NEWS FROM THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION
THE NEW INTERREG.EU IS NOW LIVE!
The new interreg.eu website aims to tell the Interreg story in a more engaging and dynamic way, showcasing the human impact of our work.
This is a big step forward in making the Interreg voice heard more loudly, especially at a time when cooperation is more important than ever.
Explore the Interreg website: www.interreg.eu
TAKE PART IN SHAPING THE NEXT EU LONG-TERM 2028-2034 BUDGET!
The Commission initial proposal for the next EU long-term budget is now available. The long-term Budget, known as the Multiannual Financial Framework, sets out the EU’s spending priorities for several years.
The Commission is now inviting all Europeans to have their say on the next budget and the policies it should support. It has started a series of public consultations that will remain open until 6 May.
You can find the links to these consultations below:
- You can now take part in shaping the next EU long-term budget – European Commission.
- EU’s next long-term budget (MFF) – implementing EU funding with Member States and regions
LAUNCH OF THE REGIOSTARS 2025 PROJECT COMPETITION
The European wide search for the best cohesion policy projects in 2025 has begun. REGIOSTARS is Europe’s label of excellence for EU-funded projects that demonstrate the impact and inclusivity of regional development.
Has your project created a positive impact locally? Was something new developed as part of it? Did it benefit your region economically, socially or environmentally? Do the results continue to show even after the project ended? Could it be rolled-out across Europe?
If “yes!”, submit your application to the REGIOSTARS contest via the application form: EU Survey REGIOSTARS application form
As in previous year, the projects compete in five categories familiar from the cohesion policy objectives. The competition categories are:
- Category 1: A COMPETITIVE AND SMART EUROPE
- Category 2: A GREEN EUROPE
- Category 3: A CONNECTED EUROPE
- Category 4: A SOCIAL AND INCLUSIVE EUROPE
- Category 5: A EUROPE CLOSER TO THE CITIZENS
The deadline for submitting applications is 20 May 2025.
More information: https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/projects/regio-stars-awards_en
INTERREG PROJECT SLAM 2024-2025: A DECADE CELEBRATING INTERREG IMPACT
The Interreg Project Slam has become a landmark event for showcasing the powerful results of Interreg projects. Since its inception in 2015, the competition has been an essential visibility tool for the Interreg community, helping to amplify the stories of cooperation and impact in the EU and the regions where these projects are implemented.
This year marks a double celebration for Interreg and the Interreg Project Slam. Interreg is proudly celebrating 35 years of fostering cooperation across borders, and the Interreg Project Slam is celebrating its 10th anniversary of showcasing the impactful results of the projects.
The impactful work of the 6 finalists showcases the diverse ways in which Interreg projects are changing lives and communities across Europe.
You can watch their stories and support your favorite project by giving it a like on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/watch/100064389384224/1576221430437141/
PRESENTATION IN MAURITANIA OF THE NEW INTERREG MAC PROJECTS
On 20 February 2025, the conference for the presentation of the projects approved in the 1st Interreg MAC (Madeira, Azores, Canary Islands) call for proposals was held in Nouakchott, Mauritania. The conference was held within the framework of the strategic project ATLANTE, approved by the Interreg MAC programme to support and boost cooperation with the programme’s African partners.
The institutional opening was attended by the President of the Government of the Canary Islands, the Spanish Ambassador, the European Union Ambassador, the Mauritanian Minister of Economy and Finance and senior officials from the Government of the Azores and the Canary Islands (Directorate General for Relations with Africa and Directorate General for European Affairs, Managing Authority of the Interreg MAC programme).
The projects were presented by representatives of the organisations responsible (main partners from the Canary Islands) together with their Mauritanian partners (universities, tourist offices, chambers of commerce, national and training institutes, etc.). The strong commitment to joint work at both the institutional and technical levels for the implementation of the projects was evident, as was the importance of the previous experience in most of the partnerships.
Nine of the ten approved projects were presented with Mauritanian partners, mainly within Priority 1 of the programme (Smart MAC) in areas such as the green and blue economy (desalination, algae, aquaculture, food security) and business competitiveness and innovation (tourism, ports, adapted training) with 2 projects also in Priority 2 (Green MAC) on renewable energies, biodiversity and green and blue infrastructures and finally a project within the framework of Priority 4 (Mobility MAC) to address the phenomenon of migration in a global manner (Observatory of mobility between the Canary Islands and Africa). The importance of the training component foreseen in most of the projects was emphasized.
