We invite all stakeholders from the Atlantic and Western Mediterranean Blue Economy to apply for the joint Atlantic–WestMED Project Awards 2026.
After three editions of separate sea basin project awards, for the first time this year a joint, unified award scheme is launched. This new format spans both sea basins within the framework of the joint WestMED–Atlantic Stakeholder Conference.
It also reflects a significant step towards deeper cooperation and alignment between Europe’s Sea Basin Strategies, strengthening their collective contribution to EU maritime and blue economy priorities.
The Awards will showcase and reward outstanding projects that deliver innovative and replicable solutions to strengthen the sustainable blue economy, with categories aligned to the shared priorities of both sea basin strategies.
Winners will be announced during the Atlantic–WestMED Stakeholder Conference on 16 September 2026 in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain.
You can also revisit the 2025 Conference, including last year’s five winning projects.
The Project Awards are built around four thematic categories that reflect shared priorities across both sea basins. These categories highlight areas where projects are delivering concrete impact, while aligning with EU policy objectives and ongoing work under the Atlantic Maritime Strategy and the WestMED Initiative.
For projects, initiatives and actions that strengthen workforce development across maritime sectors, including in coastal communities, through quality education, training and lifelong learning.
This includes upskilling and reskilling for emerging technologies, promoting maritime careers, enhancing research collaboration, and facilitating the mutual recognition of qualifications to support cross-border mobility.
For projects and initiatives that contribute to the sustainable, integrated and evidence-based management of marine spaces.
This covers initiatives that develop or implement MSP processes and tools, support data collection, mapping and digital solutions for spatial planning, and enhance cross-sectoral coordination between activities such as fisheries, aquaculture, offshore energy, maritime transport and conservation.
For projects, initiatives and actions that protect, restore and enhance marine and coastal ecosystems, ensuring their long-term resilience and ecological integrity.
This includes efforts to strengthen coastal resilience and reinforce the fight against marine pollution, while supporting the sustainable management of marine and coastal resources.
For projects, initiatives and actions that support the decarbonisation and sustainability of maritime transport and port operations, while accelerating the transition towards clean and efficient energy systems in the blue economy.
This includes the development and deployment of low- and zero-emission vessels, alternative fuel, and energy-efficient technologies across shipping and port activities.
Award winner Algeria Startup Challenge/ Leancubator on Algerian national television (in Arab)
Award winner Blue Skills on Italian television (separately edited with English subtitles)
Award winner We are Blue Schools on Balearic television
Applications may be submitted by any individual, organisation, authority, network, consortium or institution that:
Download the guidelines here. You’ll find further details on key dates, criteria, selection procedure, and so on.
Deadline: 30 June 2026
