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. (EXTENDED UNTIL 31 JULY!)
Further information is available at the following link:
European Fund Awards | Make your project a European star!
PRESENTATIONS AND RECORDING FROM THE TECHNICAL SEMINAR ON FINANCIAL AMENDMENTS NOW AVAILABLE
The presentations and recording of the Technical Seminar on the Financial Amendments introduced to the Eligibility Rules, Technical Data Sheets and Financial Management Manual, held online on 17 April 2026, are available via the following links:
- Presentation (Spanish): Presentación Jornada técnica Modificaciones financieras
- Presentation (Portuguese): Apresentação Jornada técnica Alterações financeiras
- Recording link: https://youtu.be/TeiJ3CPDsis
JOB VACANCIES AT THE JOINT SECRETARIAT
The recruitment process for staff at the Joint Secretariat of the Interreg MAC Programme 2021–2027 is now open.
The positions available are as follows:
- ERDF/IVCDCI Project Management Officer
- Financial Management Officer
- Project Management Officer
- Communication Officer
The deadline for submitting applications is fifteen (15) calendar days from the day following the publication of the call for applications in the Official Gazette of the Canary Islands. The deadline will close at 23:59 on the final day.
Download: Bases del proceso de selección
Link: https://proexca.es/trabaja-con-nosotros/
ONLINE TECHNICAL SEMINAR APRIL 2026
The Interreg MAC 2021-2027 programme has organised an online session on Friday 17 April to address queries regarding the financial amendments introduced to the Eligibility Rules, Technical Data Sheets and Financial Management Manual, aimed at ERDF beneficiary partners from the 1st and 2nd calls for proposals.
Spanish-Portuguese interpretation will be provided.
No prior registration is required.
The link to join via Zoom is as follows:
Time: 17 Apr 2026 10:00 Lisbon (1 hour earlier in the Azores)
https://zoom.us/j/98764892863?pwd=qKN49bjVwcRGsa37xFuZyZoxPBWobs.1
Meeting ID: 987 6489 2863
Access code: 062164
IMPORTANT: CHANGES TO INTERREG MAC PROJECT MANAGEMENT DOCUMENTS
Please be advised that the following documents have been updated:
- Financial Management Manual
- Eligibility Rules for Expenditure
- Technical Data Sheets:
- Sheet 1: Personnel Costs
- Sheet 4: External Services and Consultancy Costs
- Annex I: Partner Declaration_ State Aid (new)
- Annex II: Company declaration_ State aid (new)
- Sheet 5: Equipment expenses
- Sheet 6: Expenditure on infrastructure and works
- Project modification guide
The new versions of these documents have been published in the ‘Documentation’ section with the changes highlighted in yellow.
All the changes made apply to expenses incurred during the tax return period, which is currently open and ends on 30 April.
PRESENTATIONS AND RECORDINGS FROM THE TECHNICAL WORKSHOPS ON FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT NOW AVAILABLE
The presentations and recordings from the technical workshops on financial management—aimed at improving the quality of Statements of Expenditure Paid—are now available via the links below. These workshops were held online in the programme’s three European regions:
| Región | Date | Presentations | Recording |
| Azores | 10/03/2026 | Presentation Azores | https://youtu.be/Mx1INTlQnlo |
| Canary islands | 12/03/2026 | Presentation Canary | https://youtu.be/7xqL6v05S-A |
| Madeira | 16/03/2026 | Presentation Madeira | https://youtu.be/172V6Iie5Rg |
ONLINE TECHNICAL CONFERENCE MARCH 2026
The Interreg MAC 2021-2027 programme will hold an online technical conference this March with the aim of improving the quality of ERDF partners' expenditure declarations.
They will be delivered by the Regional Controllers with the support of the Joint Secretariat, specifically for partners in the three European regions:
- 10/03/26 (10:00 local time), partners from the Azores:
https://zoom.us/j/96649774704?pwd=6tw4lweYZTjR8qAdbcYRvRWPKKaP92.1
- 12/03/26 (10:00 local time), partners from the Canary Islands:
https://zoom.us/j/97782780218?pwd=aGjLNGbMdBbvnxoTVIDrv42r9G8DUu.1
- 16/03/26 (10:00 local time), partners from Madeira:
https://zoom.us/j/93387116040?pwd=ZQwFk3bxrKMxwbpoacqBxAV52PxAPr.1
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT EVERYONE INVOLVED IN THE EXPENSE REPORTING PROCESS ATTENDS.
ADVANCE NOTICE OF THE NEXT EXPENSE DECLARATION PERIOD
We would like to inform you of the advance notice of the next mandatory period for declaring your expenses within the framework of approved projects.
All expenses paid from 1 September 2025 to 31 March 2026 must be declared in the month of April (instead of May).
This deadline applies to both the 1st call and the 2nd call (capitalisation) projects.
The decision has been taken by the programme's management and control bodies for strategic reasons with a view to complying with the N+3 rule in 2026.
We will shortly be amending the Financial Management Manual in this regard, which will include other changes that we will detail for you.