Faces of Interreg: Pilar Maza on leading an Interreg programme

Seven questions for Pilar Maza

What led you to work in Interreg or in European cooperation?

I’ve always been very interested in international affairs, travelling and learning about other cultures: we all learn a great deal from one another. Furthermore, cross-border cooperation is necessary and comes naturally when you live near the border.

If you had to define Interreg to a citizen using only three words, which would they be?

It is a tool for removing cross-border barriers and eliminating the border effect.

What impact of Interreg (on a territory or a community) has impressed you the most?

All the initiatives aimed at overcoming major obstacles for citizens living on both sides of the Pyrenean border: a cross-border hospital in La Cerdanya, the pooling of resources to clear roads when there is heavy snow, and collaboration between services (fire services, emergency services, law enforcement agencies, etc.). There are still many obstacles to overcome, and progress continues to be made on them.

What does your job involve day-to-day? In this sense, what’s harder than people think?

My role is to coordinate the SC’s technical team in order to: support all the programme’s bodies; draft programme documents – manuals, procedures and evaluations; monitor physical and financial implementation; provide support to beneficiaries and projects; and deliver training to equip them with the necessary project management skills. The most challenging aspects are usually planning within a multicultural and multi-tasking environment, as well as supporting the POCTEFA programme’s governance.

In such a demanding role, what is the one hobby or ritual that keeps you grounded?

Outside work: yoga and sport. At work: short breaks with a cup of tea and a bit of fun shared with the team. If you could have dinner with any founding figure of the EU, who would it be and what would you ask them about today’s Europe?

If you could have dinner with any founding figure of the EU, who would it be and what would you ask them about today’s Europe?

Without hesitation: Simone Veil. She may not be one of the EU’s founding figures, but she was certainly one of its key architects and the first female President of the European Parliament. I would ask her how Europe can remain united while defending its core values in the face of today’s challenges.

What is the one personal contribution you want to be remembered for in the European world?

I have no ambition to be remembered at European level: I would just like my team-mates and those close to me to be happy to spend time and work alongside me.