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.

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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

Info days on the LIFE 2024 calls 

The Info Days on the LIFE 2024 calls for proposals will take place from 23 to 26 April. Registration is open until 8 April. These info days will guide potential applicants through the new calls for proposals, the priority themes for 2024 and the four LIFE sub-programmes.

ERRIN Intro Coffee

The ERRIN Secretariat team is pleased to invite you to the ERRIN Intro Coffee, aiming to offer a brief, to-the-point introduction to ERRIN and its services, as well as facilitate networking between members. We especially encourage new network members and colleagues to take part, but all interested members are welcome. Join us in person at ERRIN on 19 April!

Cities & regions getting ahead with the circular transition – a WCEF2024 accelerator session

The European Commission’s Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI), in which ERRIN is involved, is co-organising the session ‘how EU cities and regions are getting ahead with the circular transition’ during the World Circular Economy Forum 2024.

European Research and Innovation Days (R&I Days) 2024

The European Commission’s annual flagship research and innovation event will take place on 20 and 21 March 2024, both physically in Brussels and online. The R&I Days 2024 will give you the opportunity to debate how we can make Europe more sustainable and competitive and will celebrate the outcomes and achievements in research and innovation since the launch of the first R&I Framework Programme over 40 years ago.

ERRIN R&I Days networking reception

On the occasion of the European R&I Week, we would like to warmly invite you to a networking reception on 19 March from 18:00-20:30 at the ERRIN premises in Brussels (Rue du Luxembourg 3). On the eve of the EU R&I Days 2024, ERRIN wishes to bring together local and regional R&I enthusiasts from our community across Europe to meet up and discuss the way forward with the EU R&I policy and funding.  

Biodiversity and Marine Protection in EUSAIR: A Contribution to EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030

The Slovenian Business & Research Association is hosting an event "Biodiversity and Marine Protection in EUSAIR: A contribution to EU biodiversity strategy 2030".The event will focus on biodiversity and marine protection set within the expansive scope of the European Union Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR). Additionally, the event will present a tentative contribution to implementing the ambitious EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030.

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 Agnieszka Wieczorek Jetha

Calls for Expression of Interest - Joint Research Centre’s EU Policy Lab

The Joint Research Centre’s EU Policy lab has opened two calls for local and regional authorities. The first call looks at packaging, waste sorting or waste sorting labels in the European Union. The second one calls for innovation, design or policy labs interested in water resilience.

  • By Ewa Chomicz

A look forward: Launching ERRIN reflections on regional dimension in R&I post-2027

Autumn 2023 marked the start of ERRIN’s targeted reflections on regional dimension in research and innovation in the new EU Multiannual Financial Framework post-2027, relating to the next EU Framework Programme for R&I (FP10) and future cohesion policy. We are offering a recap of our activities so far, first messages and planned next steps.

  • By Heidi Johansson

Associated Regions in the Ocean and Waters Mission

Earlier this month, Mission Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030 organised together with CINEA an online information session on the concept and opportunities of Associated Regions within the Mission. Find here more information on the concept as well as the slides and recording from the session.

  • By Ewa Chomicz

Management Board elections 2023 – results

Following the call for nominations for ERRIN Management Board held between 20 September and 5 October, we are happy to announce the nominated Management Board members. The five nominees will be approved as new Management Board members at the ERRIN Extraordinary General Meeting on 16 November.

  • By Agnieszka Wieczorek Jetha

ERRIN at the EWRC 2023

The European Week of Cities and Regions (EWRC) has come to an end. This year’s edition has been particularly rich in ERRIN’s involvement, with the Secretariat co-organising four events, promoting projects, and the Working Group Leaders participating in several panel discussions.

  • By Agnieszka Wieczorek Jetha

Shape ERRIN's agenda 2024 - Annual Member Survey

In view of the annual strategy workshops that we will organise with all the Working Group (WG) and Task Force (TF) leaders in the second half of November, all members are invited to provide input on priorities, topics, and activities that should be addressed in 2024.