The Diputación de Cáceres has launched new activities as part of the Euroace UNESCO Territories project, a POCTEP cross-border cooperation initiative co-financed 75% by the European Union, aimed at boosting the tourism and environmental profile of the province’s UNESCO-recognized sites.

The program, approved under Interreg VI-A Spain-Portugal, is led by the provincial institution and partnered with the Directorate General for Youth and Sports of the Junta of Extremadura. Its main goal is to promote a sustainable tourism development model around Monfragüe, Tajo Internacional, and the Villuercas-Ibores-Jara Geopark, together with the Portuguese Naturtejo territory.

9 Routes from March to September

The Cicl@teUNESCO program includes nine MTB cycling routes and three hiking trails across the three main UNESCO territories in the province of Cáceres.

Monfragüe Biosphere Reserve

• Casas de Millán – Villa del Arco: April 26
• Casas de Miravete Circular: May 10
• Serradilla – Interpretation Center “The Human Footprint”: September 26

Tajo Internacional Biosphere Reserve

• Carbajo – Herrera de Alcántara: April 11
• Garrovillas de Alconétar – Alcántara: May 3
• Dehesas de Membrío – Salorino – Herreruela: May 31

Villuercas-Ibores-Jara Geopark

• Bohonal – Castañar de Ibor: March 28
• Navezuelas Circular: May 23
• Cañamero Circular: September 12

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The session explored how Interreg programmes and projects used ISO1 to tackle cross-border obstacles and build lasting solutions. New ISO1 opportunities were also presented.

During the session, Belén Muñoz, from the POCTEP Managing Authority highlighted that overcoming cross-border obstacles and strengthening administrative cooperation are key elements of the programme’s strategy, drawing on more than three decades of experience working along the border. It also stressed that these issues had already been addressed in previous programming periods under different terminology, such as Thematic Objective 4 “Public Administration” in POCTEP 2014–2020. It also presented examples of projects such as RED MAY and NUMA, both focused on institutional cooperation in the field of health, as well as projects that have supported the activities of Eurocities such as EuroGuadiana, Tui–Valença, Chaves–Verín, and Cerveira–Tomiño.

Meanwhile, Javier Figueiredo, in representation of the Directorate-General for External Action of the Regional Government of Extremadura, lead beneficiary entity of the GIT EUROACE CON VIDA project, summarised some of the project’s main achievements. Figueiredo explained how issues such as cross-border taxation, the permeability of relations, the promotion of cultural cooperation, while also emphasising the need to identify new challenges related to cross-border obstacles. In this regard, he highlighted the importance of cross-border social dialogue, which led to the creation of the series of events “Diálogos de Frontera” within the framework of the project. (WATCH vídeos here)

Other event`s key highlights included:

• An introduction to the InterregGov project, a new initiative from DG REGIO, covering an upcoming call for applications to develop ISO1 activities, and the programmes that should apply.
• Practical examples from two Interreg programmes that successfully used ISO1 to address legal and administrative border barriers.
• Updates from DG REGIO on the future of ISO1 in the post-2027 programming period.

The session was aimed at Interreg programme representatives and anyone interested in ISO1 practices currently implemented to tackle cross-border obstacles.

Webinar Recording – ISO1 in Practice: Tackling Cross-Border Obstacles

Webinar Final Presentation 

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The Portuguese city of Sines will host on **March 10, 2026** the I Hispano-Luso Green Hydrogen Forum, a gathering of experts, companies, institutions, and energy sector stakeholders to analyze the opportunities offered by this energy vector in the ecological transition of the Iberian Peninsula.

The forum is part of the activities of the Futuretech_H2 project, a European initiative aimed at promoting technological development and the green hydrogen industry in Spain and Portugal. This project is co-financed by the European Union through the Interreg VI-A Spain–Portugal (POCTEP) 2021–2027 program, which fosters territorial cooperation between the two countries.

The event can be followed live here: https://www.youtube.com/live/fglTKcw-Xho

A meeting to strengthen the green hydrogen ecosystem

The forum aims to create a space for cross-border dialogue and cooperation among companies, technology centers, universities, and public administrations, with the goal of boosting the development of the green hydrogen economy in the Iberian region.

During the day, key topics will be addressed, such as: the role of green hydrogen in industrial decarbonization, opportunities for technological innovation and knowledge transfer, development of energy and logistics infrastructure, and opportunities for training and employment linked to this emerging industry.

Green hydrogen is positioned as one of the pillars of the energy transition, especially in industrial and transport sectors that are difficult to electrify. Therefore, initiatives like this forum aim to bring the real applications of this technology closer to businesses and society, while promoting new economic and professional opportunities.

Iberian cooperation for clean energy

The forum is part of the Futuretech_H2 cross-border roadshow, a series of events traveling through different cities in Spain and Portugal to showcase the industrial and technological potential of green hydrogen and promote collaboration between the two countries.

The choice of Sines, one of Portugal’s main energy and industrial hubs, reinforces the strategic role of southwestern Europe in developing new value chains linked to clean energy.

With this first forum, the organizers aim to consolidate a stable space for Hispano-Luso cooperation that contributes to positioning the Iberian Peninsula as one of Europe’s future hubs for green hydrogen production and development.

The post Live: I Hispano-Luso Green Hydrogen Forum – Sines (Portugal), March 10, 2026 first appeared on POCTEP.

Seville, March 6, 2026

The Tres Culturas Foundation launches the third phase of the INTREPIDA project aimed at women entrepreneurs from Spain and Portugal

The Tres Culturas Foundation of the Mediterranean continues working to strengthen cross-border cooperation between neighboring countries such as Spain and Portugal, in line with the objectives of equality, sustainability, inclusion, digitalization and territorial cohesion of the European Union, as well as the agreements derived from the XXXV Spain–Portugal Summit. This collaboration is reflected in the launch of the third phase of the project ‘INTREPIDA pro. Internationalization of Women Entrepreneurs from Spain and Portugal towards Integration, Development and Partnerships’.

INTREPIDA pro facilitates activities not only of interest to women entrepreneurs from Spain and Portugal, but also offers unique meetings with businesswomen, the well-known INTREPIDA gatherings, which are events open to all citizens who wish to learn more about the different business proposals.

Over nearly three years, four international forums dedicated to women entrepreneurs from different sectors in both countries will be held in Andalusia (in the city of Seville and in the province of Cádiz) and in Portugal (in the cities of Évora and Loulé). The project will continue working on and expanding the digital guide of women entrepreneurs in the Alentejo-Algarve-Andalusia Euroregion, thus contributing to greater dissemination and visibility for women entrepreneurs in both countries, bringing them closer to potential future clients. The new feature in this phase of the project is training in AI for business management and everyday life.

There are many testimonials from businesswomen and citizens who have encouraged us to continue with the project. Such as the Algarve entrepreneur Silvia Rodrigues from the company SIGUES: “Eu ficaria muito feliz se o INTREPIDA voltasse, pois gosto muito do programa, sempre gostei de participar e do INTREPIDA surgiram para mim e para o meu trabalho excelentes oportunidades que nunca mais vou esquecer” (I would be very happy if the INTREPIDA project returned, as I really like the program. I have always enjoyed participating and INTREPIDA has created excellent opportunities for me and my work that I will never forget).

This new phase of the project, which began in 2017 and focuses on female entrepreneurship in the regions of Andalusia, Algarve and Alentejo, includes two new partners: the Bahía de Cádiz Foundation for Economic Development and the Algarve Regional Business Association (NERA), joining a partnership that since its beginnings has included the Condado de Huelva Development Association and the Évora Regional Business Hub (NERE), coordinated by the Tres Culturas Foundation.

This institution, which has recently been recognized by UNESCO as a Category 2 Centre, joins the various initiatives commemorating International Women’s Day, with the aim of making the enormous contribution of women to the economy and society of any country more visible. The INTREPIDA pro project significantly contributes to several of the identified Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

The INTREPIDA pro project is part of the sixth call for projects of the Interreg Spain–Portugal Programme (POCTEP) 2021–2027, the largest cross-border cooperation programme of the EU, which celebrates 35 years of existence. This programme finances 75% of a total budget amounting to €684,219.

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The European Commission has opened the application period for the RegioStars Awards 2026, the prestigious competition that recognises cohesion policy-funded projects with the greatest impact and innovation in Europe.

Applications may be submitted until 22 May 2026 through the official platform, together with an endorsement letter from the managing authority. As in previous years, a maximum of five applications per programme may be submitted, therefore the endorsement letter from the authority is indispensable.

Eligible projects are completed projects that have generated local impact and sustainable results, meeting the requirements set out in the call for applications. A project is considered completed when it has carried out all planned activities, has received its final financial contribution, and has been declared closed by the project beneficiary or the managing authority.

5 categories

Projects will compete in five categories: A competitive and smart Europe, A green Europe, A connected Europe, A social and inclusive Europe, and A Europe closer to citizens.

As in previous years, the public will have the opportunity to vote for their favourite finalist for the Public Choice Award. The names of all winners will be announced during the REGIOSTARS ceremony, which will also take place during the European Week of Regions and Cities.

The winners of the five categories and the winner of the Public Choice Award will receive follow-up activities managed in cooperation with DG REGIO to promote the awarded projects in the region.

At POCTEP, we encourage beneficiary organisations to submit their initiatives and take advantage of this opportunity to give visibility and European recognition to their work. To participate, please contact the POCTEP Joint Secretariat at projetos@poctep.eu

• MORE INFORMATION AT: Inforegio – REGIOSTARS Awards
• DOWNLOADS IN SPANISH: GUIDE FOR APPLICANTS | FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
• DOWNLOADS IN PORTUGUESE: GUIDE FOR APPLICANTS | FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
• WATCH WEBINAR ON 2026’S CALL

Publicado 12/02/2026

The post The REGIOSTARS are back! Submit your project for the 2026 edition first appeared on POCTEP.

This recognition underlines the technical quality, innovative nature and training value of a simulator based on digital twin technology, designed to bridge the gap between traditional training methods and the new skills required by the green hydrogen industry.

A key tool for training and the energy transition

The digital twin developed enables professionals to explore all aspects of green hydrogen production, storage and distribution. Through a simulation platform that replicates the operation of a hydrogen plant, users can experience real-life scenarios, from handling complex systems to making decisions in testing environments.

According to Interreg Europe, the tool represents a pioneering solution that supports training for both technical and non-technical profiles, while also serving as an awareness-raising resource and as support for industrial SMEs with the potential to transition towards green hydrogen. The development of the pilot was made possible thanks to the coordinated work of all consortium partners, who jointly defined the requirements, milestones and outcomes that guided its implementation.

Tangible results in Spain and Portugal

Interreg Europe highlights the simulator’s initial results:

• More than 60 professionals trained in Spain and Portugal through two specialised courses.
• Use of the simulator during the Roadshow currently taking place in cities across Andalusia and Alentejo (Portugal) to share experiences and raise awareness among citizens and businesses about the role of green hydrogen as a key energy vector in the cross-border area.
• Planned integration of the simulator into future training programmes delivered by several partners.

These achievements reinforce the simulator’s role as a strategic tool for consolidating the green hydrogen value chain in the cross-border region.

Interreg Europe also emphasises the simulator’s strong transfer potential, noting that its replicable design makes it an ideal tool for training centres, public administrations and companies interested in green hydrogen.

A recognition driven by the collaboration of the Seville Chamber of Commerce

The Federation of Metal Entrepreneurs, FEDEME, as project lead, and on behalf of the entire FUTURETECH_H2 consortium, would like to express its special thanks to the Seville Chamber of Commerce, whose support through the European project Green Hydra was instrumental in achieving this recognition.

Their support has helped amplify the impact of this good practice and position it within the European ecosystem of innovative initiatives related to the energy transition.

ABOUT FUTURETECH_H2

The FUTURETECH_H2 Project is co-funded by the European Union through the Interreg VI-A Spain–Portugal (POCTEP) 2021–2027 Programme and will run until 31 March 2026.

Futuretech_H2 has a total budget of €1,366,564.9 and is being implemented by a consortium of six partners from the Alentejo (Portugal) and Andalusia regions (CATEC – Advanced Centre for Aerospace Technologies, ADRAL, Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre, University of Évora, Nao Victoria Foundation and the Federation of Metal Entrepreneurs, FEDEME, as lead partner), with the objective of developing the green hydrogen value chain in this cross-border area by promoting and disseminating, through various planned actions, the strengths and capabilities of this energy vector as an industry of the future.

Source:

Communication Department
Federation of Metal Entrepreneurs – FEDEME
comunicacion@fedeme.com

Tel.: +34 954 526 988 – +34 625 503 996

Seville, 19 February 2026

The post Futuretech H2 Digital Simulator Recognised by Interreg Europe as a Success Story first appeared on POCTEP.

• An information webinar will be held on 24 February to explain all the details to potential applicants.
• The OECD has opened a registration for experts interested in collaborating with the selected pilot territories.

The European Commission has launched a new initiative called IMPACT with the aim of promoting Community-Led Local Development (CLLD) projects in cross-border territories. The programme is funded by the Commission itself and will be jointly implemented by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the European Commission.

The call to participate in the pilot projects will remain open until 10 April 2026.

A boost for cross-border local development

The IMPACT project will run throughout 2026 and 2027 and aims to strengthen Community-Led Local Development in cross-border territories both within the European Union and in neighbouring countries. To this end, it will support cross-border local partnerships in designing joint strategies based on the specific needs of each territory.

The initiative is structured around two main objectives:

• Support up to 30 cross-border pilot territories in establishing or strengthening governance partnerships and adopting joint Community-Led Local Development strategies.
• Promote sustained support from Interreg programmes for community-led cross-border development.

Eligible territories for the pilot projects include the 27 EU Member States, as well as Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Türkiye and Ukraine. Andorra, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland may also participate.

Information and participation

The European Commission encourages the dissemination of this information among relevant cross-border stakeholders in each cooperation area.

Interested parties can access further details through:

• The official initiative website.
• The call for pilot projects.
• Registration for the online information webinar to be held on 24 February.
• Subscription to a mailing list to receive updates.

In addition, the OECD has opened a registration for experts interested in collaborating with the selected pilot territories, in order to provide technical assistance and specialised support during the implementation of the project.

The post 24/02 WEBINAR: European IMPACT call for cross-border projects first appeared on POCTEP.

The 5th meeting of the Management Committee (MC) of the Interreg VI-A Spain–Portugal Programme (POCTEP) 2021–2027 was held online on 29/01/2026, focusing on the decision-making process regarding the applications submitted under the 6th and 7th project calls.

The meeting was chaired by the Agency for Development & Cohesion I.P. (ADC, Portugal) and co-chaired by the Directorate-General for European Funds (DGFE) of the Ministry of Finance of the Government of Spain. The Committee also included the participation of the European Commission, the Managing Authority, and the Programme’s National and Regional Authorities.

6th call

Under the 6th call, focused on priorities 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7, with an ERDF financial allocation of €110.9 million, 243 applications were submitted, of which 220 were deemed eligible.

The Committee reviewed the decision proposals of the Territorial Committees held on 04/11/2025 regarding the 243 evaluated applications, as well as the reformulation of applications approved under conditions. The final decisions were as follows:

• 69 approved;
• 25 placed on the reserve list;
• 126 rejected;
• 23 declared ineligible.

7th call

The 7th call focused on pluriregional strategic operations under specific objectives 1.1, 2.4 and 4.5, with an ERDF financial allocation of €33.7 million. A total of 31 applications were submitted, of which 23 were deemed eligible.

Similarly, the Committee reviewed the decision proposals of the Territorial Committees held on 04/11/2026 concerning the corresponding reformulations. The decisions were as follows:

• 2 approved;
• 4 placed on the reserve list;
• 17 rejected;
• 8 declared ineligible.

As a result, the total number of projects approved under POCTEP 2021–2027 to date is 215 projects: 144 from the first five calls, plus 71 approved at this Management Committee meeting (69 under the 6th call and 2 under the 7th call). In addition, 29 applications placed on the reserve list will be subject to a decision at a forthcoming Committee meeting.

Financial programming

Following this Management Committee meeting, the outcome is an approved financial programming of €62.3 million ERDF for the 69 applications approved under the 6th call, and €8.5 million for the 2 applications approved under the 7th call.

Therefore, the overall programming of the seven calls concluded so far amounts to a total of €228.12 million ERDF approved.

The post 6th and 7th POCTEP calls bring 100 new projects first appeared on POCTEP.

In this context, the ROADSHOW FUTURETECH_H2 will showcase the technologies that will decarbonize industry, ports, and mobility in the Spain–Portugal cross-border area.

Among these technologies, which will travel through cities along the Spain–Portugal border such as Seville, Algeciras, Huelva, Sines, and Évora, the Toyota Mirai stands out, for example. It is a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle that only emits water vapor, positioning itself as a real example of how H₂ is transforming transport toward a zero-emission future. In addition to its clean propulsion, the model incorporates active technology that purifies the air as it moves, contributing to the protection of the planet while in operation.

DOWNLOAD THE BROCHURE

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Source: Iberian Association of Douro Riverside Municipalities (AIMRD)

On January 21 and 22, the knowledge and experience exchange event of the Tourism4SDG project will take place. This project was approved in the second call of the Interreg Europe programme, with AIMRD as the Spanish beneficiary.

The event, held on the Spain-Portugal border Valladolid-Miranda do Douro, aims primarily to showcase the sustainable tourism experiences and practices (including cross-border tourism) of this border region, as well as the methods applied to promote monitoring of such sustainability.

On the morning of the first day (January 21), the Knowledge Transfer Seminar will take place, during which we would like to count on your participation. The seminar will provide project partners and local stakeholders with an overview of the logical framework established by POCTEP for developing sustainable cross-border tourism and, where applicable, present participants with the initiatives (good practices) supported by POCTEP within this framework.

AIMRD’s participation in this project aims to highlight how cross-border cooperation in the Douro-Duero area is essential to ensure the tourism sustainability of this border territory.

The Interreg Spain-Portugal programme (POCTEP) has promoted cross-border cooperation between Spain and Portugal as a tool to strengthen regional development and combat depopulation. In the field of sustainable tourism, it has supported projects that attract visitors to rural areas and boost the local economy while protecting natural and cultural heritage. Through the exchange of experiences and good practices, opportunities have been created that help revitalize communities, energize less populated areas, and consolidate a responsible and sustainable tourism model.

The post 21/01/2026: POCTEP Shares Its Experience in Sustainable Tourism at the ‘Tourism4SDG’ Event first appeared on POCTEP.