Earlier this month, Mission Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030 (Ocean and Waters Mission) organised together with CINEA an online information session on the concept and opportunities of Associated Regions within the Mission. Although regions have been identified as one of the key actors in the Mission, their involvement and engagement is still limited.

One of the opportunities for regions to engage in the Ocean and Waters Mission, presented in the Horizon Europe programme, is to become an Associated Region in one of the funded Mission projects. Selected Associated Regions will receive a grant of up to €100 000 to replicate and scale up solutions for ecosystem and biodiversity restoration developed and tested by the Mission projects. The specific activities that can be financed depend on the nature of the project.

Associated Regions should have similar ecosystems as the ones participating in the project, but should not come from a Member State or Associated Country that already is represented in the project consortium. More information can be found in the slides presented at the webinar and the recording.

Please find below some current and upcoming opportunities to become an Associated Region in one of the Mission projects.

• REMEDIES (Co-creating strong uptake of REMEDIES for the future of our oceans through deploying plastic litter valorisation and prevention pathways)
  • Call deadline 15 November 2023
• OLAMUR (Offshore Low-trophic Aquaculture in Multi-Use Scenario Realisation)
  • Call planned for November 2023
• INSPIRE (Innovative Solutions for Plastic Free European Rivers)
  • Call planned for June 2024
• iMERMAID (Innovative solutions for Mediterranean Ecosystem Remediation via Monitoring and decontamination from Chemical Pollution)
  • Calls planned for August 2024 and June 2025
• DALIA (Danube Region Water Lighthouse Action)
  • Call planned for September 2024