The European Commission launched a new call for proposals funded under the European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF). With EUR 5.7 million, the call for proposals seeks to fund regional flagships projects supporting sustainable blue economy in EU sea basins for Smart Specialisation, as well Regenerative Ocean Farming and Algae Innovation.

European seas and coasts have great potential to foster innovation and technological development. The EU blue economy is poised for growth over the coming years, driven by the transition to a sustainable and circular economy, the ambitious net-zero climate targets and a focus on innovation and research.

Topics of the call

This call for proposals covers two topics that aim to support the development of a sustainable blue economy in the EU:

Maritime regional cooperation fostering Smart Specialisation and Innovation in the Sustainable Blue Economy (Topic 1):

• This topic aims to support and animate the Smart Specialisation (S3) thematic platform for sustainable blue economy. Projects will carry out activities to set up and strengthen strategic interregional partnerships that develop and implement highly innovative solutions addressing priorities in the EU sustainable blue economy.
• The targeted blue economy sectors are the following: fisheries, aquaculture, marine renewable energy, blue biotechnology, coastal and maritime tourism.
• Geographical scope of activities: Black Sea, the Atlantic and the Western Mediterranean Sea basins as well as the EU Outermost regions marine areas.

Demonstrating feasibility and environmental benefits of regenerative ocean farming and boosting algae innovation (Topic 2)

• This topic aims to prove the feasibility and viability of setting up and operating ocean farms across various EU marine regions. Projects should measure and quantify environmental benefits of regenerative farming of either local seaweed species or seaweed in combination with shellfish and spur algae innovation by supporting its development and bringing to market new algae-based products and services.
• Geographical scope of activities: Black Sea, Baltic Sea, North Sea, the Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea basins as well as the EU Outermost regions marine areas.

Deadline to apply?

Applicants can submit their proposals until 18 February 2025, 17:00 CET.