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

Delivering the European Green Deal - towards a coherent and integrated EU ocean policy framework for offshore renewable wind energy and biodiversity

The European Green Deal (EGD) brings forth a comprehensive set of objectives and targets that are relevant to the use and protection of our oceans. A major challenge is the realisation of these ocean-related objectives. Current governance landscapes are multi-sector, multilevel and complex, and the pathway towards the achievement of the EGD ambitions for the European seas is not straightforward. In this roundtable, we will discuss the role of policy coherence and institutional integration in delivering the EGD, with a focus on offshore wind energy and biodiversity.

Risks and Solutions: How climate change is impacting our water and health

The EEA will release a report on 15 May titled "Responding to climate change impacts on human health in Europe: focus on floods, droughts and water quality". The report, produced under the European Climate and Health Observatory, aims to help policymakers understand the effects of floods, droughts, and water quality on human health due to climate change.

Navigating ERRIN’s Project Development Tool – Training session

With the recent launch of its Project Development Tool (PDT), ERRIN is organising a training session for its members and stakeholders based in the regions to leverage its full potential. The session will take place online on Tuesday 7 May 2024 from 14:00 to 15:00. 

EU Missions Info Days 2024

On 25 and 26 April, the European Commission is organising Info Days dedicated to the EU Missions 2024 calls for proposals. The event will provide potential applicants with information on the new topics included in the EU Missions work programme 2024 under Horizon Europe. An update on the implementation of each Mission will also be provided.

Policy WG meeting: Role of EU Missions in FP10

ERRIN has been actively working on the topic of EU Missions as one of the network's priorities. As we continue preparations towards the next European Framework Programme for R&I, the upcoming Policy Working Group meeting will focus on the role of EU Missions in FP10. The event will take place in person at the ERRIN premises on 23 April from 14:00-16:00.

Co-creation and citizen engagement in EU Missions Workshop

ERRIN is supporting the REINFORCING project in organising an interactive workshop aimed at exploring the challenges and needs faced by cities and regions regarding citizen engagement within the EU Missions. The project will support organisations financially with specific training, capacity-building sessions, mentoring opportunities and peer learning. The workshop will be organised on 23 April between 11:30-13:00 at ERRIN’s office.

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.