INTEREG MAC Program 2021-2027

The Gambia has been included in the EU funded MAC Programme 2021-2027 as one of the Third Countries. This Interreg MAC European Territorial Cooperation Programme is supported by the European Regional Development Fund and external financing instruments, and is focused on the mutual cooperation of the outermost regions of the Azores, Madeira and the Canary Islands and the Third Countries of Cape Verde, Senegal, Mauritania, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Gambia and São Tomé and Príncipe (five of which are part of ECOWAS), to facilitate their regional integration and harmonious development, particularly in responding to common challenges in matters of innovation, competitiveness, internationalization, sustainable development and efficiency in public administration.

This MAC INTERREG program is therefore supported in areas such as exchange and networking, meetings, conferences and other actions that are MAC related. EU-GPO provides support services to the National Representative as the focal point for the INTERREG/MAC programme in the country.

In this regard, EU-GPO participated in all INTEREG MAC Program 2021-2027- Steering Committee Meetings.  Overall, 18 Gambian institutions were identified as partners with Spanish entities for possible implementation of projects on various thematic areas of the MAC.

However, the Steering Committee on 6th June 2024, in Madiera, Portugal, approved six projects for the Gambia for the following institutions:

• MoFA– Observatory on human mobility between the Canary Islands and Africa
• Jokolab Banjul– Initiative to improve and adapt the professional competences and skills of workers to the current and future needs of the Macaronesian labour market.
• University of the Gambia– Innovation Lab for the mobility of workers and socio-economic inclusion of migrants in the Canary Islands
• Department of Parks & Wildlife– Creation of a transnational NETWORK of Wildlife Recovery Centres in the Macaronesia region and African countries (Cape Verde, Senegal, Gambia, Ghana, Ivory Coast and Sao Tome and Principe).
• Gambia Tourism Board- Revaluation and conservation of protected natural areas through the improvement of the green and blue transition with related urban and rural areas.
• Mbolo Association- Integrated development and adaptation to climate change of coastal communities in West Africa and Macaronesia.
• Gambia Chamber of Commerce & Industry- Innovation Lab for the mobility