Blue Economy

The Working Group focuses on the blue economy, covering research, innovation and policy initiatives in marine, maritime and water systems with the intention to support members´ activities within these fields. Sustainability, economic development, climate adaptation and digital challenges related to the ocean, seas and water sectors are key issues for the Working Group. The group aims to foster participation in European funding programmes and initiatives and to build partnerships between members.

ERRIN Contact

Last Working Group Meetings

Previous Related ERRIN Working Group Meetings

Mission Soil: lessons learned and upcoming opportunities

Mission Soil: lessons learned and upcoming opportunities

Gianpiero Petruzziello

ERRIN Bioeconomy WG is organising an in-person meeting on 10 June 2024 from 15:00 to 17:00 to take stock of the latest developments on the Soil Mission.     This meeting aims to facilitate an in-

Policy & Smart Specialisation WGs meeting: Widening in FP10 and impact on cohesion policy post-2027

Policy & Smart Specialisation WGs meeting: Widening in FP10 and impact on cohesion policy post-2027

Ewa Chomicz

The topic of widening gathers high attention in the discussions around the next European Framework Programme for R&I, raising questions with the potential to influence not only the Widening sub-

Policy WG meeting: Role of EU Missions in FP10

Policy WG meeting: Role of EU Missions in FP10

Ewa Chomicz

ERRIN has been closely involved in the design and implementation of the EU Missions since their inception. Missions remain one of the network's priorities and were one of the four main areas of focus

WG Related Events

WG Related Events

Network of European Regions Using Space - General Assembly 2024

Invitation to the General Assembly of the Network Nereus - Network of European Regions Using Space. This year’s General Assembly will be built around two-panel debates focused on "Beyond the Horizon: "Attracting investments, businesses and smart brains in the light of the current framework for cohesion and structural policy 2021-2027” The event will take place in Brussels on 11 June, 11:00-17:30.

Mission Soil: lessons learned and upcoming opportunities

ERRIN Bioeconomy WG is organising an in-person meeting on 10 June 2024 from 15:00 to 17:00 to take stock of the latest developments on the Soil Mission. This meeting will facilitate an in-depth exchange among members about the EU Soil Mission, focusing on lessons learned and opportunities for member involvement. Please check the final agenda. Participants are invited to join the networking drinks after the meeting. 

An ambitious EU Chemicals Strategy and a broad PFAS restriction - a prerequisite for urban water resilience

Gothenburg European Office, EurEau and Svenskt Vatten invite you to their EU Green Week Partner Event: An ambitious EU Chemicals Strategy and a broad PFAS restriction – a requisite for urban water resilience, discussing which key actions we see as necessary for tackling PFAS pollution in our water bodies. The event will take place in Brussels, on 04 June, 14:00-16:15 CEST.

HOOP Policy Conference: What barriers and drivers for the transition to local circular bioeconomy systems?

The HOOP Policy Conference, taking place on 4-5 June at the Committee of the Regions in Brussels, will discuss the barriers and drivers for the transition to local circular bioeconomy systems. This conference will bring cities and regions together to discuss and learn about implementing innovative circular bioeconomy solutions. A dedicated policy session will allow cities to voice their concerns and challenges to EU institutions and federations. Registration is open until 24 May.

Bio2REG workshop: 'How to successfully fund bioeconomy transition transition'

BIO2REG is organising its expert workshop focussing on how to fund the transition to a bioeconomy model in regions. This workshop will take place online on 4 June 2024 from 13:00 to 16:00 CEST.

Innovative & Resilient Water Basin Management for Cities & Regions

This EU Green Week event will allow participants to learn directly from the rapporteur’s expert on the Committee of the Regions' water resilience opinion. This will be followed by water resilience case studies featuring technology and nature-based solutions from across Europe. The event will take place in Brussels on 31 May, 09:30-12:00.

WG Documents

WG Documents

ERRIN Year in review 2022

The ERRIN Year in review 2022 is out! Read the report to see the numerous activities ERRIN and its members have been involved in throughout the year.

ERRIN input to the Ocean and Waters Mission Implementation Charter

The Blue Economy Working Group has prepared an input to the Ocean and Waters Mission Implementation Charter, which has been submitted to the Mission Secretariat.

ERRIN input paper on a future EU Algae Strategy

ERRIN's input paper on a potential EU Algae Strategy, highlighting the challenges and opportunities of such a strategy at a regional and local level.

ERRIN input to the future EU Algae Strategy - Draft

A drafting group has prepared a first version of the ERRIN input to the future EU Algae Strategy.

Blue Bioeconomy Forum - Roadmap for the blue bioeconomy

The Blue Bioeconomy Forum was set up in 2018 as a platform for entrepreneurs, researchers, government officials and other stakeholder to further develop the blue bioeconomy.

WG Related Content

WG Related Content

Water4All Partnership 2024 Call Pre-Announcement: Water for Circular Economy

The Horizon Europe co-funded partnership ‘Water4All’ has pre-announced the opening of the Joint Transnational Call for research and innovation projects on ‘Water for Circular Economy’ on 12 September 2024.

ERRIN Paper Series: Towards the 10th Framework Programme - EU Missions

ERRIN is pleased to launch a series of input papers on the 10th Framework Programme, with this paper focusing on EU Missions. ERRIN has been closely involved in the design and implementation of the EU Missions since their inception, making them a priority for the network. This input paper on the role of EU Missions in FP10 has been created with contributions from ERRIN members and their ecosystems.

The pivotal role of regions and industry for a thriving bioeconomy: ERRIN - BIC joint position paper

ERRIN, through its Bioeconomy WG, and the Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC) have jointly released a position paper outlining a proposal for the most pressing actions for the European bioeconomy to be tackled during the upcoming European Commission mandate period.

3rd REINFORCING Open Call on EU Missions

The REINFORCING project has opened a call to support organisations and territories that actively contribute to the EU Missions by engaging relevant stakeholders, including citizens, in the R&I process and/or policies connected to one of the Missions. Successful proposals will receive up to 60,000 euros to implement a 12-month project. The deadline for submitting proposals is 26 September 2024.

ERRIN two-pager for European decision-makers

ERRIN is pleased to share a two-pager for the incoming European decision-makers, aiming to present the network and our value to the new MEPs, raising a voice for the importance of place-based R&I in the changing landscape. We encourage all ERRIN members to share the document with their MEPs to introduce ERRIN and the value of place-based R&I.

Over 70 ERRIN member regions announced as Regional Innovation Valleys

On 19 June, the Commission announced the 151 regions identified as Regional Innovation Valleys following the call for EoI and calls for proposals in 2023. 75 successful regions come from ERRIN members. RIVs will aim to strengthen the regional innovation ecosystems, bridge the innovation gap and improve Europe's overall innovation performance. New calls for proposals under Horizon Europe are expected in 2025.

Latest Updates

  • By Ewa Chomicz

Over 70 ERRIN member regions announced as Regional Innovation Valleys

On 19 June, the Commission announced the 151 regions identified as Regional Innovation Valleys following the call for EoI and calls for proposals in 2023. 75 successful regions come from ERRIN members. RIVs will aim to strengthen the regional innovation ecosystems, bridge the innovation gap and improve Europe's overall innovation performance. New calls for proposals under Horizon Europe are expected in 2025.

  • By Gianpiero Petruzziello

HuMUS Project selected 20 local and regional soil health pilots

The HuMUS project has selected the 20 local and regional soil health pilots, including 10 located in ERRIN member regions, that will be supported to enhance participatory methods and tools for soil quality and health governance. The results of the calls were announced for the first time during ERRIN’s Bioeconomy WG meeting on the 'Mission Soil: lessons learned and upcoming opportunities'. Learn more about the outcomes of the call.

  • By Astrid Hannes

Waterfront cities, regions and island regions to join consortium for "Support for the Coalition of waterfront cities, regions and islands for Mission Ocean and Waters"

A project coordinator is looking for partners to finalise its consortium for the call "Support for the Coalition of waterfront cities, regions and islands for Mission Ocean and Waters" (HORIZON-MISS-2024-OCEAN-02-02). Waterfront city, one region, and one island region, interested in leading the co-designing process of the Coalition are invited to express their interest by Monday 17 June.

  • By Silvia Ghiretti

Systemic and cross-sectoral solutions for climate resilience - Seeking for replicator regions

A project coordinator is looking for ''replicator'' regions to finalise its consortium for the call ''Systemic and cross-sectoral solutions for climate resilience, tailored to the local needs of regions and local authorities'' (HORIZON-MISS-2024-CLIMA-01-09).

  • By Ewa Chomicz

Showcase your EU-funded project at the ERA Conference on 18-19 September 2024

Would you like to showcase your EU-funded project to an audience of key European stakeholders? In preparation for the high-level ERA Conference on 18-19 September 2024, INSPIRING ERA is looking for innovative and impactful projects that have made significant contributions to the European Research Area. Call for proposals is open until 7 June.

  • By Aki Ishiwa

Cohesion policy post-2027 - letter from regions to President Von der Leyen - support by 30 May

A letter was addressed last week to Ursula von der Leyen with the support of 111 European regions, ERRIN and CPMR, requesting a meeting with the aim of defending the future of the cohesion policy. Given the wish of other regions to adhere, the letter is planned to be resent at the end of this week - interested regions are invited to provide their logos by Thursday 30 May.