Recognising the urgent need for the promotion of cross-Mediterranean dialogue and co-operation, the European Union and the 35 member countries of the Euro-Med Partnership created a specific instrument specifically for this purpose. The Alexandria-based Anna Lindh Euro-Mediterranean Foundation for the Dialogue between Cultures (ALF) is the first EU institution on the southern shore of the Mediterranean. The ALF stimulates and facilitates genuine co-operation between independent operators in the broad field of culture, including the arts, education and media.

In order to be connected to the independent cultural sector in the whole region, ALF has initiated the establishment of national networks in its 35 partner countries. A potential member can be an organisation or an individual person and must have experience of trans-national, cross-Mediterranean cultural co-operation or be able to demonstrate a strong interest in this. The network is open to new members.

The Peace Institute - Institute for Contemporary Social and Political Studies is co-ordinator for the Anna Lindh network in Slovenia.