On 16 September 2026, the Joint Stakeholder Conference of the WestMED and Atlantic Sea Basin Strategies will take place in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain.

This landmark event marks the first time that both initiatives come together in a single forum, representing a significant milestone in advancing inter-basin cooperation. It builds on the current convergence in governance between the WestMED and Atlantic strategies, aiming to boost synergies, streamline efforts, reinforce complementarities, and strengthen the collective contribution to EU and regional maritime and blue economy priorities.

By bringing together stakeholders from both sea basins, the conference will foster structured exchanges of experience, promote the transfer of good practices, stimulate cross-basin project partnerships, and contribute to reducing fragmentation across EU funding instruments. It will also enhance the visibility of achievements at European, regional, and international levels, further positioning both strategies as complementary and mutually reinforcing mechanisms within European ocean governance.

The conference will combine high-level plenary discussions and thematic sessions on shared priorities—such as blue skills, coastal resilience, sustainable tourism, and decarbonisation—with a dynamic, solution-oriented hackathon format aimed at transforming dialogue into concrete project ideas.

A series of back-to-back events will also take place the day before, focusing on funding opportunities, youth engagement, synergies, and project development.

The agenda and further information will be published shortly. We look forward to welcoming stakeholders from across both sea basins in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

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Loic Fauchon, President of the World Water Council, at the launch event of the white paper in Rome on March 18, 2026.

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The TEHA Community – Italy’s leading multi‑stakeholder platform bringing together utilities, industry, research organisations and public authorities to advance innovation and strategic investment in the water sector – has released the 7th edition of its White Paper on the Value of Water 2026.

The report highlights several themes that closely mirror the priorities of the WestMED Initiative, reinforcing the need for coordinated Mediterranean action on water resilience and sustainable blue growth.

The White Paper warns of intensifying water scarcity, rising climate vulnerability and the growing risk of a “global water bankruptcy,” identifying the Mediterranean as one of Europe’s most exposed regions. These findings directly support WestMED’s work on climate adaptation, coastal resilience and nature‑based solutions across tourism, fisheries, aquaculture and port operations.

A central contribution of the report is its expanded view of the extended water value chain, covering drinking water, wastewater, reuse, agriculture, industry, energy and digital infrastructure. This holistic approach aligns with WestMED’s efforts to strengthen sustainable blue value chains and promote circular water models across the basin. The WestMED-supported AIDARA Inititiative is a good example in this respect.

The TEHA Community also highlights persistent governance fragmentation and significant investment gaps, noting that nearly a quarter of Europe’s water‑resilience needs remain unfunded.

These insights reinforce WestMED’s role in improving policy coherence, mobilising finance and supporting project development and matchmaking among its ten participating countries.

Other key themes – including circular water, digitalisation of the water cycle, and the need for new skills and public awareness, resonate strongly with WestMED’s priorities on digital blue economy, non‑conventional water resources and the work of the newly formed WestMED Blue Skills Technical Group.

Overall, the TEHA White Paper provides a timely evidence base that strengthens the case for joint Mediterranean solutions. It underscores the urgency and opportunity for coordinated action on water resilience, climate adaptation and sustainable blue growth in the Western Mediterranean.

Visit the website
Download the white paper (IT)

Bluepsol (Blue Power Solutions), a Tunisian startup founded in 2023, is rapidly emerging as one of the Mediterranean’s most promising innovators in sustainable fisheries. The company develops clean, smart, and affordable technologies that directly address the environmental, economic, and safety challenges faced by artisanal and industrial fishermen across Tunisia.

At the heart of Bluepsol’s mission is a commitment to balancing economic performance with the protection of marine resources. Tunisia’s fisheries sector is vital for food security, employment, and foreign currency earnings, yet it faces mounting pressures from climate change, rising fuel costs, and pollution. Bluepsol responds to these challenges with technologies designed to reduce environmental impact, modernise fishing operations, and support responsible resource management.

Clean Energy Solutions Tailored for Small Scale Fisheries
Bluepsol’s flagship innovation is its solar-powered smart generator, developed as a clean alternative to traditional diesel electrogens widely used in light fishing. While conventional generators consume 10–20 litres of fuel per night and emit significant CO₂ and noise pollution, Bluepsol’s system operates silently, produces zero emissions, and requires minimal maintenance. It can be charged via solar panels or a boat’s 24V alternator, and includes safety features such as a security bracelet and mobile-app intercommunication between vessels.

Complementing this is the solar smart cooler, designed for artisanal fishermen who often lack reliable cold-chain solutions. Deployed in regions such as Rades with support from AVSI, TAUW Foundation, and Italian Emilia-Romagna Region, the cooler preserves catch quality without fuel or ice, reducing waste and improving income stability.

Bluepsol is also developing an electric outboard motor by repurposing old diesel engines, an innovative circular-economy approach that reduces emissions and extends the life of existing equipment.

In aquaculture, the company leads a national pilot project under INSTM (Institut National des Sciences et Technologies de la Mer) and SwitchMed, using solar-powered monitoring systems to optimise offshore cage production while ensuring environmental compliance.

A Proven Track Record Across Tunisia
Bluepsol’s technologies have been tested and deployed in major fishing ports including Tunis, Bizerte, Kelibia, Monastir, Mahdia, Sfax, Gabès, and Zarzis. Projects range from electrifying boats with solar surveillance systems to refitting training vessels with full solar-energy setups.

A notable installation in Ghar El Melh was covered by a BBC Arabic reportage on sustainable fishing innovations in Tunisia.

Moreover, the collaboration with the WWF to help test and validate the technology with the support of local fishermen communities and cooperatives, has helped raise national awareness of clean-energy alternatives for fishermen. Watch the WWF promotional video featuring Bluepsol

Recognition and Future Ambitions
The startup has earned multiple national and international awards, including POESAM Orange 1st Prize and GreenTIC, culminating in the prestigious WestMED Best Project Award 2025.

Looking ahead, Bluepsol aims to scale its solutions across the Mediterranean, expand partnerships, and launch new pilot projects, positioning itself as a regional leader of providing smart solutions for  sustainable fisheries.

One of the co-founders, Chaima Ben Grira summarised their mission as follows:
“At Bluepsol, we believe that leadership, science, and collaboration are key to driving positive change for our oceans and coastal communities.”

 

 

EU’s contribution to clean fishing vessels

The European Union supports the transition to cleaner and more energy-efficient fishing vessels as part of its broader climate and sustainability agenda. This effort is anchored in the European Green Deal and the Common Fisheries Policy, which promote environmentally responsible fishing practices while safeguarding the economic viability of coastal communities.

The Energy Transition Partnership (ETP) is a European Commission–led collaborative platform created in 2023 to accelerate the energy transition in the EU fisheries and aquaculture sector. It brings together stakeholders across the value chain to tackle technical, financial, and regulatory barriers that slow down decarbonisation.

Financial support is mainly provided through the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) for the 2021–2027 period. EMFAF finances fleet modernisation, energy-efficiency improvements, and the adoption of low-carbon technologies, largely through national and regional programmes. In parallel, the EU launches pilot projects and innovation calls to demonstrate new solutions such as hybrid propulsion systems, renewable energy integration, and alternative fuels on fishing vessels.

Beyond funding, EU research programmes and evolving maritime safety and environmental regulations create long-term incentives for cleaner vessels. Together, these policies, financial instruments, and innovation initiatives form a comprehensive approach to decarbonising the fisheries sector while supporting sustainable livelihoods and food security across Europe.

 

More info about Bluepsol
Budget	Not available (Private)
Partners/ Countries	Private company (2-10 employees)
Follow	Social media: LinkedIn
Duration	Founded in 2023

On 28 January 2026, Tunis hosted a high-level event celebrating this 20-year milestone and marking the launch of new Interreg projects. The gathering brought together more than 350 participants, including officials from Tunisian and EU institutions, ambassadors and project leaders, underlining the importance of the cooperation for both sides

A Longstanding Mediterranean Alliance
For twenty years, the Interreg programme has stood as a cornerstone of cooperation between the European Union and Tunisia, turning shared challenges in the Mediterranean into opportunities for joint action and sustainable development.

Interreg, part of the EU’s broader cohesion policy that promotes cross-border and transnational collaboration, has connected public authorities, universities, civil society and private partners across the Mediterranean since Tunisia first joined EU-funded programmes in 2007.

€300 Million for Shared Priorities
Under the current 2021–2027 Italy–Tunisia and Mediterranean Sea Basin programmes, around €300 million in EU funding has been mobilised to support bilateral and multilateral initiatives involving Tunisia and neighbouring partners.

Delivering Results on the Ground
Tunisia has become one of the most active countries in the Interreg framework, participating in 68 projects with over 75 Tunisian partners. These initiatives address key regional priorities such as the green and digital transitions, energy efficiency, social inclusion, health, innovation and local economic development.

Organised jointly by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy, Tunisian authorities and supporting EU bodies, the event highlighted how the Interreg journey has strengthened institutional dialogue, fostered territorial development and delivered tangible results “on the ground.”

Looking Ahead: 2028–2034
Officials emphasised that the achievements over the past two decades lay solid foundations for a continuation and expansion of cooperation in the next programming period (2028–2034), with Interreg expected to remain a vital instrument for building a smarter, greener and more inclusive Mediterranean region.

WestMED’s intervention
Imed zammit, (WestMED Tunisia) stressed that Tunisia’s blue economy is now a strategic priority, and impact matters more than the number of projects. Alignment with national needs, job creation and solid financing are key.

 

On 3 February 2026, a conference titled From Coast to Innovation: Shaping Malta’s Blue Economy was held in Malta, bringing together policymakers, practitioners, and innovators to reflect on how the country can translate its maritime endowment into sustainable economic opportunity.

The event was organised by Malta Enterprise within the context of the Blue Med Initiative and aimed at assisting businesses to develop further the blue economic potential.

Balancing Environmental Stewardship, Climate Goals, and Competitiveness

The event placed particular emphasis on the interface between environmental stewardship, climate objectives, and economic competitiveness. Discussions highlighted the reality that, for island states such as Malta, marine and coastal resources are environmental assets and also strategic economic inputs that require careful governance and long-term planning.

A High-Level Panel Bridging Policy and Implementation

A central feature of the event was a high-level panel discussion moderated by the WestMED National Hub for Malta. In this role, the moderator guided an exchange that deliberately bridged policy vision and on-the-ground implementation, reflecting the WestMED approach of translating regional priorities into national and local action. The panel explored the current state of Malta’s Blue Economy, the environmental pressures arising from maritime activity, and the extent to which climate objectives and Blue Economy development can be mutually reinforcing rather than competing agendas.

Operational Challenges and Strategic Outlook

From an operational perspective, panellists examined the practical challenges of implementation, including spatial constraints, infrastructure needs, and regulatory complexity. These discussions were closely linked to Malta’s long-term strategic outlook, with particular reference to EnVision 2050 and its ambition to turn environmental and spatial limitations into sources of competitive advantage for emerging Blue Economy sectors.

Future Opportunities and Innovation-Driven Growth

The second part of the discussion focused on future opportunities. Panellists highlighted innovation-driven niches, the growing importance of skills aligned with new maritime technologies, and the potential for Malta to position itself as a regional reference point in selected Blue Economy segments.

Recognising Excellence: SDG14 Innovation Awards

The conference also recognised excellence in innovation aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water). Two companies were presented with the SDG14 Challenge Award in recognition of their participation in this challenge and contribution to environmentally sustainable maritime activity:

1. Ocean Speed Ltd. specialises in sustainable hull cleaning that improves vessel performance, cuts fuel consumption, and reduces emissions. Its work shows how efficiency‑driven innovation can create economic value while directly supporting climate goals and ocean protection.
2. Marine Hound  has developed advanced monitoring and digital surveillance tools that strengthen maritime safety, environmental oversight, and operational transparency. By enabling real‑time data and better situational awareness, it supports more efficient operations and responsible use of marine resources. Marine Hound is also WestMED Award winner 2023

 

Presentation of the SDG16 award by Malta Enterprise Chairman, Mr William Wait and CEO, Mr George Gregory to Marine Hound Ing. Nicholas Borg Calleja

Presentation of the SDG16 award by Malta Enterprise Chairman, Mr William Wait and CEO, Mr George Gregory to Ocean Speed,  Captain Terence Farrugia