Interreg Greece – Italy

Programme Thematic Objectives

• A smarter Europe – innovative and smart economic transformation

  RSO 1.1 Developing and enhancing research and innovation capacities and the uptake of advanced technologies

  • Innovation Action Plan

    Needs:
    Elevate innovation in sectors like the blue economy; support small businesses.
    Actions:
    Facilitate cross-border collaborations for knowledge sharing and technology adoption.
    Focus Areas:
    - Blue economy
    - Tourism
    - Creative industries
    - Green tech
    - Digitalisation
    Outcomes:
    Strengthen research and increase small business competitiveness.
    Implementation:
    Ensure complementary actions with cross-border emphasis.

  RSO 1.2 Reaping the benefits of digitisation for citizens, companies, research organisations and public authorities

  • Digital Boost Plan

    Needs:
    Adopt digital tools in banking, government, and business.
    Actions:
    - Foster cross-border collaboration.
    - Apply digital tech in tourism, creative industries, agriculture.
    - Promote e-learning, e-health, data collection.
    Outcomes:
    Strengthen digital skills for a smarter, competitive economy.
    Implementation:
    Align actions for cross-border benefits, considering maritime aspects and broader European goals.

  RSO 1.3 Enhancing sustainable growth and competitiveness of SMEs and job creation in SMEs, including by productive investments

  • Boosting Start-ups & SMEs

    Needs:
    Programme Area seeks growth in start-ups and key sectors like tourism.
    Actions:
    Support cross-border collaboration among SMEs and entrepreneurs; create knowledge-sharing clusters; focus on smart tech.
    Sectors:
    - Tourism
    - Creative industries
    - Green economy
    - Digital tech
    Outcomes:
    Stronger, smarter SMEs with better access to finance and knowledge-sharing networks.

• A greener, low-carbon Europe

  RSO 2.4 Promoting climate change adaptation and disaster risk prevention and resilience, taking into account eco-system based approaches

  • Tackling Climate Change Together

    Needs:
    The Programme area is sensitive to climate change, with risks such as storms, droughts, fires, and floods.
    Actions:
    - Develop early warning systems and disaster management plans.
    - Create networks for knowledge exchange on climate change and innovative solutions.
    - Encourage awareness and education on climate change.
    - Align actions with EU Green Deal and local policies.
    - Capitalise on past successful projects.
    Benefits:
    - Enhanced ability to adapt and respond to climate changes.
    - Shared knowledge and best practices.
    - Improved ecological resilience and risk management.
    Examples:
    - Implementing pilot actions for civil protection.
    - Integrating climate change in water management strategies.
    - Developing joint governance plans for climate change adaptation.

  RSO 2.6 Circular economy

  • Joining Forces for a Circular Economy

    Needs:
    Our area faces waste management challenges.
    What We’re Doing:
    We’re teaming up across borders to boost the circular economy. This includes educating people, developing tools, and changing behaviours, with a focus on coastal regions.
    Focus Areas:
    Tourism, agro-food, blue/green economy, ports, and waste management.
    Examples:
    - Sharing knowledge on eco-friendly opportunities.
    - Creating methods to implement marine technologies.
    - Improving waste policies and marine litter monitoring.
    The Goal:
    Reduce waste, recycle more, and embrace innovative green practices.

  RSO 2.7 Biodiversity and green infrastructure

  • Protecting Natural Habitats Together

    Needs:
    Our area’s natural habitats are rich but vulnerable due to climate change and air pollution. We need to safeguard them.
    Our Plan:
    We're uniting across borders to bolster sustainable development and protect biodiversity, which helps combat climate change. Focus will be on coastal ecosystems.
    Action Areas:
    - Tourism
    - Blue & green economy
    - Agro-food industry
    - Behavioural change
    What We'll Do:
    - Develop joint strategies for conserving and restoring ecosystems.
    - Manage natural resources collectively, focusing on pollution reduction.
    - Create environmental action plans for pollution prevention.
    - Implement joint plans for coastal and marine areas.
    - Share and access biodiversity data.
    - Develop Green/Blue corridors to protect natural habitats.
    Our Goals:
    Enhance preservation of natural habitats, strengthen collaboration, and contribute to the region’s green transformation.

• A more social Europe implementing the European Pillar of Social Rights

  RSO 4.2 Improving equal access education, training and lifelong

  • Empowering Communities Through Education and Jobs

    Needs:
    Stagnant population, ageing demographic, and high unemployment.
    Focus:
    Access to education, skills development (digital, career, and green skills), and maritime sector opportunities.
    Actions:
    - Develop cross-border partnerships for job access, especially for women, youth, and migrants.
    - Create support schemes for finance and information.
    - Launch e-learning platforms and networks.
    Goals:
    Boost education, skill development, and employment to build resilient, thriving communities.

  RSO 4.5 Ensuring equal access to health care and fostering resilience of health systems

  • Strengthening Health in GR-IT Area
    Need:
    The pandemic revealed gaps in healthcare and digital technology in the GR-IT region.
    Action:
    Enhance cooperation to fortify health services and integrate digital tools.
    Outcome:
    Robust, accessible healthcare with better response to crises.

  RSO 4.6 Enhancing the role of culture and sustainable tourism

  • Boosting Sustainable Tourism in GR-IT Region

    Need:
    The GR-IT area's tourism and culture sectors need bolstering for a sustainable and inclusive transition.
    Action:
    - Promote sustainable tourism by focusing on culture.
    - Develop digital and green solutions for resilience.
    - Support skills development and innovation in tourism and cultural industries.
    - Foster sustainable cultural routes and heritage sites.
    - Encourage environmental responsibility at cultural events.
    Value Added:
    - Enhance regional appeal through culture.
    - Foster cross-border collaboration.
    - Support sustainability and diversity in tourism.
    Expected Outcomes:
    - Strengthened tourism and culture sectors.
    - Sustainable and inclusive growth in the GR-IT area.
    - Enhanced use of technology for sustainability measures.

• A better cooperation governance

  RSO 6.1 Enhance the institutional capacity of public authorities

  • Boosting Public Authority Efficiency in GR-IT Area

    Need:
    Public authorities in the GR-IT region need enhanced collaboration, streamlined procedures, and capacity building to overcome administrative and cultural differences.
    Actions:
    - Simplify administrative processes and tackle language barriers.
    - Enhance public authority coordination across borders, including maritime aspects.
    - Involve citizens in decision-making.
    Benefits:
    - Adopt best practices for efficient governance.
    - Strengthened collaboration and capacity building.
    Examples:
    - Streamline administrative procedures.
    - Develop joint maritime spatial plans.
    - Foster citizen participation in cross-border issues.

  RSO 6.4 Enhance institutional capacity of public authorities and stakeholders to implement macro-regional strategies and sea-basin strategies, as well as other territorial strategies

  • Greening the GR-IT Area

    Need:
    Link eco-friendly initiatives with regional priorities in the GR-IT area.
    Actions:
    - Boost authorities' skills in managing regional strategies.
    - Streamline cooperation within EUSAIR.
    Benefits:
    - Smoother management of joint programmes.
    Examples:
    - Create cross-border governance strategies.
    Expected Outcomes:
    - Better management and alignment with EUSAIR’s strategy.