European Ocean Days: Collaboration for acting on Ocean and Waters

European Ocean Days: Collaboration for acting on Ocean and Waters

The European Ocean Days 2026 is a week-long event (2–6 March 2026) that brings Europe’s blue community together to shape the future of ocean and waters. Strongly linked with the EU Mission Restore Our Ocean and Waters, this multi-stakeholder event offers a platform to align research & innovation policy, investment and community engagement around the shared goals of fighting pollution, restoring ecosystems and accelerating a transition toward a carbon-neutral, circular blue economy.

The event fosters collaboration among policymakers, industry leaders, innovators, scientists, regions and civil society. Consultations, high-level dialogues, workshops and networking span over five days between the European Commission’s Charlemagne Building and the SPARKS Conference Centre.

Event highlights for ERRIN members:

Tuesday 3 March – 2nd Stakeholder Consultation for the European Ocean Research and Innovation Strategy

Co-design the EU Ocean R&I Strategy with diverse stakeholders, including public authorities, research organisations, industry and NGOs.

Wednesday 4 March – Together for change: A Coalition to empower communities for Mission Ocean and Waters

Celebratory, fully interactive event spotlighting regional, urban, island and port communities driving local ocean and water initiatives.

Wednesday 4 March – Stakeholder consultation for the European Water Resilience R&I Strategy

Presentation and consultation on the draft strategy to strengthen water resilience across EU policy and research.

Thursday 5 March – 4th Mission Ocean and Waters Forum

Annual Mission Forum reviewing progress, mobilising actors, showcasing solutions and discussing strategic steps forward.

Friday 6 March – Towards an EU Strategy for Coastal Communities

Stakeholder dialogue to shape a comprehensive strategy supporting coastal regions’ socio-economic and climate resilience.

Friday 6 March – From Actions to Impact: Tracking the Mission’s Progress

Workshop focusing on monitoring frameworks and Mission impact assessments under current and future funding instruments. By invitation only

Friday 6 March – European Ocean Days Networking Session

Informal closing gathering for reflection, networking and forming new partnerships.

More information and programme

Registration

ERRIN’s interest in the EU Ocean Days relies on its commitment to strengthening the regional dimension of European water policy, in particular through the Blue Economy Working Group. In this context, both the EU Water Resilience Strategy and the EU Ocean Pact have been closely monitored over the past year and remain key priorities on the network’s agenda.

This focus aligns with ERRIN’s ongoing engagement in the Mission Restore our Ocean and Waters, where the network has consistently highlighted the role of regions and contributed to implementation through its participation in the Mission Charter, the MIP Ocean Platform and projects such as CO-WATERS and BlueActionBANOS.