How Interreg Euro-MED projects turn results into lasting impact

This is a challenge that several projects have successfully addressed, including AZA4ICE, TO CARE MED, LOGREENER, MPA4CHANGE and WE GO COOP. We spoke with their teams to better understand the approaches they have developed.

Widely used in European and international project contexts, the concept of capitalisation still calls for a clear definition. Its aim is to facilitate the reuse of results and methods developed through projects, so they can be replicated or adapted to other contexts, or integrated into local, regional, national or even European public policies.

The projects featured here illustrate different approaches and show how capitalisation can support long-term impact, backed by strong partnerships and high-quality results.

Start early: building projects with capitalisation in mind

Strong results are the foundation of any capitalisation process. The TO CARE MED project illustrates this well. It extends the Tourism Carrying Capacity Limit (TCCL) - a tool for managing tourist flows developed in earlier initiatives (from SHAPE Tourism to ALTER ECO) - to new destinations.

‘It was our successful results that convinced us to continue. The potential of our methods and tools proved greater than expected, and that is when we realised it would be useful to capitalise on our work,’ explains Raffaella Lioce, adjunct professor at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice.

In parallel, external recognition can confirm a project’s potential for further development. This was the case for AZA4ICE, which promotes sustainable and circular aquaculture practices building on BLUEfasma:

‘The recognition and enthusiasm from the wider stakeholder community clearly highlighted the importance and feasibility of further developing the project outcomes,’ note project coordinators Thanasis Koukounaris and Konstantina Marousi.

Importantly, capitalisation does not start at the end of a project.

Across these examples, a common approach emerges: capitalisation is integrated from the outset. While projects typically run for two to three years, ‘the process of engaging policy-makers takes time and sustained effort,’ explains Yolanda Nicolau Abad, LOGREENER project manager. The project builds on the results of COMPOSE, PRISMI and LOCAL4GREEN to support local authorities in implementing sustainable energy transition plans.

‘You need to take a capitalisation approach throughout the project. This is how you mobilise stakeholders, gain political support and apply your research results in real-life contexts,’ adds Nicola Camatti, associate professor at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice and partner in TO CARE MED.

Two key lessons stand out:

• Mobilise a broad stakeholder community

• Plan early for the integration of results into public policy

Expanding scope: building on results and engaging communities

Building on results from the outset, delivering strong outcomes and ensuring continuity provide a solid foundation. Another key factor is the ability to develop complementary actions that go beyond the project’s initial scope.

The MPA4CHANGE partnership, for instance, launched the 100MPA MedAlliance to support marine protected area (MPA) managers in developing climate change adaptation plans.

‘Our toolkit was developed during the MPA-Adapt project and later refined through MPA Engage. However, we realised that managers often lacked the financial resources or expertise to fully implement it. This led us to create the 100MPA MedAlliance to support their adaptation strategies,’ explain Nicolas Espitalier (B.Link) and Joaquim Garrabou (Institute of Marine Sciences, Barcelona).

A similar approach can be seen in WE GO COOP, a project focused on implementing wetland contracts following TUNE UP and WETNET.

‘For us, creating a Community of Practice was a natural step. It provides a space for discussion on the implementation of these contracts, which had previously been missing,’ explain Romina D’Ascanio and Elisa Avellini, researchers at Roma Tre University.

In addition to facilitating exchanges, this platform includes an interactive and collaborative database of wetland contracts across the programme area.

These examples illustrate how capitalisation supports continuity across project generations. As Raffaella Lioce summarises: ‘Capitalisation transforms something with a defined timeframe into long-term governance and lasting results. It highlights that results are not an end in themselves, but a resource that can be continuously improved to respond to changing social and economic contexts.’

This capacity to evolve is key to ensuring transferability.

From results to impact: influencing practices and policies

The adoption and wider use of project solutions can be seen as the culmination of the capitalisation process. Several examples illustrate this:

• The TO CARE MED project was approached by the city of Matera (Italy) to apply its Tourism Carrying Capacity Limit. ‘It is very encouraging to see our results reaching cities that are not project partners or directly involved in the programme,’ says Nicola Camatti.

• The LOCAL4GREEN project worked with numerous municipalities to design over 100 fiscal policy measures to support the energy transition. Nearly 70 of these were adopted, and most remain in force today. Its successor, LOGREENER, continues to support municipalities across the Mediterranean with practical tools for local energy planning.

• The AZA4ICE project has influenced regional authorities, including Crete and Sardinia, which have integrated its findings into funding criteria and support schemes for sustainable aquaculture and the circular economy.

These examples demonstrate how projects can influence planning and governance across Euro-Mediterranean territories and contribute to broader strategic frameworks.

For instance, MPA4CHANGE has attracted the attention of the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR) and the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM):

‘The CPMR recognised alignment with the objectives of its Bologna Charter, while the UfM identified an opportunity to integrate marine protected areas on the southern shore of the Mediterranean into our approach,’ conclude Nicolas Espitalier and Joaquim Garrabou.