The Blue Challenge: Interreg Project Development Training Programme is a new capacity‑building initiative designed to equip young talent with the skills to develop high‑quality, fundable project proposals that advance the sustainable blue economy.

Aligned with the priorities of the Atlantic Sea Basin Strategy and the WestMED Initiative, the programme supports early‑career students and professionals in gaining the practical tools needed to design, structure and submit strong Interreg proposals, while fostering transnational cooperation across sea basins.

A hands‑on learning journey in Interreg project development

Over four months, participants follow an interactive training pathway covering the full lifecycle of an Interreg project proposal – from programming and project design to budgeting, proposal writing and submission. The course focuses on key Interreg programmes relevant to the Atlantic and Mediterranean regions, including Interreg Atlantic Area, Interreg MAC (Madeira-Azores-Canary Islands), Interreg NEXT‑MED and Interreg EURO‑MED.

Designed as an introductory‑level course, the Blue Challenge requires no prior experience in EU project development and blends theoretical learning with practical, applied exercises.

Participants will benefit from:

• Interactive online webinars led by experienced practitioners
• Case studies based on real Interreg funded projects
• Group discussions and collaborative exercises
• Individual knowledge tests to support learning progression
• Access to dedicated online platforms and resources

Online training + Blue Challenge Day

The programme uses a blended format: online training from May to mid‑July 2026, followed by the in‑person Blue Challenge Day on 15 September 2026 in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain.

During the Blue Challenge Day:

• Participants will work in teams on a full Interreg project proposal
• Each team will deliver an 8‑minute pitch to a jury of blue economy and Interreg experts
• Winning proposals will be selected based on quality, relevance and feasibility

An Awards Ceremony will take place on 16 September 2026, back‑to‑back with the Atlantic–WestMED Stakeholder Conference, providing visibility and recognition to the winning teams. 

Who can apply?

• The Blue Challenge is open to young adults aged 18–25 from countries eligible under Interreg programmes, including both Atlantic and Mediterranean regions
• A maximum of 100 participants will be selected, with attention to geographical and gender balance
• The working language of the programme is English

Recognition and follow‑up support

Winning teams will receive a formal recognition award and benefit from tailored follow‑up guidance, helping them further develop their proposals into full applications for upcoming Interreg funding calls.

The evaluation process will involve representatives from Interreg programme secretariats and blue economy experts, with the support of the Sea Basin Assistance Mechanism National Hubs.

Read the full Concept note with all details

Apply for a seat here

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.

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

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.