Call for Expressions of Interest - European Project Promoters for Trans-Mediterranean Renewable Energy and Clean Tech Cooperation Initiative (T-MED)

1. Purpose of the Call

In today’s evolving global landscape, the European Commission recognises the private sector as a vital driver of socio-economic development and sustainable growth. As part of our objectives under the Pact for the Mediterranean and the Global Gateway strategy, we aim to foster dynamic collaboration with European ^[1] private companies in alignment DG MENA’s strategic areas of interest, such as renewable energy and clean tech. 

The EU's Trans-Mediterranean Renewable Energy and Clean Tech Cooperation Initiative (T-MED) offers a unique opportunity for cooperation between the EU and its partners in the Southern Mediterranean, including North Africa, the Middle East, and the Gulf. These regions hold some of the world's best conditions for cost-competitive renewable electricity and hydrogen production, presenting significant opportunities for investment and growth.

Through recent strategic comprehensive partnerships, the EU and its Southern Mediterranean partners have underscored the geostrategic importance of their cooperation for stability and peace in the Euro-Mediterranean region. Built on principles of equity, mutual respect, and trust, these partnerships address common strategic interests such as climate change, economic development, and security, supported by enhanced financial and policy cooperation from the EU.

The EU sees the transition to renewable energy as a key priority and opportunity for the Southern Mediterranean region, with immense potential for the deployment of renewables. Renewable energy is a catalyst for sustainable growth and socio-economic development in this region, benefiting consumers and driving industrial development.

To operationalise this initiative, the European Commission is setting up the T-MED Investment Platform —a new coordination mechanism aimed at identifying high-impact private investments, facilitating access to finance, and connecting project promoters with EU institutions and partner financial institutions. 

This first Call for Expressions of Interest invites EU/EEA-based private sector actors to submit proposals for concrete investment projects in renewable energy and clean tech across the Southern Mediterranean. The objective is to: 

• Build a strong pipeline of bankable and impactful investment proposals;
• Understand existing project constraints or needs;
• Identify opportunities for potential facilitation or dialogue with financial partners.

This Call is not a formal funding mechanism and does not entail any financial commitment from the European Commission or its partners. Participation does not create any form of partnership, joint venture, or any other legal relationship between the Applicant and the European Commission. It does not constitute any guarantee of financial support neither from the European Commission nor any partner Financial Institutions. The publication of this Call for Expressions of Interest also does not commit the EU to finance the project investment proposal. 

All project proposals presented to the European Commission will be reviewed equally and fairly, based on the information provided and the criteria outlined in this Call. Submissions will be treated confidentially and used solely to assess the potential for alignment with the T-MED initiative and broader EU objectives.  

The priority areas of the Call will be based on the Trans-Mediterranean Renewable Energy and Clean Tech Cooperation initiative, outlining key sectors requiring investment and cooperation, including:

• Renewable energy development, particularly solar and wind power, to support the transition to a low-carbon economy and increase energy security in the region.
• Energy transmission and distribution systems, including (smart) grids, interconnectors, and storage solutions, control and dispatch centres to facilitate the integration of renewable energy sources and ensure reliable energy supply.
• Clean tech manufacturing, including the production of clean technologies^[2]such as solar panels, wind turbines, and hydrogen fuel cells, to support the development of a low-carbon economy and create jobs in the region.
• Hydrogen production, transportation, and use, including the development of infrastructure for hydrogen production, transportation, and storage, to support the transition to a low-carbon economy and increase energy security in the region.

This Call represents the first step in building a robust pipeline of impactful private investments that contribute to climate action, industrial growth, and regional stability. We look forward to receiving your proposals and advancing this strategic cooperation under the T-MED initiative.

([1])    This Call for Expressions of Interest is open to companies established in the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA), hereafter referred to as the EEA.

([2])    Annex of Regulation (EU) 2024/1735 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2024 on establishing a framework of measures for strengthening Europe’s net-zero technology manufacturing ecosystem: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32024R1735#anx_1

2. Eligibility criteria for project proposals

To ensure a structured and transparent internal assessment, the following criteria will be used for reviewing the eligibility of project proposals: 

• Geographic Area: The project must be located and implemented in one or more of the following countries: Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine ^[1], Syria, and Tunisia.
• Private Sector: Eligible Applicants to the Call shall be private enterprises, joint venture or consortium of companies, possessing a valid VAT registration number and Transparency Registration number or application submitted to obtain a Transparency Registration number. Entities listed in the Early Detection and Exclusion System (EDES) ^[2] database are excluded from this Call for Expressions of Interest. If the project is conducted by a consortium, the consortium leader must be based in the EU or EEA.
• Nationality of Private Entity: EU/EEA-based businesses (companies possessing their real legal seat/legal incorporation in one of the EU Member States/EEA countries). For the avoidance of doubt, ‘real legal seat’ must be understood as the place where its managing board and central administration, or its principal place of business, are located. Any non-EU/EEA based applicant would have to be in a consortium with one or more EU based companies playing a significant role.
• Alignment with Policy Priorities: Projects should promote renewable energy development (green molecules or electron), energy transmission systems (including (smart) grids, hydrogen-ready pipelines, and other infrastructure), and/or foster clean technology development in the EU’s Southern Mediterranean outlined in the Purpose of this Call.
• Minimum Investment Size: Projects must meet a specified minimum investment threshold, including a total size of investment project at EUR 300 million for renewable energy development, energy transmission project, and clean tech project, and an equity/own resources participation by the project promoter of at least 20% of the total cost of the investment project.

([1])    This designation shall not be construed as recognition of a State of Palestine and is without prejudice to the individual positions of the Member States on this issue.

([2])    EDES - European Commission.

3. Guidance for project submission

To help us assess your proposal and understand how it contributes to the objectives of the T-MED initiative, we ask applicants to include the following elements in their submission. These reflect the key areas we will consider when reviewing your project:

Strategic Alignment

• Alignment with EU policy objectives ^[1] and priority areas (ref. point 2 above) for investments in the countries mentioned in the Geographic Scope.
• Alignment with the EU’s broader objectives on economic security ^[2], including the resilience of supply chains, the security of critical infrastructure, and the strengthening of competitive and sustainable clean tech value chains, in line with EU strategies. Include information on the origin of technology to be used and of the expected EU added value in the project.
• Alignment with the national development objectives of partner countries.
• Compliance with EU standards, including the Do No Significant Harm Principle. 

Impact 

• Contribution to the green transition and socio-economic development.
• Potential for replicability and scalability.
• Potential for regional integration and cross-border impact.
• Innovation features and added value, including technological, financial, or operational novelty.
• Market assessment and evidence of addressing market failures.
• Human capital development through cooperation with local Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) or high educations institutions (e.g. public-private partnerships).
• Local employment targets, notably:
  • Estimated direct and indirect job creation.
  • Gender-sensitive and youth-focused employment strategies.
  • Fair labour conditions aligned with ILO core standards.
  • Integration of local SMEs into the value chain. 

Financial Readiness

• Applicant’s track record in similar sectors and/or geographies.
• Capacity of the applicant to mobilise private capital to finance the proposed investment. Include information on possible or expected financial support from other public / private entities.
• Overview of investment needs, plans, reflecting scale and scope.
• Maturity level of the project.
• Evidence of equity contribution covering at least 20% of total project cost.

Environmental Sustainability

• Environmental and climate resilience aspects (e.g. efficient land/water use, biodiversity protection, adaptation needs).
• Alignment with international Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards or certifications (e.g. EU Taxonomy, ISO 14001, IFC Performance Standards).
• Commitment to obtain relevant certifications within a clear timeframe, if not already in place. 

([1])    Annex V of Regulation (EU) 2021/947 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 June 2021 establishing the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A32021R0947#anx_V

([2])    European economic security strategy: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:52025JC0977

4. Submission of projects

Interested companies are invited to submit their project proposals through the designated EU Survey tool. The following supporting documents, which are necessary for the internal assessment, should be sent to MENA-TMEDec [dot] europa [dot] eu (MENA-TMED[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu). Each proposal should include the documents listed below: 

1. EU Transparency Register number or Application submitted to obtain the EU Transparency Register number, and VAT.
2. A project fiche (max. 8 pages) - template enclosed in the EU survey, detailing the key elements mentioned in point 3 of this Call.
3. A consolidated visual “project pitch” can also be submitted (preferably in .pdf format) to the functional mailbox above.
4. The Declaration on Honour on exclusion criteria and selection criteria enclosed in the EU Survey.

Proposals, all correspondence, and documents related to this Call exchanged between Applicants and DG MENA must be written in English.

5. Timeline

The submission form portal is open until 15 August at 12:00, Brussels time. 

Depending on the number and scope of submissions received, the portal may be reopened for subsequent phases of submission. 

Participants may submit requests for clarification regarding this Call for Expressions of Interest in writing to MENA-TMEDec [dot] europa [dot] eu (MENA-TMED[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu) up to 10 days prior to the date of closure of the call. Clarifications will be published on this page. The Commission reserves the right to update the Call for Expression of Interest and its documents on the basis of the received requests of clarification. 

Eligible Applicants will receive feedback on the policy alignment of their proposal within 45 working days following the Call's closing date. The European Commission will provide information about the outcome of the internal assessment process and may subsequently facilitate contact with partner Financial Institutions.

Applicants will be notified of the outcome of this internal assessment by e-mail. The notification will be sent to the e-mail address provided in the EU survey. It is the Applicant’s responsibility to provide a valid e-mail address and to check it regularly.

6. Disclaimer

We recall that all documents in the possession of the Commission may be subject of a request for access to documents ^[1]. However, it is established practice to always consult the author document regarding the possibility of an eventual disclosure. DG MENA may refuse to provide access to the submitted information, the disclosure of which would undermine the protection of commercial interests of the company, including intellectual property. 

We encourage Participants to clearly mark and explain which information they consider confidential. Please note that general statements claiming confidentiality for the entire proposal or substantial parts of it will not be considered. The EU reserves the right to make its own assessment of the confidential nature of any information contained in the proposal, always after consultation with its author.

Personal data will be processed in accordance with the applicable data protection rules and the Privacy Statement, which is available in the EU Survey.

([1])    Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 of the European Parliament and the Council regarding public access to European Parliament, Council and Commission documents: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/en/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32001R1049 

7. Ethics clauses and code of conduct

Participants must not be affected by any conflict of interest and must have no equivalent relation in that respect with other Participants or parties involved in the project. Participants and their personnel must comply with human rights as well as environmental legislation and core labour standards. Participants shall comply with all applicable laws and regulations and codes relating to anti-bribery and anti-corruption.