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.

Last Working Group Meetings

Previous Related ERRIN Working Group Meetings

ERRIN Natural Resources and Adaptation Cluster kick-off meeting

ERRIN Natural Resources and Adaptation Cluster kick-off meeting

Gianpiero Petruzziello

ERRIN Natural Resources and Adaptation Cluster is organising its kick-off meeting on 3 February from 14:30 to 17:00 (with networking drinks afterwards).    This informal and interactive meeting will

The Nature Restoration Law: restoration of marine and freshwater ecosystems

The Nature Restoration Law: restoration of marine and freshwater ecosystems

Astrid Hannes

With the Nature Restoration Law adopted this year by all EU Member States, the coming year will mark the start of early stages of implementation. Many of the law's objectives pertain to marine

Sustainable Food Systems: Funding instruments and upcoming opportunities for regional and local authorities

Sustainable Food Systems: Funding instruments and upcoming opportunities for regional and local authorities

Gianpiero Petruzziello

The Bioeconomy Working Group is organising an in-person information session on the funding instruments and collaboration opportunities offered at the European level on Sustainable Food Systems. The

WG Related Events

WG Related Events

IWA Resource Recovery conference 2025

IWA Conference Resource Recovery 2025 will be hosted by Wetsus in Leeuwarden, The Netherlands. Experts worldwide will attend this unique event, which will showcase the upscaling of resources recovered from water. All recovered elements, ranging from Bioplastics to Nutrients, and from Lithium to Ironphosphate are in scope. The conference builds on the 5th IWA Resource Recovery conference, hosted in Shenzhen, China.

European Climate Pact Flagship Event 2025 – Together for Action

The European Commission is organising the European Climate Pact Flagship Event 2025 on 19 March, where climate action takes center stage. This event will bring together stakeholders from across Europe to accelerate climate action, highlight successful initiatives and forge new partnerships for a sustainable future.

Save the date: European Ocean Days 2025

The European Commission is organising the 2nd edition of European Ocean Days, taking place from 3 to 7 March 2025 in Brussels.

ERRIN Natural Resources and Adaptation Cluster kick-off meeting

ERRIN Natural Resources and Adaptation Cluster is organising its kick-off meeting on 3 February from 14:30 to 17:00 (with networking drinks afterwards).   This informal and interactive meeting will offer an opportunity for all members to connect, network and engage with the planned activities of the Bioeconomy Working Group, the Blue Economy Working Group and the Adaptation Task Force for 2025. 

The Polish Council Presidency 2025 - Priorities and Challenges

The partner regions Wielkopolska and Hessen are organising a lunchtime event: The Polish Council Presidency 2025 – Priorities and Challenges on 23 January 2025 at 13:00 (light lunch as of 12.30) at the Multiple Regions House, 21, Rue Montoyer in Brussels.

IGLO Open on the Polish Presidency: programme and R&I priorities

The 'IGLO Open on the Polish Presidency: programme and R&I priorities' will take place on Wednesday 22 January 2025. The event, hosted by the PolSCA PAS Office in Brussels, will be held at the NCBR/BSP Office in Brussels.

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

The Competitiveness Compass for the EU is out

On 29 January the European Commission presented the Competitiveness Compass, the first major initiative of this mandate providing a strategic framework to steer the Commission's work. The Compass is composed of three transformational imperatives - innovation, decarbonisation and security - to boost competitiveness, and five horizontal enablers necessary to underpin competitiveness across all sectors.

A joint call for stronger political leadership of the EU Missions

ERRIN, alongside Eurocities, ICLEI Europe, Energy Cities and Resilient Cities Network, has sent a joint letter to Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera Rodríguez, urging her to take political ownership of the EU Missions as part of her leadership on Europe’s Clean, Just and Competitive Transition.

Transform Europe’s Water Sector: Join the EIT Water Call

The European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT) has launched a call for proposals to establish a new Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC) focused on water, marine and maritime innovation. With a starting budget of up to EUR 5 million, this is a unique opportunity for consortia of businesses, researchers and educators to shape Europe’s water future.

Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking: 2025 funding priorities announced

The Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) has published its Annual Work Programme for 2025, including information about the next call for project proposals. The call for proposals will open on 4 April 2025 and the call deadline is foreseen for 17 September 2025.

ERRIN's Autumn General Meeting 2024

On 5 December, ERRIN hosted its Autumn General Meeting, where members reflected on 2024’s accomplishments, endorsed the 2025 budget and welcomed four new Management Board members. The meeting provided a platform to celebrate achievements, discuss priorities for the year ahead, and prepare for a new EU political cycle.

SpongeWorks project: open call for regions to scale up innovative solutions for land and water management

The SpongeWork project, funded under the HORIZON-MISS-2023-CLIMA-OCEAN-SOIL-01-01 call, has opened a call for regions to scale up innovative solutions for land and water management. The deadline to apply is 31 January 2025.

Latest Updates

  • By Gianpiero Petruzziello

SpongeWorks project: open call for regions to scale up innovative solutions for land and water management

The SpongeWork project, funded under the HORIZON-MISS-2023-CLIMA-OCEAN-SOIL-01-01 call, has opened a call for regions to scale up innovative solutions for land and water management. The deadline to apply is 31 January 2025.

  • By Astrid Hannes

Second CCRI Call for cities and regions: join the mentoring programme and receive tailored support for your circular economy transition journey

The Community of the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI), one of ERRIN's projects, is growing. The CCRI Knowlegde Hub has a second call open for cities and regions to join the mentoring programme and receive tailored support for their circular transition journey. The start of the mentoring programme for this second group of cities and regions is scheduled for September 2025.

  • By Gianpiero Petruzziello

EU Bioeconomy Strategy Update: Call for members inputs

ERRIN Bioeconomy WG is looking for regional inputs on the EU Bioeconomy Strategy Update. Share your inputs by Friday 20 December to ensure your region’s voice shapes the future strategy.

  • By Astrid Hannes

Have your say about the forthcoming Community of Practice of the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative

The Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI) will launch a new Community of Practice in early 2025 for cities and regions not currently part of the CCRI Pilot and Fellow groups. ERRIN members are invited to contribute regional perspectives on circular economy challenges by joining upcoming focus groups organised by ICLEI on 26 November, 2 December, and 4 December.

  • By Ewa Chomicz

Management Board elections 2024 – results

Following the call for nominations for ERRIN Management Board held between 3 and 17 October, we are happy to announce the nominated Management Board members. The four nominees will be approved as new Management Board members at the ERRIN Autumn General Meeting on 5 December.

  • By Maria Bostrom

Call for expression of interest: Clusters Meet Regions

The European Cluster Collaboration Platform, on behalf of the European Commission, invites national and regional authorities, cluster organisations, and economic development agencies to apply to host one of the 10 ‘Clusters Meet Regions’ workshops planned for 2025. The next deadline for making your application is 20 December 2024.