Towards a Blue MFF: ERRIN in the SBEP High-Level Workshop at European Maritime Day 2026

Towards a Blue MFF: ERRIN in the SBEP High-Level Workshop at European Maritime Day 2026

The Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership will host a workshop at European Maritime Day 2026 in Limassol on 22 May to examine how the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework can better support Europe's ocean ambitions. The session builds on the momentum of the European Ocean Pact, which highlights the need for coherent action and long-term investment across environmental, political, economic and social dimensions. 

The workshop will explore what a 'blue' MFF should entail and how future EU programmes can align with the Ocean Pact's objectives. Of particular relevance to regional authorities, discussions will consider how ocean priorities can be embedded in upcoming National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRPPs), a key lever for channelling EU structural and cohesion funding towards coastal, maritime and blue economy goals at the territorial level. The session will also address how ocean research and innovation should be positioned within FP10 and the European Competitiveness Fund, and what forms of community mobilisation and investment structures are needed at EU, national and regional levels to support ocean stewardship.

The programme will include a high-level keynote, followed by a panel discussion and an interactive debate. The session is expected to bring together perspectives from the European Parliament, the European Commission's DG MARE, regional networks and civil society organisations.

ERRIN will be represented at the workshop by Søren Heinecke (co-leader of the Blue Economy Working Group), who will bring the regional angle to discussions, in particular on how NRPPs can be designed to reflect ocean and blue economy priorities and how regions can position themselves as active partners in the implementation of the Ocean Pact.

Overall, the workshop aims to contribute to the broader reflection on Europe's ocean investment needs and the mechanisms required to underpin a sustainable, resilient and knowledge-driven blue economy. Registration is available here