Interreg Greece - Albania

08/10/2026

🎉 Thank you for an overwhelming response to our 6th & 7th Open Calls for Small-Scale Projects! 🇬🇷🤝🇦🇱

With the closure of submissions on 30 September 2026, we received 32 cross-border project proposals requesting a total of €11 Million—nearly 4 times the €3 Million available budget!

🌿 6th Call (S.O. 2.7 – Nature, Biodiversity & Green Infrastructure): 14 proposals (€4.83M requested vs. €1M available)
🏛️ 7th Call (S.O. 4.6 – Culture, Sustainable Tourism & Social Innovation): 18 proposals (€6.17M requested vs. €2M available)
🤝 85 Partner Participations (40 from Greece & 45 from Albania) from 66 unique organisations!

More details on our analytical report: https://lnkd.in/p/eatqczNm

Thank you to all the partners and newcomers who teamed up across the border. The evaluation phase is now underway—stay tuned for updates at ➡️ www.greece-albania.eu

24/09/2026

FIRESMARTER: Working Together for Safer, More Resilient Forests 🌲🔥

Looking back at the Firesmarter Interreg VI-A IPA Greece-Albania kick-off meeting, held on 16 July 2026 at the headquarters of the Inspection Directorate for Forest Policy Implementation of Epirus–Western Macedonia, in Ioannina. 🤝📍

The meeting officially launched the joint implementation of FIRESMARTER under the Interreg VI-A IPA Greece–Albania 2021–2027 Programme, bringing together partners committed to strengthening forest wildfire prevention, early detection, climate resilience, and sustainable forest management across the border.
🇬🇷 🇪🇺 🇦🇱🌍

During the meeting, the partners discussed the project’s objectives, planned activities, and implementation timeline, with particular attention to:

🌲 Forest monitoring and surveillance systems
🚁 The use of UAV technologies for biomass and geospatial mapping
📡 The integration of new surveillance equipment into existing alert systems
📊 The collection and exchange of wildfire and forest data
🧯 Early warning and real-time fire detection
🎓 Training activities and knowledge exchange
🌿 Joint forest management plans
💚 Forest carbon credit systems

The programme also included a study visit focusing on an early-warning system for forest fires and the use of environmental sensor technologies for real-time monitoring and rapid detection. This practical exchange highlighted how technology and cooperation can work hand in hand to protect forests and communities. 🔍🌡️🚨

🤝 Project Partners

Inspection Directorate for Forest Policy Implementation of Epirus–Western Macedonia Υπουργείο Περιβάλλοντος και Ενέργειας — Lead Beneficiary, Greece 🇬🇷

National Forest Agency of Albania Agjencia Kombëtare e Burimeve Natyrore - AKBN faqja zyrtare 🇦🇱

Municipality of Libohova Bashkia Libohovë - Faqja Zyrtare 🇦🇱

Centre for Research and Technology Hellas (CERTH) Εθνικό Κέντρο Έρευνας και Τεχνολογικής Ανάπτυξης 🇬🇷

FIRESMARTER is taking an important step towards more coordinated, data-driven, and climate-resilient forest protection. By sharing expertise, strengthening operational systems, and investing in innovative monitoring technologies, Greece and Albania are building a safer future for their forests and border communities. 🌍🌳🤝

🔥The FIRESMARTER Project🔥

Promoting Fire-Smart Territories (FST) Initiative for harmonised and effective forest fire prevention and management strategies

‼️FIRESMARTER tackles the rising wildfire threat in the Greece – Albania cross-border region, where climate change, land abandonment and biomass build-up are increasing forest vulnerability. As wildfire intensity and frequency increase, ecosystems, rural livelihoods, and communities face mounting risks— demanding urgent prevention and coordinated, cross-border action.‼️

💡The project promotes the innovative Fire-Smart Territories (FSTs) concept, combining sustainable land use, fuel management and smart fire detection technologies. It develops joint Forest Management Plans (FMPs) in seven high-risk areas, aiming to reduce fire exposure and enhance forest resilience.💡

🎥A key feature is the integrated surveillance system, with UAVs and smart cameras enabling real-time monitoring and early warning. This cross-border infrastructure enhances emergency coordination and decision-making across territories.🎥

🌿FIRESMARTER also pioneers a Forest Carbon Credit System (FCCS) to incentivise sustainable forestry and carbon sequestration, while supporting bioeconomy clusters focused on wood and non-wood forest products— stimulating green entrepreneurship in remote, fire-prone areas.🌿

📊To ensure long-term impact, the project delivers:
➡ a Fire-Smart Territories Strategy and action plan
➡ a Joint Early Warning ΚΑΙ Detection Strategy
➡ a Transferability ΚΑΙ Capitalization Plan
➡ a Spatial Decision Support System (SDSS) for prioritising fuel treatment and resource use

👥Through training, stakeholder engagement and knowledge transfer, FIRESMARTER builds institutional capacity and embeds its results into everyday governance.
Expected results include stronger climate adaptation policies, better wildfire prevention, revitalised rural economies and scalable models for broader EU application —making FIRESMARTER a smart, sustainable and cooperative response to a growing environmental challenge.👥

💰💰Total Budget: 1.041.552€
🇪🇺 🇪🇺 EU Funds: 833.242€
🇬🇷 🇦🇱 National Funds: 208.310€

23/09/2026

📅 SAVE THE DATE | 20 October 2026

How can Artificial Intelligence help us communicate the impact of cross-border cooperation faster, smarter and more creatively?

As part of the Interreg Greece - Albania MA/Joint Secretariat, we are excited to join forces with our fellow Interreg programmes for a dedicated online workshop!

The Managing Authority Interreg 2021–2027, together with the Interact Programme, is hosting the webinar:

💡 “Use of Artificial Intelligence in Interreg Communications”

Designed specifically for the Communication Managers of our cross-border programmes, this practical session will dive into:

Generative AI and content creation workflows

Large Language Models (LLMs) tailored for public communication

Real-world, everyday AI use cases to make our project storytelling more engaging

We look forward to gaining valuable insights alongside our colleagues from Interreg Greece - Bulgaria, Interreg Greece-Italy, Interreg Greece–Cyprus - Interreg VI-A Ελλάδα-Κύπρος and interreg Greece–North Macedonia, bringing fresh digital tools to the forefront of our cross-border dialogue.

📍 Online Webinar

📅 20 October 2026

👥 For Communication Managers of the 5 Cross-Border Interreg Programmes involving Greece

Stay tuned — registration details and agenda coming soon!

22/09/2026

Advancing Cross-Border Healthcare: Back-to-Back Technical Meetings for EpirusMedEye and MINOR-MED

Managing Authority Interreg 2021-2027 / Joint Secretariat Interreg Greece - Albania (MA/JS) just hosted back-to-back technical meetings in their premises in Thessaloniki to review the progress and streamline the implementation of two vital healthcare projects: EpirusMedEye and MINOR-MED

Both initiatives fall under Specific Objective 4.5 “Ensuring equal access to health”, sharing a unified vision: ensuring equal access to healthcare, fostering system resilience and shifting toward community-based care in remote cross-border areas.

While both projects share this strategic foundation, each takes a distinct operational approach:

EpirusMedEye targets the Municipality of Dropull Δήμος Δρόπολης Bashkia Dropull and the Περιφέρεια Ηπείρου - Region of Epirus, establishing a direct telemedicine link between local rural health points (such as Derviçan) and the General Hospital of Ioannina "G. Chatzikosta". Its distinctive actions center on deploying a dedicated mobile healthcare unit, conducting specialist outreach missions directly from Ioannina and building an integrated local digital health records network for over 1.500 residents.

Lead Partner: Strategic Structure NSRF of Ministry of Health - Υπουργείο Υγείας

Project Partners:
Regional Council of Vlora - Këshilli i Qarkut Vlorë
Athena Research Center in Information Communication and Knowledge Technology
Diagnosis Med NGO

MINOR-MED addresses broader underserved and minority populations across remote mountainous areas in Greece and Albania, partnering with the General Hospital at Filiates, the Regional Council of Vlora Këshilli i Qarkut Vlorë and the Athena Research Center. Its focus is oriented toward wide-area telemedicine deployment, upgrading local medical equipment and delivering specialised clinical training and capacity-building across cross-border healthcare providers to benefit more than 5.000 residents.

Lead Partner: Strategic Structure NSRF of Ministry of Health - Υπουργείο Υγείας

Project Partners:
General Hospital of Ioannina G. Chatzikosta
Municipality of Dropull - Δήμος Δρόπολης Bashkia Dropull
Diagnosis Med NGO

During the sessions, project beneficiaries and MA/JS officers reviewed current physical targets, updated procurement and contracting timetables, analysed 2026–2027 expenditure forecasts and agreed on key mitigation steps to maintain strong delivery momentum.

Together, these complementary initiatives demonstrate how shared programme objectives translate into tailored, on-the-ground interventions —bringing modern medical care closer to isolated cross-border communities.

18/09/2026

📢 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for the 6th & 7th Open Calls are now available!

Are you finalising your proposal for the 6th and 7th Open Calls for Small-Scale Projects under Interreg Greece - Albania IPA CBC 2021-2027 Programme?

To assist you in the final stages of your application, the Managing Authority Interreg 2021-2027 and Joint Secretariat have officially published the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document!

Whether you need clarifications on partner eligibility, budget calculations, the MIS submission process or the Specific Objectives (2.7 Biodiversity & 4.6 Tourism), you will find detailed and updated answers to help you submit a successful proposal.

⏳ Important Reminder: The deadline for submitting your project proposals via MIS is rapidly approaching on September 30, 2026, at 15:00 (Greek local time).

Make sure to review the document carefully to ensure your proposal is fully compliant with the Terms of Reference.

🔗 Read the FAQs here: https://greece-albania.eu/frequently-asked-questions-6th-and-7th-calls-for-small-scale-project-proposals/

Good luck to all our potential beneficiaries —both our experienced partners and the newcomers joining us for the first time!

The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document for the 6th and 7th Calls for Small-Scale Project Proposals is now available at the Library section of the website. […]

14/09/2026

!Call for Visitors!

Share, learn and connect on solutions to cross-border obstacles.

Interreg Greece - Albania encourages its beneficiaries, project partners and stakeholders to apply for the Border Regions Peer Exchange on Solving Border Obstacles.

The initiative offers an opportunity to take part in peer-exchange visits focused on real solutions to legal and administrative obstacles affecting border regions across Europe.

Selected visitors will learn directly from b-solutions cases, exchange experience with peers from other border regions and explore approaches that may inspire new solutions in their own cross-border context.

The call, fuelled by European Commission EU REGIO Interreg and Centro Estudos Eurorrexionais is open to organisations active in Interreg A programmes, including public authorities, Interreg stakeholders, universities, research centres, development agencies, chambers of commerce, Euroregions and other organisations working across borders.

✅ 100 visitors will be selected
✅ 10 peer-exchange visits will take place between November 2026 and January 2027
✅ Up to €750 financial support for travel and accommodation is available for up to 50 high-scoring applicants

📅 Deadline: 16 September 2026, 17:00 CEST
🔗 Apply now: https://visitors.borderexchange.fceer.org/

Do not miss the opportunity to bring the experience of the Greece–Albania cross-border area into a wider European dialogue — and to return with ideas, contacts and practical knowledge for future cooperation. 🇬🇷🇦🇱🇪🇺

11/09/2026

🚀 We are officially launching the MINOR-MED project today with our Kick-Off Meeting!

Hosted by the General Hospital at Filiates, our partners are gathering in a hybrid format at the Filiates Town Hall to kickstart our implementation phase. Today's comprehensive agenda focuses heavily on the operational road ahead. The project partners are confirming partner roles, reviewing our procurement and contracting procedures,and setting critical milestones for the next six months. Curious about the broader goals of the project? You can find all the details regarding our cross-border activities on our official page: https://greece-albania.eu/project/minor-med/

You are welcome to follow the proceedings of the meeting o YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVfMfT-ifbk

Enjoy the videos and music that you love, upload original content and share it all with friends, family and the world on YouTube.

09/09/2026

It is a great honour to be greeted and praised on the efficiency and quality of the past, ongoing and future partnership by distinguished members of the academic community as Prof. Anna Batistatou, Rector of University of Ioannina and Prof. Angeliki Lekatou Vice-Rector.

The kind words about the quality of our collaboration all these years and the commitment of Head of Joint Secretariat Interreg Greece - Albania Mr George Papadopoulos made all Managing Authority "Interreg 2021-2027" and JS personnel feel once again so welcome at Ioannina for our 2nd InfoDay on Small Scale Project proposals 6th & 7th Call.

To our cooperation in the years to come, especially given the fact Professor Batistatou is a member of the Programming Committee for 2028-2034 representing the Council of Rectors of Greek Universities!

09/09/2026

our 2nd InfoDay is broadcasted also on our YouTube channel!

For the interested ones that did not make it to Ioannina, come join!

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.