The system of authorities and governance structures of the Interreg VI-A Italia–Malta Programme is defined in accordance with EU legislation on European Territorial Cooperation, in particular:
- Regulation (EU) 2021/1059, laying down specific provisions for the European Territorial Cooperation objective (Interreg);
- Regulation (EU) 2021/1060, establishing common provisions applicable to EU funds, including the ERDF.
These regulations set out the roles, functions and responsibilities of the Programme authorities, ensuring effective, transparent and compliant implementation.
The Managing Authority is responsible for the overall coordination and proper implementation of the Interreg VI-A Italia–Malta Programme. It operates in line with the principle of sound financial management, ensuring that EU funds are used transparently, efficiently and in compliance with European regulations.
What does it do in practice?
In simple terms, the Managing Authority:
- supports the Monitoring Committee and prepares annual and final implementation reports;
- provides beneficiaries with all the information needed to apply for funding and implement projects;
- ensures the collection and storage of project data for monitoring, evaluation, financial management, verification and audit purposes;
- applies the project selection procedures, guaranteeing transparency, equal treatment and non-discrimination;
- verifies that selected beneficiaries have the administrative, financial and operational capacity required to implement projects correctly.
Who acts as Managing Authority?
The Managing Authority of the Interreg VI-A Italia–Malta Programme is the:
Sicilian Region
Department of Programming
📍 Piazza Luigi Sturzo, 36 – 90139 Palermo
Director General
Vincenzo Falgares
📞 Tel: +39 091 7070032
✉️ Email: dipartimento.programmazione@regione.sicilia.it
📨 PEC: dipartimento.programmazione@certmail.regione.sicilia.it
Area 7 – Management of European Territorial and Transnational Cooperation Programmes
✉️ Email: area7programmazione@regione.sicilia.it
Head of Area
Daniela Segreto
📞 Tel: +39 091 7070033
✉️ Email: daniela.segreto@regione.sicilia.it
Contact person
Vincenza Verro – Senior Officer
📞 Tel: +39 091 7070047
✉️ Email: enza.verro@regione.sicilia.it
The Certifying Authority is responsible for the certification of expenditure under the Interreg VI-A Italia–Malta Programme and for ensuring the correct financial flow between the Programme and the European Commission.
It operates in compliance with EU regulations, ensuring that all declared expenditure is accurate, lawful and verifiable.
What does it do in practice?
In simple terms, the Certifying Authority:
- prepares and submits payment applications to the European Commission;
- certifies that declared expenditure comes from reliable accounting systems, is supported by verifiable documents and has been checked by the Managing Authority;
- prepares the annual accounts of the Programme in accordance with EU financial rules;
- certifies that the accounts are complete, accurate and truthful, and that declared expenditure:
- complies with EU and national legislation;
- relates to projects selected for funding;
- meets the Programme’s eligibility criteria.
Why is it important?
Because it ensures financial reliability and accountability, safeguarding the correct use of European funds and reinforcing trust in the Programme.
Who acts as Certifying Authority?
Certifying Authority for Programmes Co-financed by the European Commission
Sicilian Region
📍 Piazza Luigi Sturzo, 36 – 90139 Palermo
Director General
Cono Catrini
📞 Tel: +39 091 7070116
✉️ Email: autorita.certificazione@regione.sicilia.it
📨 PEC: autorita.certificazione@certmail.regione.sicilia.it
Service 1 – ERDF Certification and European Territorial Cooperation (ETC)
Head of Service
Domenico Di Marco
📞 Tel: +39 091 7070285
✉️ Email: domenico.dimarco@regione.sicilia.it
The Audit Authority is the independent body that verifies the proper functioning of the management and control system of the Interreg VI-A Italy–Malta Program. Its role is to ensure that European funds are used regularly, effectively, and in compliance with European Union regulations.
What does it actually do?
In simple terms, the Audit Authority:
performs audits of the Program's management and control system and of an adequate sample of funded projects, based on declared expenditure;
draws an audit opinion and an annual control report, describing the audits performed and the results achieved;
draws and updates the audit strategy, the document defining the working method, project sampling criteria, and the audit activity plan for the current and subsequent accounting periods.
How is audit activity organized?
The Audit Authority is supported by a joint audit team, composed of an Italian and a Maltese representative, to ensure uniform audit criteria and standards across the entire Programme area.
The representative of the Internal Audit and Investigations Department of the Office of the Prime Minister of Malta is part of the audit team and is responsible for verifying expenditure incurred on Maltese territory.
Why is it important?
Because it ensures the reliability of the Programme, protects the public interest, and strengthens the European Commission's and citizens' trust in the use of European funds.
Who performs the role of the Audit Authority?
Special Office of the Audit Authority for Programs Co-financed by the European Commission
Sicilian Region
📍 Via Emanuele Notarbartolo, 12/A – 90141 Palermo
General Manager
Grazia Terranova
📞 Tel: +39 091 7077544
✉️ Email: autorita.audit@regione.sicilia.it
📨 Certified Email: ufficio.speciale.audit@certmail.regione.sicilia.it
Technical Area No. 14 – Programs 2014–2020
Manager
Margherita Caracappa
📞 Tel: +39 091 7077543
✉️ Email: margherita.caracappa@regione.sicilia.it
Audit Service No. 12 – Italy–Malta and Italy–Tunisia Programs
Director
Antonino Pumo
📞 Tel: +39 091 7077568
✉️ Email: antonino.pumo@regione.sicilia.it
The Maltese National Coordinating Authority is the institutional focal point for the implementation of the Interreg VI-A Italia–Malta Programme in Malta. It is based within the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for European Funds, Social Dialogue and Consumer Protection.
What does it do in practice?
In simple terms, the Maltese National Coordinating Authority performs two main functions:
- a regulatory function, linked to Malta’s responsibilities as a Member State, covering monitoring and control activities, verification of procedures and expenditure incurred by Maltese project partners;
- a coordination function, supporting Programme implementation in Malta and carrying out information and outreach activities for potential beneficiaries, in cooperation with the Managing Authority and the Joint Secretariat.
Why is it important?
Because it ensures the proper implementation of the Programme in Malta, supports compliance with EU rules and facilitates the participation of Maltese organisations in cross-border cooperation projects.
Where is it based and who represents it?
Republic of Malta
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for European Funds, Social Dialogue and Consumer Protection
📍 The Oaks Business Centre – Block B
Triq Farsons, Hamrun – Malta
Director General
Anthony Camilleri
📞 Tel: +356 2200 1476
✉️ Email: anthony.c.camilleri@gov.mt
Funds and Programmes Division – Programmes and Projects
Chief Coordinator
Ms Abigail Camilleri
📞 Tel: +356 25552626
✉️ Email: abigail.b.camilleri@gov.mt
Funds and Programmes Division – Territorial Cooperation Unit
Senior Manager
Alison Mifsud Gilson
📞 Tel: +356 25552602
✉️ Email: alison.a.grech@gov.mt
Programme Manager – EU Funds
Maria Ellul Dimech
📞 Tel: +356 25552604
✉️ Email: maria.dimech.1@gov.mt
The Joint Secretariat is the operational body supporting the Managing Authority in the day-to-day implementation of the Interreg VI-A Italia–Malta Programme. It acts as the main contact point for beneficiaries, project partners and citizens.
What does it do?
In accordance with Article 23 of the European Territorial Cooperation (ETC) Regulation, the Joint Secretariat:
- supports the Managing Authority in carrying out its tasks;
- facilitates and ensures a fair and transparent project selection process;
- collects and manages financial, physical and statistical data for Programme monitoring and for interim and final evaluations;
- assesses project modification requests, preparing technical reports for the Steering Committee;
- implements and manages the Programme Information System available to all stakeholders.
Why is it important?
Because it ensures the smooth daily operation of the Programme and supports beneficiaries throughout all phases, from application to implementation, reporting and communication.