The University of Cagliari supports the participation of its researchers in international cooperation calls promoted within various programmes, with different objectives: to strengthen relations not only with European countries, but also with numerous partner countries in the Mediterranean, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Latin America; to promote solidarity and equal relations between partners; contributing to economic development, environmental sustainability, education and social inclusion, as well as multi-level governance of the territories involved.
The technical assistance service supports the university's researchers with various activities in the following stages of participation in calls for proposals:
Pre-award: support to a correct interpretation of calls for proposals, including through mediation with the Managing Authorities of the various programmes, to ask questions and request clarifications; preparation or revision of specific parts of the project proposal and budget; establishing of the partnership; preparation of the mandatory administrative documentation for the submission of projects, in compliance with the requirements established by the calls for proposals;
Post-award: fulfilment of initial formalities related to the launch of projects eligible for funding, including the process of signing the agreement or contract and the preparation and signing of the partnership agreement; proper management of funding, in particular with regard to the allocation of expenses to the various cost categories, amendments to the agreement or contract, preparation of periodic and final reports, as well as participation in monitoring/review meetings organised by the funding bodies to verify the progress of activities and expenditure;
Monitoring: preparation of technical responses to requests for revision and/or integration of technical-scientific or financial reports after the end of the project, in order to ensure the eligibility of the expenses incurred; preparation of the necessary documentation for and, where possible, co-participation in person or remotely in audits requested by the Managing Authorities, the European Commission or its delegated agencies.
International territorial cooperation programmes
Contact person
Erika Orrù
Tel: +39 070 6756284
Email: progetti_cooperazioneinternazionale@unica.it
Interreg Next Med is the European Union's tool for promoting transnational cooperation between Mediterranean countries, strengthening joint initiatives in key areas such as economic development, environmental sustainability, education and social inclusion, and multi-level governance. To achieve these objectives, the European Union has allocated €253 million, of which €230 million is for project funding and €23 million is for technical assistance.
ONGOING PROJECTS
RESWATER
Non-Conventional Water Resources for Resilient Urban Water Management
The RESWATER project aims to strengthen urban water resilience among Mediterranean partners by exploring small-scale, decentralized Non-Conventional Water Resource (NCWR) technologies that reduce reliance on traditional freshwater sources. The project will analyse urban water demand hotspots, assess future risks to water supply security (WSS), and identify trends in water availability and demand. Ultimately, it will develop resilient Urban Water Management Plans (UWMPs) to ensure sustained WSS and complement existing strategies, while fostering long-term stakeholder engagement and knowledge-sharing networks to support the sustainability of its impact.
About
In line with the objectives of the Interreg NEXT MED programme, which supports transnational cooperation across the Mediterranean Sea Basin, the RESWATER partnership, led by the Energy and Water Agency of Malta, includes four organizations from the European Union—Malta, Greece, Spain, and Italy—and three from Mediterranean Partner Countries: Türkiye, Tunisia, and Egypt.
Objectives
- The project will conduct a comprehensive assessment of urban water systems, resulting in the development of a detailed catalogue of NCWR solutions.
- Water demand and supply trends in pilot catchments will be analysed. This work will produce technical reports and a user-friendly catalogue to inform future management plans and actively engage stakeholders.
- Living Labs and a regional Community of Practice (CoP) will be established to promote knowledge exchange and foster stakeholder engagement throughout the project.
- The project will enhance technical expertise and promote best practices by designing and delivering a specialized training course. This initiative will support the adoption of NCWR technologies across the sector.
- Decentralized NCWR demonstration sites will be set up in public buildings across partner countries. These sites will showcase practical applications, collect performance data, and support cost-feasibility assessments.
- Evidence-based policy and governance recommendations will be developed to address regulatory gaps. These recommendations will help create resilient urban water supply systems and encourage the integration of NCWR solutions into urban planning and management.
Project Outcome
The project will deliver an online catalogue of decentralized NCWR solutions, establish six urban demonstration units, and develop a policy framework for resilient Urban Water Management Plans. It will also offer a regional training course (later expanded into a MOOC) and promote ongoing stakeholder engagement through local living labs and a regional Community of Practice, creating a comprehensive capacity-building platform. RESWATER’s primary beneficiaries are policymakers, researchers, municipalities, water authorities, and citizens, ensuring that its innovative approaches and best practices for resilient urban water management will benefit the Mediterranean region well beyond the project’s duration.
Project Duration
Total Duration: 36 months
Budget Allocated: €2,806,860.00 (all project partners)
University of Cagliari (Italy): € 337.700,00
External Website: https://www.interregnextmed.eu/
Interreg Italy-France Maritime 2021-2027 is a cross-border programme launched with the aim of supporting cooperation among participating regions and driving this area to be more competitive and sustainable within the European and Mediterranean landscape.
It has a budget of €193,296,077 to contribute to the implementation of projects.
The Interreg Euro-MED programme funds projects developed in cooperation between Mediterranean and cross-border countries, organised and managed by public bodies, universities, private organisations and civil society.
Partners from 69 regions in 14 countries on the northern shore of the Mediterranean are participating in the programme with the aim of creating a climate-neutral and resilient society and improving governance between the parties.
Interreg Euro-MED has a budget of approximately €294 million for the period 2021-2027.
LIFE is the European Commission's main programme dedicated to environmental protection and climate action.
Since its founding in 1992, it has invested more than £12 billion in more than 5,500 projects around the EU.
LIFE supports the development of environmental policies and projects, encompassing intricate matters like biodiversity, climate change, and natural preservation.
For the period 2021–2027, LIFE has a budget of €5,432 million.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) promotes cross-border collaboration through calls for proposals, notices and invitations addressed to public and private entities.
The Ministry of University and Research (MUR) supports scientific research collaboration through a variety of agreements and calls for proposals issued within bilateral agreements that foster bilateral cooperation between the countries involved.
Regional Law No. 19/1996 establishes rules on cooperation with developing countries and international collaboration. Through this legislative instrument, the Sardinian Region promotes and finances transnational cooperation projects aimed at achieving various objectives, including sustainable socio-economic growth; governance and democratisation in partner countries; support for the most disadvantaged populations; promotion of education and training and fostering institutional agreements.