Overseas
With the launch of its thematic call on the Sustainable Blue Economy, the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership officially moves into the core phase of its Horizon Europe activities. The initiative involves 74 research centres from 30 countries alongside the European Commission, aiming to create a network of ongoing projects that, between 2026 and 2028, will strengthen innovation, resilience, and sustainability across the maritime sector.
The call focuses on two strategic priorities. The first targets innovation and digitalisation in low-impact small-scale fisheries, with the goal of enhancing a segment often overlooked but essential for the diversity and quality of local seafood production. The second addresses sustainability in the seaweed sector and the circularity of the blue bioeconomy, an area experiencing rapid growth with applications ranging from food to cosmetics, bioplastics to natural fertilisers.
Selected projects will be featured in “thematic maps”, ensuring international visibility, privileged access to expert networks, and participation in key partnership events. The approach is designed to foster concrete synergies between industry, research, public authorities, and civil society, building a collaborative ecosystem capable of influencing European maritime policy.
Eligibility criteria require that projects:
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Be active during 2026–2028
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Have public funding at EU, national, or regional level
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Be directly linked to one or more European sea basins, such as the Mediterranean, Black Sea, Baltic Sea, North Sea, or Atlantic.
The deadline for expressions of interest is 30 October 2025, with selected projects to be announced in December. The initiative seeks to generate a critical mass of experiences and results, enabling shared solutions to common challenges and supporting the transition toward a more integrated, sustainable, and competitive blue economy.
This first thematic call of the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership represents a strategic opportunity for all European projects engaged in innovative small-scale fisheries and algae value chains, paving the way for structured, results-driven international cooperation.
Stakeholders with an active project in 2026–2028 should strongly consider applying: this call could be the key to expanding expertise, networks, and visibility at a European level.
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