The Government of the Azores will take part of four consortia with applications for European funding under INTERREG Europe programme for the development of projects in the field of innovation policies, business development, renewable energy and alternative fuels in maritime transport.
 
"Unlike what happens with MAC programme (Madeira-Azores-Canary Islands), which has a limited geographical scope and a pre-established financial allocation for the Region, INTERREG Europe is a cooperation programme for the entire European area and is open to all EU regions, "said the Regional Under Secretary for External Relations.
 
In this regard, Rodrigo Oliveira stressed that it is "important for the Region to diversify partnerships and take part in the applications submitted under INTERREG Europe. This is also means that we are seeking European funding that goes beyond the funds and programmes already implemented in the Region."
 
These applications, which are being analysed by the European Commission, result from partnerships established with regions and institutions from Germany, Austria, Estonia, Denmark, Greece, Netherlands, Poland, Spain and France. They total investment submitted by the Region represents 280 thousand Euros, funded at 85% by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
 
Rodrigo Oliveira stated that "the established consortia embody the goals of the Government in the search for new partnerships and funding sources for the development of projects in priority areas. Moreover, they evidence the importance of networking with other regions and, in particular, the importance of contacts, sharing of good practices and the joint work developed by the Government in interregional cooperation organisations."
 
As examples of this work, the government official pointed out the partnerships enhanced by the participation and leadership of the Region in the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Region (CPMR), namely the Commission of the Islands and the working group "Transport" as well as the case of the consortium "Islands of Innovation"; the latter includes partners from the Netherlands, Denmark, Estonia and Greece, as well as Madeira and Guadeloupe. These initiatives are intended to develop innovative and sustainable policies for European islands and the "BLUGAS4EU" project aims to promote the use of natural gas in maritime transport among from Spain, Austria, the Netherlands, Greece, Germany and Poland.
 
Under the technical and political work external cooperation developed in the Conference of Outermost Regions, the "GROW RUP" and "RESOR" projects applied to the INTERREG European project. The first is aimed at the business development and reinforcement of skills for the establishment of businesses and growth in outermost regions, while the second has the purpose of accelerating the availability of renewable and sustainable energy in these regions.
 
The application and participation of the Region is coordinated by the Presidency of the Government/Cabinet of the Regional Under Secretary of Presidency for External Relations in the "Islands of Innovation" project, by the Vice-Presidency of the Government/Regional Directorate for Employment and Vocational Training in the "GROW RUP" project, by the Regional Secretariat for Tourism and Transport/Regional Directorate for Transport in the "BLUGAS4EU" project and by the Regional Secretariat for Tourism and Transport/Regional Directorate for Energy in the "RESOR" project.
 
In addition to these applications to INTERREG Europe, the Regional Government has submitted, together with the outermost regions of Madeira and the Canary Islands and Cape Verde, Senegal and Mauritania, a joint strategic project on the agreement between the EDF (European Development Fund) and the ERDF for the promotion of cooperation with third countries under the Operational MAC Cooperation Programme (Madeira - Azores - Canaries).
 
"This consortium and the joint application of Outermost Regions and African countries that form Macaronesia are quite relevant, through its funding, to foster cooperation and reinforce the participation of partners from various sectors in the MAC programme. In the case of the Azores, it will be of great importance to boost cooperation projects, not only with Madeira and the Canary Islands but also, as is our priority, with Cape Verde," said Rodrigo Oliveira.