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Poster announcing EU sea basins strategies presence at EMD 2024

EU Sea Basins Strategies featured at the European Maritime Day 2024

Set against the picturesque backdrop of Svendborg, Denmark, this annual event, hosted at the International Maritime Academy (SIMAC), promises to be enlighting for the maritime world.

On May 30-31, EMD 2024 will attract Ocean Leaders from across Europe to converge, deliberate, and establish collaborations focused on addressing pressing challenges and promising opportunities within the blue economy and marine ecosystem.

Kickstarting the festivities on May 30, the High-Level event on the main stage will feature prominent policymakers, including Charlina Vitcheva, Director General at DG MARE, along with representatives from Denmark, France, Portugal, and Moldova. This session, scheduled from 10:30 to 11:45, will spotlight the remarkable success of the EU Sea Basin Strategies as pivotal drivers of the Blue Economy, offering valuable insights into fostering sustainable maritime growth.

Later that day, from 15:00 to 16:15, a workshop led by the Sea Basins Assistance Mechanism (that includes the WestMED, Atlantic and Black Sea) will disclose synergies amongst EU « blue » initiatives. Expert speakers from EU4OCEAN, Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership, and the Energy Transition Partnership for EU fisheries and aquaculture will shed light on collaborative pathways for sustainable marine development.

EMD 2024 serves as an interactive in-person conference and exhibition. A place where businesses, governments, NGOs, academia, and EU citizens connect and discover. Through engaging discussions, workshops, and pitch sessions, stakeholders actively help shape the maritime agenda, tackle current challenges, and chart a course for future opportunities.

Join us in Svendborg and be a part of this dynamic exchange. Register now!

International Ocean Institute poster with 50 yeras logo and 3 sea related images

Collaboration between WestMED Malta and the International Ocean Institute, headquartered in Malta

On April 4 2024, the Maltese WestMED National Hub, Dr. Stephanie Vella and Ms. Stephanie Bugeja, met with the International Ocean Institute (IOI), represented by Ms. Antonella Vassallo, its managing director and their project officer Mr Cosmin Nicolae Chivu.

Since its foundation in 1972 by Professor Elisabeth Mann Borghese, the IOI has grown into a world leading independent, non-governmental non-profit organisation conducting training and capacity building in Ocean Governance with the aim of creating knowledgeable future leaders. It has a tremendous network of 10 centres and 21 focal points around the world, and is headquartered in Malta.

The IOI enjoys special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and consultative status at some of UN’s Specialized Agencies

The scope of the meeting was to explore areas of collaboration between the WestMED and IOI. Especially because ‘improved maritime governance’ is one of WestMED’s leading goals. The identified areas are mainly related to helping IOI’s vast ocean governance knowledge and networks expand to the wider WestMED region, find potential funding opportunities to allow better access through scholarships and mutually promote each other’s initiatives for the benefit of stakeholders in the region.

IOI trains young and mid-career practitioners in contemporary approaches to coastal and ocean management, with an emphasis on the moral, ethical and legal values in Ocean Governance (equity and peaceful uses of the ocean). As a knowledge-based institution the IOI offers a number of training courses which can benefit stakeholders within the WestMED.

Of particular importance is the training programme on Regional Ocean Governance for the Mediterranean, Black,  Baltic and Caspian seas; organised in close collaboration with the University of Malta. Next to this, the IOI also organises the Ocean Academy Course on Ocean literacy in order to empower stakeholders become more active and positively influence their communities and beyond. These courses are offered periodically through the year.

Last but not least, IOI produces publications on current scientific, legal and policy developments and participates in the development of national and international ocean governance agendas, whereby WestMED’s experience can be of great use.

For more information contact the national hub Malta

 

Overview of IOI publications
Overview of IOI’s World Ocean Review editions.  Visit the website to download free of charge

Leonardo Manzari and Irene Alonso at UfM Stakeholder Conference 2024

WestMED goes full Mediterranean at the UfM stakeholder conference 2024

The WestMED Initiative actively participated in the 2nd UfM Blue Economy Stakeholder Conference, which took place in Athens on February 19 and 20, 2024.

Background
The WestMED Initiative follows up on the Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial Declaration on the Blue Economy endorsed by the Union for Mediterranean (UfM) which took place on the 17 November 2015, inviting the participating countries to explore the added value and feasibility of appropriate maritime strategies at sub-regional level, and build on the experience of the 5+5 Dialogue.

In October 2016, Foreign Affairs Ministers from Algeria, France, Italy, Libya, Malta, Mauritania, Morocco, Portugal, Spain and Tunisia encouraged further work on an initiative for the sustainable development of the blue economy, alongside the UfM Secretariat.

In the UfM Ministerial Declaration on Sustainable Blue Economy (2021), Ministers “welcome the successful completion of the launch of the ‘Initiative for the sustainable development of the blue economy in the western Mediterranean’ (WestMED)”, and “recognise both the WestMED initiative as successful examples of cooperation, focused on clear goals, priorities and measurable targets and as a catalyst for the development of sustainable blue economy projects in the region”.

The endorsing countries pursue the same priorities under the UfM Working Group and the WestMED Steering Committee: fostering the promotion of the blue economy, achieving a safer maritime space and improving the maritime governance.

Conference involvement
On the occasion of the 2nd UfM Blue Economy Stakeholder Conference, the WestMED Initiative assisted the UfM both in terms of organization and participation.

At  institutional level, the new WestMED Portuguese Co-Presidency represented by Ms. Marisa Lameiras da Silva, Director General for Maritime Policy in Portugal participated as one of the key speakers in the session of marine renewable energy, providing the success case of Portugal developing offshore energy and its potential replicability in the Mediterranean.

From the Commission side, Ms. Delilah Al Khudhairy, Director for Maritime Policy and Blue Economy, Mr. Christos Economou, Head of Unit for Maritime Regional Cooperation and Mr. Manuel Pleguezuelo, policy officer and WestMED coordinator from DG MARE, participated in numerous sessions showing a strong commitment to the sustainable blue economy in the Mediterranean. The same for Ms. Anja Detant (CINEA), as project manager of the WestMED Assistance Mechanism contract, who highlighted the WestMED Initiative and the award winning projects during the ‘Spotlights on Projects’ session.

At operational level, the WestMED Assistance Mechanism participated in different workshops as experts, moderators and rapporteurs, providing technical expertise. They also supported the UfM Secretariat behind-the-scenes in the development of the Conference.

The conference served as a crucial milestone to assess progress, discuss challenges, and engage the entire Mediterranean Sustainable Blue Economy Community in shaping further deliberations at political and practical level.

A concrete example of succesful cooperation beyond the western Mediterranean was the MoU signed during the conference among the Tunisian and Greek Maritime Clusters  (with groundwork through the WestMED Cluster Alliance) to further boost the blue economy between the western and eastern Mediterranean.

 

Anja Detant at UfM conference 2024

Samir Bachouche-and Manuel Pleguezuelo at UfM Conference 2024

Manuel Pleguezuelo at UfM Conference 2024

Thanos Smanis, Isabelle Perret, Christos Economou at the UfM Stakeholder Conference 2024

UfM stakeholder Conference - speakers with thumbs up

Photos: copyright UfM secretariat

European Blue Announcement with 2 cover pages of eu blue forum position papares 2024

The European Blue Forum Stakeholder Position Papers are out!

The European Blue Forum consisting of stakeholders from all 5  EU sea basins has published its first 2 Position papers related to key issues concerning the European Seas

Paper 1: What do we need from European Seas by 2030, and are we asking too much?
Paper 2: What does a fossil fuel free sustainable blue economy look like? How can we as a community support this transition?

These 2 papers, crafted collaboratively by European Blue Forum members through insightful discussions over the past 10 months are now accessible.

The documents are set to serve as a significant statement on maritime and coastal stakeholders’ common issues, challenges and future expectations for our European Seas. They gather the needs of the European Blue Forum members and provides the main axes of action for the years to come.

The papers will be presented during a public meeting of the inter-parliamentary group SEARICA in Brussels on 7th March 2024.

Download the papers

announcement poster EMD 2024

Apply for a stand at the EMD exhibition!

The last time stakeholders had the possibility to get together as exhibitors was in 2023.

The European Commission, the City of Svendborg and the Danish Maritime Authority are happy to be able to offer this possibility once again and to give stakeholders the chance to showcase their projects and initiatives in an exhibition.

All  corresponding information can be found through the EMD website, or by direct link EMD 2024 call for exhibition.

The deadline to apply is the 22 March 2024 at 23h59. Please note that the call is launched on a « first come first served » basis and the call may therefore be closed before the deadline if the amount of applicants already reaches the threshold.

report cover

Report: A sustainable blue economy for the Mediterranean: challenges, opportunities and policy pathways

A new policy report, commissioned by the European Commission (DG Near) to the EuroMeSCo network, and developed by eco-union under the supervision of the European Institute of the Mediterranean (IEMed), aims to assess the status and potential of the sustainable Blue Economy in the Mediterranean region, including an analysis of socioeconomic benefits and impacts in relevant Blue Economy activities.

This report not only encapsulates the current state of the Blue Economy in the Mediterranean but also serves as a guide for policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders, pointing towards a future where sustainable practices drive economic growth while safeguarding the invaluable marine ecosystems of the region.

Download the report

Source: Eco-Union website

 

announcement poster for the WestMED 2023 factsheet

WestMED 2023 factsheet is out now!

The WestMED 2023 factsheet is out listing its major achievements.

Goals, priorities, governance, stories, number of projects supported and much more in one quick overview

Download your copy from the publications page

Positano,italy.coastline

MED MSP Community of Practice: experts from across the Mediterranean unite to share experiences and align perspectives

On 26 On January 2023, CINEA together with DG MARE, launched the ‘Community of Practice on Maritime Spatial Planning for the Mediterranean’, with the support of the WestMED Initiative, the MSP Assistance Mechanism and Union for Mediterranean.

This is a voluntary, enthusiastic group of experts from EU and non-EU countries working on MSP in the Mediterranean.

It was established based on a growing need from the MSP Community for a continuous and structured dialogue at sea basin and sub-sea basin level.

The main objective of this MED-MSP-CoP is to establish a permanent exchange between MSP practitioners across borders (i.e. planners, technical experts, researchers), to share knowledge and relevant experiences in the region, reach a shared perspective on MSP topics of common interest and enhance the cooperation between the north and the south shore of the Mediterranean.

In its first year, 3 workshops and 4 thematic webinars have been organised – mostly online. Participants indicated the added value of this platform and plans are underway to continue with these meetings in the years ahead.

If you want learn more and/ or join this Community of Practice, all information can be be found on the MED-MSP-COP webpage

Euromarime 2024 poster with EU Sea Basin Assistance Mechanism text and stand number

Le Mécanisme d’Assistance de l’Économie Bleue de l’UE à EUROMARITIME 2024

Les leaders et passionnés de l’industrie maritime se réunissent à Marseille du 30 janvier au 1er février 20pour échanger sur les derniers développements dans les secteurs maritimes et fluviaux lors d’EUROMARITIME, qui est à la fois une vitrine et un accélérateur d’affaires depuis sa création en 2020.

L’événement est un forum dynamique permettant aux parties prenantes de participer à des discussions sur les problématiques actuelles, les avancées techniques et les développements politiques. EUROMARITIME offre ainsi une plateforme unique aux acteurs économiques, industriels, politiques et institutionnels pour aborder les défis et opportunités dans le transport maritime, la construction navale, la réparation navale, l’économie portuaire et l’avenir des technologies maritimes, avec pour objectif ultime de développer une économie bleue durable et à faibles émissions de carbone.

Il marquera également le lancement du premier Forum maritime eurafricain (FoMEA), dédié à la promotion de l’économie bleue et du développement maritime en Afrique. Il est donc à relier aux activités de l’initiative WestMED sur la rive sud de la Méditerranée.

Cet événement dans l’événement, qui réunira les acteurs maritimes africains autour de projets, d’institutions, d’autorités portuaires et de responsables de compagnies maritimes, aura lieu le jeudi 1er février 2024.

Rejoignez-nous pour de nouvelles idées de projets maritimes, des collaborations et des initiatives

Pleinement au fait de  l’importance croissante des pratiques durables au sein de l’industrie maritime et à la suite des participations précédentes du Hub National Français WestMED aux éditions de 2020 et 2022, le mécanisme d’assistance de l’UE  aux bassins maritimes s’apprête à être un exposant à EUROMARITIME. Avec plusieurs secteurs maritimes engagés vers la durabilité, la Commission européenne a reconnu la nécessité d’efforts concertés pour favoriser une économie bleue plus sûre, plus intelligente et plus résiliente.

Soutenant et mettant en œuvre les initiatives stratégiques pour l’économie bleue pour l’Atlantique, la Méditerranée occidentale et la mer Noire, le Mécanisme d’Assistance réunit des experts maritimes de ces bassins maritimes. Ces experts offrent un soutien de proximité aux PME, aux institutions de recherche, aux décideurs politiques et au monde universitaire en les accompagnant dans les étapes de développement de leurs projets bleus durables en identifiant les potentiels accès au financement de l’UE ou dans la recherche de partenaires.

Atelier du hub national français du mécanisme d’assistance de l’UE aux bassins maritimes | 30 janvier (14:00-17:00)

Le 30 janvier après-midi, le hub national français du mécanisme d’assistance de l’UE aux bassins maritimes organisera son événement national à  EuroMaritime.

Cet événement prendra la forme d’un atelier dédié à la présentation des activités avec un accent sur deux sujets:

  • Les actions en matière d’économie bleue des régions françaises ; en particulier la Région Sud et sa coopération avec les pays de la rive sud de la Méditerranée.
  • Le rôle des deux stratégies de bassin maritime de l’UE (l’initiative OuestMED et la Stratégie Maritime Atlantique) et leurs synergies pour faciliter de nouveaux projets ainsi que la coopération.

Ce sera également l’occasion de rappeler les opportunités de financement et de discuter des idées de projets soutenant les stratégies de l’UE pour les deux bassins maritimes.

L’ordre du jour.

 

Activités clés du Mécanisme d’Assistance:

  • Accompagnement au développement de projets: Le mécanisme soutient activement les projets bleus en facilitant la recherche de partenaires pour les consortiums et fournit des conseils pour l’obtention de financements de l’UE. Cette assistance vise à faire passer les projets de la conception à la mise en œuvre. Cela se concrétise à travers la mise en œuvre des Initiatives des Bassins Maritimes, suivant les objectifs fixés dans les deux Déclarations Ministérielles de chaque Bassin Maritime approuvées en 2023 (plus d’informations sont disponibles dans la Déclaration Ministérielle de l’Atlantique et la Déclaration Ministérielle WestMED).
  • Animation de discussions thématiques de l’économie bleue: Pour favoriser les transitions durables, le Mécanisme d’Assistance initie et anime des discussions entre les parties prenantes. Ces discussions contribuent au développement de solutions innovantes et de meilleures pratiques pour une économie bleue plus durable et résiliente.
  • Renforcement des politiques bleues à tous les niveaux: Travaillant aux niveaux local, national, régional et européen, le Mécanisme d’Assistance plaide en faveur de politiques bleues robustes encourageant les synergies au sein et entre les Bassins Maritimes et en accord avec  les objectifs des Initiatives des Bassins Maritimes. En alignant les politiques sur les objectifs de durabilité, le mécanisme vise à créer un environnement propice au développement des projets bleus.

Alors qu’EUROMARITIME se déroule à Marseille, la convergence des leaders de l’industrie maritime et la présence du Mécanisme d’Assistance de l’Économie Bleue de l’UE promettent de susciter de nouvelles idées, collaborations et initiatives qui façonneront l’avenir des industries maritimes.

Pour ceux qui souhaitent explorer le devant de la scène de l’innovation maritime et de la durabilité, visitez le site officiel d’EUROMARITIME.

 

Rencontrez le Mécanisme d’assistance à l’économie bleue de l’UE sur le stand de Pole Mer Mediterranee (B06).

Suivez-nous en ligne pour obtenir les dernières informations concernant les activités prévues dans le cadre de l’exposition :

X (Twitter):   WestMED | Atlantic
LinkedIn: Atlantic
Newsletter: WestMED | Atlantic

Vous pouvez également contacter directement le Hub National du mécanisme d’assistance en France par l’intermédiaire de l’adresse suivante france@westmed-initiative.ec.europa.eu | france@atlantic-maritime-strategy.ec.europa.eu

front cover of financing opportunities guide for the green transition of fisheries and aquaculture 2023

Energy Transition Partnership & Financing Report

The new guide on financing opportunities for the Green Energy Transition of Fisheries and Aquaculture is out!

The guide is set to support the sectors through EU funding under the 2021-2027 financial framework and NextGenerationEU. The comprehensive guide aims to elucidate diverse funding options for the energy transition by targeting a broad audience, including enterprises, public administrations, research institutions, and civil society organisations. It distinguishes itself by offering a tailored approach, swiftly aiding stakeholders in identifying and assessing applicable EU funding sources. Covering areas like vessel innovation, energy-efficient gear, and aquaculture management, the guide complements existing European Commission tools and undergoes regular updates to incorporate newly identified funds.

All information can be found in the Energy Transition Partnership