Introduction

LASERMed 2026 aims to promote Mediterranean municipalities as key agents of local socio-economic development through strengthened local governance, with a focus on environmental transition and job creation for vulnerable populations.

This edition focuses on the launch of a call for proposals that aims to identify new socio-economic pilot projects and support the municipalities in the development of such projects through knowledge exchange activities.

In addition, the project will strengthen the capacities of Agadir and Zgharta Ehden through the support of sustainable economic projects for vulnerable groups.

Specific objective

1. To strengthen the role of Mediterranean municipalities as drivers of territorial promotion and socially and environmentally responsible local economic development.

Main actions and expected results

The project aims to position Mediterranean municipalities as key actors in sustainable and socially responsible territorial development. To achieve this, the project will:

• Support sustainable economic projects for vulnerable groups in Agadir and Zgharta Ehden:
  The initiative will continue supporting vulnerable groups in 2 cities through technical trainings in activities that generate income for vulnerable groups and the provision of equipment to support the professionalization of the targeted groups.
• Launch a call for proposals aiming at identifying economic inclusive and green pilot projects:
  On the basis of an analysis collecting the interests and priorities of both the municipalities of the province of Barcelona and of the 4 targeted countries – namely Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco and Türkiye – the project will launch a call for proposals to identify inclusive and green pilot projects.
• Promote knowledge exchange and create synergies between municipalities:
  Based on the results of the call for proposals, 4 cities will be invited to participate in a study visit that will be organized in the province of Barcelona, with the aim to exchange best practices and foster a Mediterranean intermunicipal cooperation. Other products will be created to capitalize on the results of the project.

MedCities’ role

MedCities will act as the coordinating entity of the action and will be responsible for the piloting and regular monitoring of the technical, financial, and administrative implementation of the project, as well as its monitoring and reporting following the appropriate procedures, guaranteeing smooth and effective communication with the financing entity. MedCities will also guarantee the mobilization of the actors associated with the project and will inform the services of the Provincial Council (Diputació de Barcelona) in case of deviations and/or important issues that affect the progress of the project.

SDGs aligned

LASEMed 2026 is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, in particular:

Target 12.9 Support developing countries to strengthen their scientific and technological capacity to move towards more sustainable patterns of consumption and production.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

Target 8.3: Promote policies that support entrepreneurship, decent job creation, and the growth of micro and small enterprises.

Target 8.4: Improve global resource efficiency and promote sustainable economic growth.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

Target 10.2: Empower all individuals and promote their social, economic, and political inclusion, regardless of age, gender, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic status.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

Target 12.9 Support developing countries to strengthen their scientific and technological capacity to move towards more sustainable patterns of consumption and production.