The programme’s measures are also expected to create jobs, improve infrastructures and better protect the environment.

According to a European Commission press release on Wednesday, the Interreg programme is worth more than €54 million including a contribution from the European Union of nearly €46 million from the European Regional Development Fund.

The programme will focus on the three priorities of enhancing competitiveness and entrepreneurship, the efficient use of energy and sustainable transport, and the conservation and protection of the environment and risk prevention.

“The new ‘Interreg’ programme aims to increase competitiveness by supporting entrepreneurship, fostering the use of information and communication technologies and supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs),” The European Commission said.

The programme also focuses on ways the regions can work together to mitigate and reverse the negative effects of climate change through investments in a low emission economy.

Moreover, it will contribute to environment protection: either through risk prevention or in terms of promotion of the areas’ natural and cultural heritage.

Some expected results include an increase the use of Information and Communication Technologies by businesses and the public sector.

Reduce air pollutants in urban areas.

The programme will also enhance accessibility in the border region while improving transport safety, improve Maritime Spatial Planning and Integrated Coastal Zone Management, and produce joint tourism development strategies and planning of joint alternative tourism products and destinations.

It is in addition expected to improve the efficiency of water resources and. promote integrated waste management.

Source: InCyprus