For twenty years, Interreg programs have been a driving force for cross-border cooperation between Tunisia and the European Union, turning shared Mediterranean challenges into joint solutions.
This milestone was celebrated on January 28, 2026, in Tunis, during an event marking the launch of new Interreg cooperation projects with Tunisia.
Since joining EU-funded cross-border cooperation programs in 2007, Tunisia has become a key Interreg partner. Through the Italy-Tunisia and Mediterranean Basin (2021–2027) programs, cooperation has steadily intensified, strengthening institutional dialogue, promoting territorial development, and producing tangible results on the ground.
The two Interreg programs allocate €300 million in EU funding to bilateral and multilateral cooperation with Tunisia and neighboring partner countries.
Today, Interreg is a pillar of EU-Tunisia cooperation. Tunisia participates in 68 projects, bringing together over 75 Tunisian partners, making it the most active country in terms of participation.
These initiatives address Tunisia’s and the region’s strategic priorities, including green and digital transition, energy efficiency, social inclusion, health, innovation, and local economic development.
The high-level meeting was jointly organized by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy and program authorities, with support from the Tunisian Ministry of Economy and Planning, the EU Delegation in Tunisia, and the Interreg TESIM support mechanism.
More than 350 participants, including representatives from Tunisian and European institutions, ambassadors, and project leaders, gathered to discuss Interreg’s impact.
The event opened with an online address by Raffaele Fitto, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Cohesion and Reforms.
By delivering concrete results and fostering sustainable partnerships, Interreg continues to shape a smarter, greener and more inclusive Mediterranean, while laying the groundwork for ambitious cooperation during the 2028–2034 programming period.
Priority areas:
Interreg NEXT MED is a transnational EU cooperation program connecting 15 countries in the Euro-Mediterranean space. With a budget of €292 million, it supports joint projects in key areas such as climate change adaptation, innovation, inclusion, SME development, training, health, and local governance. The program is managed by the Autonomous Region of Sardinia (Italy).
Interreg NEXT Italy–Tunisia aims to strengthen cross-border cooperation between Sicily (9 provinces) and Tunisia to address shared socio-economic and environmental challenges. With a budget of €35 million, it supports actions in innovation, competitiveness, green transition, tourism, and cultural development. The program is managed by the Region of Sicily (Italy).
The Interreg NEXT programs are implemented under the EU Interreg initiative, supervised by the European Commission’s DG REGIO.
