The Interreg Madeira-Açores-Canarias (MAC) 2021–2027 programme is reinforcing its role as a critical tool of the European Union’s Cohesion Policy, boosting cross-border cooperation between Europe’s outermost regions and West African nations
At a recent event in Praia, Cabo Verde took centre stage, highlighting its growing influence as a strategic bridge between the EU, Africa and the Macaronesian archipelagos.
28 projects launched in Cabo Verde
Held on 10–11 September 2025, the event in Praia showed 28 projects approved in the first call of the Interreg MAC 2021–2027 programme. These projects span multiple sectors and involve the participation of 31 Cape Verdean institutions, showing the country’s active leadership in regional cooperation.
The projects support the most critical EU priorities, ranging from innovation and climate action to sustainable fisheries and mobility. Cabo Verde’s strong presence in participating in 28 out of 34 approved projects emphasises its commitment to regional development and its role as a connector across continents.
A long-term commitment to Regional cohesion
With €169.9 million allocated from the European Regional Development Fund, the Interreg MAC Programme co-finances up to 85% of each project. Since its inception, the programme has funded 415 initiatives over 23 years, strengthening ties between the EU’s outermost regions and neighbouring African countries, including Mauritania, Senegal, Gambia, Ghana, the Ivory Coast, Cabo Verde, and São Tomé and Príncipe.
The current programming period aligns with the EU’s broader foreign policy objectives. In 2025, €10 million has been earmarked under the “Global Europe” instrument to support cooperation with the Atlantic outermost regions, complementing the efforts of Interreg MAC Programme in promoting stability and sustainable development.
Cabo Verde
The projects involving Cabo Verde target a range of priority areas. Under Innovation & Competitiveness, initiatives like Ecomaris, InnoVamos, and TecnoMac are advancing entrepreneurship and the blue economy. In Sustainability & Climate Action, projects such as IDIWATER, GEOTERMAC, and PLANCLIMAC2 focus on renewable energy, climate resilience, and circular economy models.
Risk prevention and biodiversity are also key themes, with projects such as RESMAC and IMPLACOST addressing natural hazards and coastal protection. In Mobility and Skills, MAC Skilling and SOTAVENTO are improving workforce training and inter-island connectivity, particularly in the tourism and maritime sectors.
ATLANTE
The Praia gathering was held under the ATLANTE project, which supports coordination and governance across the Interreg MAC framework. Built on the legacy of the earlier HEXAGONE project, ATLANTE creates dialogue platforms, thematic groups, and strategic links between EU and international funding programmes.
By facilitating institutional cooperation, ATLANTE is helping the programme scale its impact and align regional actions with broader EU objectives.
The Praia event brought together high-level representatives from the governments of Madeira, the Azores, the Canary Islands, and Cabo Verde, as well as EU officials and diplomats. Their collective presence reflected the shared ambition to strengthen ties between Europe and Africa through innovation, sustainability, and regional integration.
