#EuropaSeSiente Project Competition
The General Secretariat for European Funds at the Spanish Ministry of Finance has just launched the call for entries for a new edition of the #EuropaSeSiente Project Competition. This competition, which has established itself as the ‘Oscars’ of European funds in Spain, aims once again this year to raise visibility and increase public awareness of the results and added value of European funding in Spain.
These awards are the best opportunity to highlight projects that transform neighbourhoods, change lives and demonstrate that Europe is felt in every corner of our country.
Categories:
- #EuropaSeSienteCompetitive
- #EuropaSeSienteGreen
- #EuropaSeSienteSocial
- #EuropaSeSienteConnected
- #EuropaSeSienteClose
- #EuropaTeMueve:Strategic Autonomy
The public will vote to select the three finalists in each category.
The outcome at the Annual Ceremony will combine the judgement of a technical jury (60%) with the live public vote (40%) to select the winners in each category.
For the first time, two top awards will be presented: the Jury’s Golden Star and the Audience’s Golden Star, thereby increasing the recognition and visibility of our best projects.
Calendar and key dates:
- Until 12 June: Deadline for submitting entries via the official form.
- 29 June: Official announcement of the semi-finalist projects.
- Until 31 July: Deadline for semi-finalists to submit their 3-minute short videos.
- Second half of September: Online semi-finals and public vote.
- November: Grand final as part of the 2026 Annual Event
All information and competition rules are available on the European funds portal:
Blue Challenge: Interreg Project Development Training Programme
Calling young adults (18-25) across the #Atlantic & #Mediterranean!
Apply to the #BlueChallenge Training Programme and gain hands-on skills to develop high-impact, fundable #Interreg proposals - plus a chance for major visibility at the #Atlantic-#WestMED Stakeholder Conference 2026.
The ‘Blue Challenge: Interreg Project Development Training Programme’ is a new capacity-building initiative designed to equip young talent with the skills to develop high-quality, fundable project proposals that advance the sustainable blue economy.
Aligned with the priorities of the Atlantic Sea Basin Strategy and the WestMED Initiative, the programme supports early-career students and professionals in gaining the practical tools needed to design, structure and submit strong Interreg proposals, while fostering transnational cooperation across sea basins.
Over four months, participants follow an interactive training pathway covering the full lifecycle of an Interreg project proposal – from programming and project design to budgeting, proposal writing and submission.
The course focuses on key Interreg programmes relevant to the Atlantic and Mediterranean regions, including Interreg Atlantic Area, Interreg MAC (Madeira-Azores-Canary Islands), Interreg NEXT-MED and Interreg EURO-MED.
Apply by 19 May 2026!!
Info: https://westmed-initiative.ec.europa.eu/calling-young-adults-build-impactful-fundable-interreg-project-proposals-with-the-blue-challenge-training-programme/
Registry: https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/BlueChallenge2026
EUROPE DAY: Europeans celebrate unity, values and democracy
On 9 May, Europeans will celebrate Europe Day. This year marks the 76th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, which laid the foundations for the European Union as we know it today, and led to an unprecedented era of peace, democracy, prosperity, integration and cooperation across the continent.
In 2026, Europe Day also marks two important milestones: 40 years since Portugal and Spain joined the EU, and 40 years since the first official Europe Day celebrations.
To mark the occasion, many events will take place across EU Member States and beyond, bringing together citizens from all walks of life. The EU institutions will open their doors to visitors, offering educational activities about their work, as happens every year. Landmark buildings and monuments across Europe and around the world will be illuminated in the EU colours.
In a rapidly changing world, the EU and its institutions are working to protect democracy, boost prosperity and strengthen security. Europe Day is an opportunity for citizens and their institutions to come together to celebrate their shared community and achievements.
THE MAC PROGRAMME AT THE INTERREG LEADERS’ FORUM IN BRUSSELS
The Leaders’ Forum, held in Brussels on 7 May 2026, provides opportunities to: exchange on the current developments and to reflection upon the EU’s strategic priorities for 2028-2034; proposed changes to the delivery method; as well as to reflect upon new territorial directions. The forum provides Interreg programmes with an opportunity to share their perspectives on the challenges and priorities reflected in these proposals.
This event brings together one high-level representative per Interreg programme, alongside representatives of the Presidency and the European Commission. Representing the Managing Authority of the Interreg MAC programme was Elsa Casas from the Directorate-General for European Affairs of the Government of the Canary Islands.
The forum was organised by Interact under the auspices of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2026, and the European Economic and Social Committee provided the venue for the event.
LAUNCH OF THE SECOND EDITION OF THE EUROPEAN FUNDS AWARDS
We are pleased to announce the launch of the European Funds Awards, which, in this second edition, has introduced a new category dedicated to European Territorial Cooperation (Interreg).
The ‘European Funds Awards’ is a competition aimed at promoting projects funded by the European Union in Portugal, with the aim of demonstrating the impact of projects supported by European funds on the social, economic and environmental development of the regions where they are implemented, highlighting the importance of European support.
The European Territorial Cooperation category is designed to recognise projects that contribute to addressing common challenges, sharing knowledge, developing joint innovative solutions, strengthening European integration, and demonstrating a concrete impact on the territory.
In this context, we consider it particularly relevant to promote the MAC projects, given their contribution to cooperation and the creation of networked value, which represents a unique opportunity to raise the profile of the results achieved.
The deadline for submitting applications is 17 July 2026.
Further information is available at the following link:
European Fund Awards | Make your project a European star!