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
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!
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
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.
CLOSURE OF THE INTERREG MAC 2014-2020 PROGRAMME
The authorities of the INTERREG MAC 2014-2020 programme (Management, Certification and Audit) have submitted the programme closure documents on time, in compliance with the European Commission's guidelines on the closure of programmes for the 2014-2020 period.
The amount certified to the European Commission by the Interreg MAC 2014-2020 programme totalled €129.83 million, representing a financial execution of 91.28% of the total amount of the programme.
A total of 122 projects have been implemented in the two calls for proposals, including the HEXAGONE strategic project.
The strategic axis with the highest number of projects, in line with the financial allocation per axis of the programme, was Axis 1 on R&D&I, where a total of 33 projects were developed. This is followed by Axis 2, focused on improving business competitiveness, with 29 projects, and Axis 4, aimed at environmental protection and efficient use of resources, with 28 projects. Within the framework of Axis 3, aimed at combating climate change and risk prevention and management, 18 projects have been implemented. Finally, a total of 14 projects have been carried out under Axis 5, aimed at improving institutional capacity and the efficiency of public administration.
It is worth noting the high level of participation by entities from African third countries, particularly Cape Verde, which is involved in 76% of the projects, followed by Senegal (38%) and Mauritania (31%). The high degree of transnationality of the projects is also particularly noteworthy: 84% of the projects had partners from African countries in their partnerships.
These results demonstrate the success of the INTERREG MAC 2014-2020 Programme, as well as the excellent work carried out by all those involved, both project managers and programme management bodies, whose coordination and commitment have been fundamental to the achievement of the objectives set.
118 PROJECTS SUBMITTED TO THE 3rd CALL FOR PROPOSALS
A total of 118 projects have been submitted to the 3rd call for projects under the Interreg MAC programme, requesting more than 272 million euros of ERDF funding (more than 5 times more than the available funding).
A total of 426 different entities participate in the projects, 270 from the European part of the cooperation area (MAC) and 156 entities from the 7 African partner countries.
| Nº entities* | Nº projects | |
| Madeira | 45 | 100 |
| Azores | 54 | 86 |
| Canary Islands | 171 | 115 |
| Cape Verde | 41 | 101 |
| Ivory Coast | 17 | 35 |
| Gambia | 12 | 16 |
| Ghana | 15 | 30 |
| Mauritania | 28 | 40 |
| Senegal | 30 | 58 |
| St. Tomé and Príncipe | 13 | 28 |
| Total | 426 | 118 |
| Entities without duplicates and without associated participants | ||
The majority of the 118 projects were submitted under Priority 1 SMART MAC (49%), followed by Priority 2 GREEN MAC (47%) and finally Priority 4 MOBILITY MAC (4%).
| PRIORITY | Nº projects presented | FEDER available | FEDER requested | % requested vs available |
| P1 – Smart MAC | 58 | 25.456.916 | 136.969.376 | 538% |
| P2 – Green MAC | 55 | 24.712.535 | 128.355.930 | 519% |
| P4 – Mobility MAC | 5 | 3.089.579 | 6.819.559 | 221% |
| TOTAL | 118 | 53.259.030 | 272.144.866 | 511% |
The average budget for the projects submitted is €2.7 million, and the average number of partners per project is 11 entities.The admissibility criteria of the projects submitted are being analysed. Those that are
admissible will proceed to the evaluation phase and those that do not meet any of the
admissibility conditions will be excluded. The Lead Partners will be informed accordingly.