Blue Action Banos: a new project empowering Communities to Restore our Ocean and Waters

Blue Action Banos: a new project empowering Communities to Restore our Ocean and Waters

BlueActionBanos: a new project empowering Communities to Restore our Ocean and Waters 

A new BlueActionBANOS has kicked off, marking a new chapter in the EU’s Mission 'Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030' by shifting from an initial phase of research and pilot projects to a second phase where focus is on upscaling solutions by supporting community-led initiatives and local transitions. This four-year project, in which ERRIN and several stakeholders located in ERRIN member regions are involved, puts communities at the heart of ocean and water restoration and is led by the Submariner Network.  

Cascade funding grants, expert guidance and hands-on support

By providing cascade funding, expert guidance, and hands-on support, the project will empower communities across the Baltic and North Sea regions to implement innovative solutions that address pollution, restore ecosystems, and accelerate the transition to a carbon-neutral and circular blue economy. With BlueActionBANOS, the project consortium aims to turn ambition into action, as the project is about enabling communities to lead the way in restoring our oceans and waters. We will not only provide funding but also aim to build lasting capacity by supporting with expertise and facilitating collaboration

To ensure that communities can take action, BlueActionBANOS offers three types of support: 

  •  Community-led Action Grants. Local or sectoral communities can apply for grants ranging from €200,000 to €2 million to undertake action-oriented projects that address pollution, restore marine ecosystems, or promote sustainable blue economy practices. These projects should have a long-term impact and serve as inspiration for other communities. Each selected project will receive tailored support to help with planning, implementation, and access to expert knowledge. 
     
  • Transition Agenda Grants. Up to 20 communities will receive up to €100,000 each to develop action plans to guide the transformation in a concrete sector and/or region, called 'transition agendas'. These plans help communities establish clear goals for sustainability and climate adaptation, ensuring their efforts align with EU policies and the European Green Deal. The process involves expert input and national coordination to ensure the plans are both ambitious and achievable. 
     
  • Technical Assistance. All participating communities will benefit from a wide range of support services, including personalised mentoring and expert advice, peer-to-peer learning, workshops and participation in expert forums across Europe. 

Opening of cascade funding calls: end of November

The open calls will be launched at the end of November 2025. Interested communities and stakeholders are encouraged to follow the BlueActionBANOS LinkedIn page and check the project website, which will go live by the end of November, for updates and application details.  

In addition to the support measures, the project places great emphasis on fostering collaboration, knowledge exchange and long-term impact. Through the BlueBioMatch platform, communities will connect with peers, funders, and policymakers to share experiences and scale successful solutions. 

The project was officially launched with a kick-off meeting in Nyborg, Denmark, from 25–26 September 2025, bringing together the consortium of 18 partners from all BANOS countries to align on strategy, implementation and community engagement priorities. 

Discover more about ERRIN's role in the project on the BlueActionBanos project page and follow BlueActionBANOS on LinkedIn.  

Facts about BlueActionBANOS 

BlueActionBANOS is a four-year project funded by the European Union. Running from 1 September 2025 to 31 August 2029, the initiative aims to mobilise and provide practical and easily accessible support to a diverse set of established or emerging communities of actors across the Baltic and North Sea (BANOS) region to implement innovative and impactful actions and measures to restore our ocean, seas and waters. The project brings together 18 partners from Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands and Poland. The project is coordinated by the SUBMARINER Network for Blue Growth EEIG.  

ERRIN's Blue Economy Working Group will be following this project closely in 2026 and will offer a platform for sharing experiences from the BANOS lighthouse to the wider ERRIN membership.