UPCOMING CALL FOR PROJECTS WITH COMBINED ERDF-IVCDCI FUNDING
On 15 June, the 4th call for proposals under the INTERREG MAC Programme will open for the submission of projects with combined funding from the ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) and the IVCDCI (Instrument for Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation).
In order to achieve the programme’s objectives, each project will have an ERDF component and an IVCDCI component with separate grant agreements, but which are interconnected and share the same Lead Beneficiary.
The actions will be subject to the provisions of European regulations relating to the Structural Funds for the ERDF component and to the provisions of European regulations relating to the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument, as well as to the provisions of the Contribution Agreement and its annexes for the IVCDCI component.
The ERDF funding allocated to the call amounts to €10.000.000 and the IVCDCI funding to €9.300.000.
Each application must demonstrate its contribution to climate resilience and job creation and fall within the Specific Objectives of Priorities 1 (Smart MAC) and 2 (Green MAC) of the MAC Programme.
The terms and conditions of the call for proposals and the eligibility and selection criteria for projects are now published in the Calls/4th Call section of the programme’s website.
An Information Session on this call will be held on 17 June (11:00 Lisboa), with interpretation into the programme’s four languages (Spanish, Portuguese, French and English).
Link to the information session: https://zoom.us/j/98953823686?pwd=u9MWFSujbrLeWZ43QJ68pXX8MvTKln.1
#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.
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!
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 |