Interreg Slam
The Interreg Slam has become a staple moment in the promotion of Interreg results, and proved as a powerful visibility tool for the whole Interreg community, both within EU circles and in the regions where the videos are showcased.
Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2025, the Slam has achieved remarkable growth since its launch in 2015. The initiative has reached over 12 million people in recent editions, with visibility growing from 1 million in 2022 to 3.1 million in 2023, and reaching 8.4 million in 2025.
The Interreg Slam is evolving to stay up to date with trends in effective communication. It has trained more than 200 people in storytelling and video-making skills, building long-term communication capacity within Interreg project teams. The Slam has established itself as a repository of excellence, showcasing high-quality projects across diverse themes—from green transition and digitalization to social inclusion and youth empowerment—while maintaining strong alignment with EU values and priorities. Past finalists have leveraged their exposure to scale projects, forge new partnerships, and secure outstanding recognition across Europe. More information on the 10th anniversary achievements of the Interreg Slam is available in this overview.
Who this work is for
Interreg Slam 2026 is for every project with a story worth telling – and that means yours.
This initiative welcomes all Interreg programmes and projects across Europe, regardless of size, budget, or thematic focus. Whether you're connecting communities across borders, addressing environmental challenges, driving digital innovation, promoting social inclusion, or empowering youth – if your project has created real impact for real people, you belong here.
Perfect for projects that:
- Have completed meaningful work but struggle to communicate it beyond technical reports
- Want to honor the communities and individuals they've served
- Seek professional visibility and recognition at the European level
- Are ready to share authentic stories of collaboration, persistence, and transformation
- Want to build lasting communication capacity within their team
You don't need to be a professional storyteller, videographer, or performer. That's exactly why we provide comprehensive training and support at every stage. From first-time participants to seasoned communicators, Interreg Slam is designed to meet you where you are and help you shine.
All you need is a genuine story of impact – the people behind your project, the challenges you've overcome, the breakthroughs you've achieved, and the communities you've transformed. The rest, we'll help you create together.
Where to start
Ready to share your project's story? The Interreg Slam 2026 journey begins in spring and unfolds across three exciting stages through autumn.
Mark your calendar: The adventure kicks off with an online launch event in April 2026, where you'll discover everything you need to know about the competition, meet the Interact team, and connect with fellow participants from across Europe.
Throughout May 2026, all participants gain access to professional storytelling training through Interact Academy – expert-led sessions designed specifically for Interreg projects. You'll learn to identify the emotional core of your work, transform technical achievements into relatable narratives, and connect authentically with diverse audiences.
The application window closes in June 2026. After expert assessment, six finalists will be announced by the end of June 2026 – and that's when the real magic begins.
Finalists receive comprehensive support to transform their stories into professional videos (completely free!), compete in a public social media competition in November, and ultimately take the stage at for the grand finale performance and awards ceremony.
Keep an eye out for announcements through our Newsflash in March or April 2026!
What we are working on
Interreg Slam 2026 is evolving into something extraordinary – a complete storytelling journey that transforms project achievements into compelling narratives, professional videos, and unforgettable live performances.
This year's edition introduces a three-stage progressive format:
- Stage 1: A storytelling competition with professional training and expert assessment
- Stage 2: Premium video production for finalists, followed by a thrilling public social media vote reaching hundreds of thousands of people
- Stage 3: Performance coaching and a grand finale live on stage at a large-scale EU-level event
The overall campaign schedule includes:
| Date | Milestone | What Happens |
|---|---|---|
| April 2026 | Kick-Off Event | Online launch event – meet the team, learn the format, get inspired |
| May 2026 | Storytelling Training | Professional training sessions via Interact Academy (online) |
| June 2026 | Application Deadline | Submit your project story via email |
| June 2026 | Finalists Announced | Six winning stories revealed – your journey to the stage begins |
| June - Sept 2026 | Video Production | Professional video creation for all finalists (fully supported) |
| November 2026 | Social Media Competition | All six videos go live – public voting for 3 weeks, reaching hundreds of thousands |
The focus remains on projects with distinct human impact – the real stories of transformation, collaboration, and achievement that deserve to be celebrated beyond technical reports.
What's new for 2026?
Every participant gains invaluable storytelling skills; every finalist receives a professional promotional video worth thousands of euros. But most importantly, your project's story will reach audiences across Europe through Interreg's extensive network, creating lasting impact that extends far beyond project timelines.
The stage is set. The audience is waiting. Your story deserves to be told.
Contact
For more information please contact Stoyan Kanatov.
