Today, the Commission announced investments of €126.9 million in 26 new projects that will contribute to the EU’s mission to ‘Restore our oceans and waters’. The projects will involve 346 beneficiaries from 35 countries (26 Member States and 9 Associated Countries), including SMEs, research institutions, local authorities, higher and secondary education institutions. Actions will take place from the Baltic and the North Sea to the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, but also in the Danube and the Black Sea.

Through Horizon Europe announcements, the oceans mission supports European communities whose well-being depends on the health of oceans and waters, helping them to become resilient, climate-neutral and adapt to future developments. The projects will bring many and varied benefits to local communities. e.g. better management of Danube sediments, protection and restoration of natural lake ecosystems, as well as the biodiversity of the Atlantic and Arctic sea basins, and improving the energy efficiency of small-scale fishing fleets.

The projects were selected following calls for proposals published in 2023 and evaluated by independent experts. The projects will be managed by the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) and the Research Executive Agency (REA).

Nikos Andritsos