye is Ege University, the main beneficiary of the project is Greece. With a budget of 2.8 million euros, the project is being carried out through the collaboration of seven partners. It is expected to be completed in January 2028.

MEDSHIFTGREEN is a project that aims to empower students and educators through hands-on innovation by integrating nature-based solutions and green technologies into higher education. The project’s partner in Türkiye is Kızanlıklı Training, Consultancy, Coaching Tourism Co. Ltd.; the main beneficiary of the project is Greece. With a budget of €999,147, the project is implemented through the collaboration of 4 partners and is expected to be completed in October 2028.

MERAVIGLIA aims to strengthen the professional integration of people distant from employment by providing environmental and entrepreneurial skills and to make micro-entrepreneurship a sustainable solution that addresses the environmental needs of communities. The project’s partner in Türkiye is the Governor of Manisa; other partners are from France, Italy, Tunisia, Lebanon, and Jordan. The project, with a budget of 2.5 million euros, is implemented through the collaboration of 8 partners and is expected to be completed in August 2028.

Youth Projects

HEEFTA is a project that aims to enable higher education youth in the Mediterranean to develop green and blue skills through interdisciplinary learning, advocacy, and collaborative networks, allowing them to approach environmental crises from a systemic perspective. The project’s partner in Türkiye is the Education, Geriatrics, Ecological Agriculture, and Tourism Foundation, while the other partners are from Spain, Italy, Egypt, and Tunisia. With a budget of 981,602 euros, the project is being carried out through the collaboration of seven partners. It is expected to be completed in October 2028.

MedYCI is a project that develops an innovative training program for youth CSOs in the Mediterranean to enhance young people’s digital, creative, and analytical skills and increase civic engagement.The project’s partner in Türkiye is Pi Gençlik Derneği; other partners are from France, Tunisia, Egypt, and Spain. With a budget of €1.1 million, the project is implemented through the cooperation of five partners and is expected to conclude in February 2028.

Three Projects Relate to the Field of Governance

FOODGaP aims to strengthen intercity cooperation and cohesive governance by enabling the design, testing, and implementation of local food policies together with local stakeholders. The project’s partner in Türkiye is Mersin Municipality, while the other partners are from Italy, Lebanon, Greece, and Tunisia. With a budget of 1.3 million euros, the project is being carried out through the collaboration of six partners. It is expected to be completed in July 2028.

Gov4GreenMed is a project that aims to support the implementation of public services, improve quality of life, and promote the green transition by strengthening cooperation between local authorities and stakeholders through pilot actions to develop participatory waste management and food waste policies in Mediterranean municipalities. The project’s partner in Türkiye is Antalya Metropolitan Municipality, while the other partners are from Spain, Italy, Tunisia, and Jordan. With a budget of 1.4 million euros, the project is being carried out through the collaboration of six partners. It is expected to be completed in September 2027.

MEDinCHAMBERS is a project that supports textile SMEs in the Mediterranean in transitioning to greener and more competitive business models by providing digital tools, shared services, and knowledge hubs through chambers of commerce and stakeholders. The project’s partner in Türkiye is the Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Association in İzmir, while the other partners are from Italy, Greece, Spain, Tunisia, and Egypt. With a budget of 1.4 million euros, the project is carried out through the collaboration of seven partners and is expected to be completed in September 2027.

Five Projects Contrubite to Energy Efficiency

GREENOLIVE is a project that implements pilot applications using solar energy and thermal storage technologies in Türkiye and other Mediterranean countries to increase the use of clean energy, support local innovation, and strengthen energy resilience in the plastics, textile, agricultural, and residential sectors. The project’s partners in Türkiye are Çukurova University and Aschem Petrochemical, while the other partners are from Italy, Spain, France, Palestine, and Egypt. With a budget of 2.7 million euros, the project is being carried out through the collaboration of eight partners. It is expected to be completed in September 2027.

INNOVATILE brings together project partners to scale up an innovative semi-wet granulation technology that significantly reduces energy use, raw material consumption, water usage, and greenhouse gas emissions. The project’s partners in Türkiye are Çanakkale Kalebodur Industry, Kaleseramik, and Çanakkale Technology Development Zone, the main beneficiary of the project is Spain. With a budget of 2.8 million euros, the project is being carried out through the collaboration of seven partners. It is expected to be completed in August 2028.

RESt4GREEN is a project that conducts pilot actions in seven countries to improve the energy efficiency of public buildings in the Mediterranean and support the transition to clean energy through innovative solutions. The project’s partner in Türkiye is İzmir Institute of Technology; the other partners are from Greece, Tunisia, Jordan, Egypt, Italy, and Spain. With a budget of 2.8 million euros, the project is implemented through the collaboration of 7 partners and is expected to be completed in July 2028.

SHAREN is a project that aims to increase energy efficiency and reduce energy poverty in the Mediterranean by implementing renewable energy communities and energy-sharing solutions while preserving the historical urban fabric. The project’s partner in Türkiye is the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, Directorate of Construction Works; other partners are from Spain, Lebanon, Italy, and Jordan. With a budget of 2.5 million euros, the project is carried out through the collaboration of 6 partners and is expected to be completed in September 2028.

Sludge2Energy is a project that aims to reduce pollution, produce renewable energy, and promote phosphorus recovery by converting wastewater sludge into biochar. The project’s partners in Türkiye are Dokuz Eylül University and the Manisa Water and Sewerage Administration General Directorate; the main beneficiary of the project is Italy. With a budget of 2.8 million euros, the project is carried out through the collaboration of 8 partners and is expected to conclude in September 2028.

Four Projects Supports Circular Economy

Matrix aims to reduce environmental impacts by equipping the fashion industry, particularly SMEs, with circular design practices and sustainable strategies for resources, materials, and digitalization. The project’s partner in Türkiye is İzmir Development Agency, while the other partners are from Spain, Italy, Tunisia, Egypt, and Palestine. With a budget of 1.9 million euros, the project is being carried out through the collaboration of seven partners. It is expected to be completed in March 2028.

MedWISE is a project that aims to support a circular economy and sustainability in the Mediterranean through innovative waste management solutions and pilot applications. The project’s partner in Türkiye is Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University; other partners are from Italy, Spain, Lebanon, Jordan, and Palestine. The project has a budget of €2.5 million and is carried out in collaboration with seven partners. It is expected to be completed in July 2028.

WEEE VALUE is a project that aims to protect the environment, prevent illegal dumping, and create sustainable job opportunities in e-waste management by safely collecting and recycling electronic waste in the Mediterranean. The project’s partner in Türkiye is Burdur Municipality; the main beneficiary of the project is Greece. With a budget of 2.7 million euros, the project is implemented through the collaboration of 8 partners, and the signing process is ongoing.

ORIENTATE is a project that aims to protect the environment, create job opportunities, and support local communities by transforming olive and citrus waste into useful products in Mediterranean agriculture. The project’s partner in Türkiye is Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University; other partners are from Italy, Spain, Jordan, and Lebanon. With a budget of 2.5 million euros, the project is carried out through the collaboration of five partners. The signing process of the project is ongoing.

Three Projects Deal With Climate Change

MedFireWise is a project aiming to reduce wildfire risk in Mediterranean forests by implementing nature-based solutions such as prescribed burning and silvopasture, thereby enhancing the resilience of local communities, economies, and ecosystems. The project’s partner in Türkiye is the Edirne Forestry Enterprise, while the other partners are from Greece, Spain, Italy, Tunisia, Algeria, and Lebanon. With a budget of 2.2 million euros, the project is being carried out through the collaboration of seven partners. It is expected to be completed in June 2028.

The MedPROACTaims to enhance the climate change adaptation capacity of Mediterranean coastal communities and strengthen the sustainability of marine ecosystems through pilot actions and demonstrated solutions. The project’s partner in Türkiye is the Mediterranean Fisheries Research, Production and Training Institute of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, while the other partners are from Italy, Tunisia, and Jordan. With a budget of 2.8 million euros, the project is being carried out through the collaboration of seven partners and is expected to be completed in June 2028.

NBS4MED aims to enhance urban climate adaptation capacity in the Mediterranean by integrating nature-based solutions into urban climate resilience planning. The project’s partner in Türkiye is İzmir Metropolitan Municipality; other partners are from Greece, Spain, Tunisia, Egypt, and Jordan. With a budget of 2.3 million euros, the project is implemented through the collaboration of 8 partners and is expected to be completed in October 2028.

One Project Foster Research and Development Capabilities

PROTECHMED is a project that brings together stakeholders to develop and implement eco-innovative solutions that increase water and energy efficiency in horticulture. The project’s partner in Türkiye is Akdeniz University; the other partners are from Greece, Italy, Lebanon, Tunisia, and Malta. With a budget of 2.3 million euros, the project is carried out through the collaboration of 8 partners and is expected to be completed in August 2028.

Two Projects Focus on Water Management

The RESWATER project will focus on critical urban water demand areas, identifying trends in water resource availability and water demand, and assessing future risks to water supply security (ensuring there is always enough safe and reliable water available). The project’s partner in Türkiye is İzmir Metropolitan Municipality; the other partners are from Malta, Greece, Spain, Tunisia, Egypt, and Italy. With a budget of 2.8 million euros, the project is being implemented through the collaboration of 7 partners and is expected to be completed in August 2028.

SWAMED is a project that uses advanced technologies and a multi-stakeholder approach to reduce water use in irrigated agriculture and promote sustainable practices in the Mediterranean. The project’s partner in Türkiye is Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University, and the other partners are from Italy, Tunisia, Egypt, and Greece. With a budget of 2.7 million euros, the project is implemented through the collaboration of 5 partners and is expected to be completed in July 2028.

Beneficiaries Completed the Project Implementation Training

Within the scope of the Interreg NEXT Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme, for which the Directorate for EU Affairs, National Authority of the Programme, a training session was held in İzmirfor the Turkish beneficiaries who were awarded grants under the first call for proposals. The opening speech of the training was delivered by Bülent Özcan, Director General for Financial Cooperation and Project Implementation at the Directorate for EU Affairs.

During the training organized by the Directorate for EU Affairs, the projects were introduced, allowing all participants to learn about each other’s initiatives. This, in turn, contributed to creating synergies that are expected to support the development of potential collaborations for the programme’s third call.

The training addressed key aspects of project implementation. Sessions were held on finance, procurement, taxation, and communication, providing beneficiaries with guidance on practical issues and sharing of good practices.

In addition, information was provided on the IVY (Interreg Volunteer Youth) initiative, which enables young people to gain experience within programme authorities and contribute to projects implemented under the Cross-border Cooperation Department of the Directorate for EU Affairs. This initiative continues to support ongoing and upcoming Interreg projects.

Click here to access the presentations given at the event.