Cross-border Programme 2021-2027 Albania and Kosovo

In line with the objectives specified in the programme document, the global objective of this call for proposals is: To promote good neighbourly relations, foster Union integration and contribute to social, economic and territorial development of the programme cross-border area by improving environment protection and preservation of resources, and developing sustainable nature-and-culture tourism.

As a result of a decision made by the JMC of the programme on 6 June 2025, out of the two thematic priorities of the programme document,

• Priority 1: Protecting the environment, promoting climate change adaptation and mitigation, risk prevention and management
• Priority 2: Encouraging tourism and promoting cultural and natural heritage

the following are the specific objectives and the corresponding results that the applications submitted under this call will contribute to attaining:

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES	RESULTS
Valorisation, protection, and preservation of environmental resources in the cross-border territory	The cross-border region’s capacity to protect its environment and promote biodiversity is increased
	The cross-border region can respond effectively to natural and manmade disasters
Development of sustainable, nature-and-culture tourism contributes more to cross border economic development	New eco-friendly higher quality and integrated cross border tourist products, services and infrastructure developed and improved
	Natural and cultural heritage sites are better promoted and developed

Mainstreaming of cross-cutting issues:

This call for proposals will consider the mainstreaming of cross-cutting issues at project level. When developing a project to address any of the specific objectives of the call, cross-cutting issues need to be mainstreamed in the following manner:

1. Improved capacity of local and regional authorities to tackle local challenges

To mainstream the thematic cluster 5 as stipulated in the Commission Implementing Decision C(2021)8914 of 10.12.2021 adopting the Instrument of Pre-accession Assistance (IPA III) Programming Framework for the period 2021-2027, every application should demonstrate that regional and local authorities have been involved in their development and their future implementation. Every operation should describe how it has been developed, how it is aligned to and contributes to local development plans or how its implementation will be monitored and evaluated.

• Gender equality and promotion of equal opportunities

Equality between sexes must be taken into consideration when setting the project objectives, defining activities (e.g. participation in capacity building activities) and expected results. Equal opportunity prevails when women and men have the same rights, obligations and opportunities.

• Protection and promotion of ethnic minority rights, including their participation in decision making processes.

Enforcement of equal opportunities must be secured in the project design in order to promote the integration of ethnic minorities and ensure their participation in decision-making processes in line with project activities and expected results.

• Integration of people with physical and mental disabilities

Enforcement of equal opportunities must be secured in the project to promote integration of people affected by disabilities and in securing their participation in project activities (e.g. accessibility to buildings and project sites) and in decision-making processes in line with project activities and expected results.

• Safeguard and promotion of children’s rights and promotion of children’s participation in decision-making processes

The project should involve children as relevant stakeholders where and if appropriate (e.g. in case the specific project objective is in a sector mainly relating to children’s needs, such as education, health, sports and culture, but also in sectors in which the project can indirectly influence their lives).

• Democratic standards, anti-discriminatory practices and good governance

Activities and operations cannot set up barriers in relation to religion or belief, age, gender, sexual orientation, political affiliation, racial or ethnic origin particularly regarding employment and HR policy pursued towards persons who will be employed within the projects implemented under this grant scheme. Actions must secure a wide public participation and consultation, where appropriate, throughout project activities. This may include setting up consultative processes in developing strategies/policies; executing infrastructural works; ensuring inclusion of target groups and a wide range of different stakeholders.

• Protection of environment and preservation of natural resources and biodiversity

The project needs to describe how it will contribute to a better environment or otherwise have a neutral impact on the environment. The concept of environment involves not only issues of pollution, but issues of sustainable development (e.g. waste supply chain management and recycling), nature protection and biodiversity, renewable energy, etc.

Learn more here: EU Funding & Tenders Portal