Italy-news Archives

brochure announcement with mock of the brochure with coverpage and 2 middle pages

2026 WestMED Brochure – 8 years on

22 février 2026/dans Actualités /par Communication team

The 2026 edition of the WestMED Initiative has been released.

It highlights the major results of the WestMED Initiative since its launch in 2017 with a focus on the achievements since the previous 2024 edition of the brochure.

Read about the projects supported by the WestMED Assistance Mechanism, the 38 countries that benefited, the media coverage and much more – including a complete overview of all projects that were awarded funding with the help of the 10 National Hubs.

Download your 2026 edition here

Silvio Oliva, President of AIDARA welcoming all participants at AIDARA event in Bari on 29 January 2026

Strategic Dialogue on Water Re-use at WestMED-Supported AIDARA Event in Bari

8 février 2026/dans Actualités /par National Hub Italy

On 29 January 2026, an AIDARA-led event on the reuse of purified water as a strategic resource for agricultural, industrial, and civil uses was held in Bari, Italy with the support of the WestMED Initiative.

Hosted at the Palazzo dell’Acqua, the event brought together public authorities, experts, researchers, and stakeholders from across the Mediterranean to discuss innovative and sustainable solutions to growing water scarcity challenges.

Discussions focused on policy and regulatory frameworks, technological developments, and concrete case studies illustrating how treated wastewater reuse can contribute to climate adaptation, resource efficiency, and the circular economy.

The exchange highlighted the importance of cross-sectoral cooperation between water management, agriculture, industry, and local authorities.

Through its support, WestMED facilitated dialogue and knowledge sharing among Mediterranean actors, helping to connect regional experiences with broader EU objectives on sustainability and resilience. The event contributed to strengthening cooperation and raising awareness of water reuse as a strategic resource for sustainable development in Mediterranean coastal and inland areas.

Download all presentations (zip files): nr 1-10 | Nr 11-21

More information: Contact Leonardo Manzari (WestMED National Hub Italy)

screenshot webinar 2025 forum oceano workshop on portugal-italy strateguc partnerships

WestMED-support outlined at Forum Oceano webinar on Portugal–Italy Blue Strategic Partnerships

2 février 2026/dans Actualités /par Communication team

Click here for the webinar recording (YouTube)

On 27 January 2026, Forum Oceano (also Portugal’s National Hub for the WestMED and Atlantic) organised a high level webinar titled: ‘Portugal–Italy: Opportunities for Blue Strategic Partnerships.’

This webinar was co-organised with the institutional partnership of the Embassy of Italy in Portugal (Ambasciata d’Italia a Lisbona), and marked a significant milestone in strengthening bilateral cooperation within Europe’s blue economy.

The discussion generated valuable strategic alignment around priority areas for cooperation, including fisheries and aquaculture, nautical and coastal tourism, ship repair and shipbuilding, and ocean monitoring and observation, while also highlighting the available support instruments for international collaboration and business development.

With nearly 100 participants from companies, institutions, clusters, and public bodies, this initiative confirmed the strong interest and clear momentum for building structured and long-term strategic partnerships between Portugal and Italy.

WestMED’s support to forming partnerships
Leonardo Manzari, from WestMED Italy, explained how the WestMED Assistance Mechanism assists with finding project partners and submitting proposals to access EU funding. He also highlighed the support to public administrations to draft policies in line with the Sustianable Blue Economy priorities of the European Commission, CINEA and the Union for the Mediterranean. As a result, more than 200 projects have been supported with 100 million euro of investments in the Blue Economy. Next to this, he highlighted the role of the 6 thematic stakeholder groups and the strong basis for a strategic partnership between Italy and Tunisia that was already the focus of discussions during a 2023 WestMED workshop at SeaFuture in LaSpezia, Italy’s leading international maritime exhibition.

Also, Giorgio Ricci from Cluster BIG, presented their work including their participation in the MEDBAN, CALLMEBLUE and MARMED projects – all facilitated by the WestMED Maritime Cluster Alliance.

In this respect one of the main conclusions by the event’s moderator, Goncalo Santos, was to emphasise the importance of Portuguese and Italian clusters as bridge builders between the two countries’ ecosystems.

The event forms part of Forum Oceano’s ‘Blue Internationalization’ Webinar Series. Check their LinkedIn page for more information regarding upcoming webinars or watch the recordings on their dedicated youtube channel.

Watch the agenda and the webinar recording on YouTube

Spain Assumes WestMED Co‑Presidency with a Vision of Synergies among Sea Basins

21 janvier 2026/dans Actualités /par Communication team

Opening welcome message from the new WestMED Co-Presidency

Dear WestMED community,

From January 2026 until the end of 2027, Spain will hold the co-presidency of the WestMED Initiative for a Sustainable Blue Economy in the Western Mediterranean, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation. This co-presidency will be shared with Tunisia in 2026, and with Algeria in 2027.

European policies for the Mediterranean regional area have received a strong boost during 2025, representing a turning point for maritime governance in the region, while generating great opportunities. The Third United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, and the recent Mediterranean and Ocean Pacts presented by European Commission, which share both vision and objectives with the WestMED Initiative when it comes to the development of a sustainable blue economy, the protection of ecosystems and biodiversity and the support to the coastal communities.

Additionally, it should be pointed out that during 2026 Spain will also be presiding the Atlantic Strategy.

Therefore, the Spanish aim during its co-presidency is to take advantage of these interconnections and synergies, not only between Sea Basin Strategies, but also between maritime sector´s development as well as amongst various stakeholder generations, building intergenerational fairness. Accordingly, our shared motto for both strategies will be:

“Building on synergies for sustainable oceans”

Spain intends to work closely with its WestMED counterparts and partners, to:

Launch the new WestMED Technical Group on Blue Skills, result of the initiative of the 2025 Tunisian and Portuguese co-presidencies.

Initiate discussions for the launch of a Marine Observation and Data Collection community of practice, in parallel with the Atlantic Strategy. This is a new development, closely linked to the proposals of the EU Ocean Pact, which will be included in the Ocean Act planned by the end of 2026.
Take advantage of the simultaneous presidency of the Atlantic Strategy and the co-presidency of WestMed, to boost synergies, bring together blue economy stakeholders and sectors and enhance cooperation between the two Sea Basin Strategies.

The Spanish co-presidency is delighted to embrace this opportunity, which will enable closer ties and collaboration between the two Sea Basin Strategies in an international context where sustainable maritime issues are becoming increasingly relevant.

2025 project awards winners on stage at the WestMED 2025 Conference

Tunis hosts the 5th WestMED Stakeholder Conference: Driving Blue Economy Action Across the Western Mediterranean

1 décembre 2025/dans Actualités /par Communication team

On 28 November 2025, over 200 stakeholders from both shores of the Mediterranean gathered in Tunis, Tunisia, for the 5^th WestMED Stakeholder Conference – a flagship event of the WestMED Initiative.

Building on previous editions in Barcelona, Algiers, Rome, and Malta, this year’s conference highlighted the role of maritime clusters, blue skills, ocean literacy, energy transition, and maritime spatial planning in promoting a more competitive, sustainable, and resilient blue economy across the Western Mediterranean sea basin.

The conference was hosted by the Tunisian co-presidency of the WestMED and organized by the WestMED Assistance Mechanism, with the support of the European Commission.

Recognizing Excellence: WestMED Project Awards 2025

A highlight of the conference was the announcement of the WestMED Project Awards, now in their third edition. These awards honor outstanding projects aligned with the WestMED priorities, providing winners with visibility and recognition across the Mediterranean blue economy community.

Award winners showcased innovation in marine protected areas management, energy transition in fisheries and aquaculture, blue skills and maritime clusters, demonstrating how local initiatives can have a regional impact.
This recognition not only boosts the projects’ visibility but also strengthens cross‑border cooperation, encouraging replication of similar initiatives in other sea basins.

This edition showed a record number of 71 applications. The award winners were:

BLUEPSOL: developing solar-powered solutions for sustainable fishing and aquaculture,
reducing emissions and costs (also voted by participants as the ‘best-of-the-best’).
YEP MED: connecting training centres, ports, and companies across the Mediterranean to align education with real labour market needs
MPA4Change: empowering Mediterranean MPAs to adapt, build resilience, and combat climate change.
BCThubs: building technology excellence hubs, advancing underwater cultural heritage and sustainable blue economy
CallmeBlue: strengthening Mediterranean clusters, fostering cooperation, empowering communities and enhancing skills inclusively.

European Ocean Pact & new Pact for the Mediterranean

Two major policy frameworks were discussed during the conference:

EU Ocean Pact: presented as a unifying framework to safeguard Europe’s seas, it emphasizes sustainability, resilience, and innovation. The conference explored how WestMED priorities support this broader EU agenda.
Pact for the Mediterranean: recently launched, this pact aims to align Mediterranean countries around shared commitments for a resilient and sustainable sea basin. The WestMED Assistance Mechanism was highlighted as a bridge between the pact’s ambitions and concrete project implementation.

Together, these pacts signal a new era of Mediterranean maritime cooperation, linking regional action to European strategies.

Launch of the Blue Skills Technical Stakeholder Group
Recognizing that skills gaps are among the biggest barriers to a thriving blue economy, the conference announced the creation of a new technical stakeholder group on Blue Skills.

This group will bring together experts from the different Western Mediterranean countries to map skill needs, organise training programs, and promote ocean literacy.
It will serve as a platform for universities, training centers, industry, and policymakers to coordinate efforts.
By focusing on capacity building, the group aims to ensure that the Western Mediterranean workforce is equipped to drive the energy transition, innovation, digitalization and maritime spatial planning.

Looking Ahead

The 2025 WestMED Stakeholder Conference delivered three clear outcomes:

Celebration of award‑winning projects that exemplify innovation and cooperation.
Integration of the EU Ocean Pact and the Pact for the Mediterranean into WestMED’s operational agenda.
Launch of a technical stakeholder group on Blue Skills, setting the stage for long‑term workforce development.

Together, these outcomes reinforce the WestMED Initiative’s role as a catalyst for sustainable growth, resilience, and collaboration across the Western Mediterranean and beyond. Next year’s co-presidency will be taken over by Spain and Tunisia, in line with the rotating governance structure of the WestMED Initiative.

A WestMED steering committee meeting preceded the conference, engaging participating countries and the European Commission in discussions on progress and next steps under the initiative.

Conference report

Download the comprehensive conference report.

man holding phone with checkmark in display - sea in the background.

SURVEY – Help shape the future of Mediterranean initiatives supported by the EU

26 novembre 2025/dans Actualités /par Communication team

As part of the implementation of the WestMED Initiative, we invite project beneficiaries to share insights and experiences through this short survey.

Project beneficiairies are those organizations, institutions, or groups that receive or have received direct support or funding for projects in the Western Mediterranean through funding under EU programmes such as EMFAF, Horizon Europe, INTERREG and others.

Your input is essential to assess the coverage, availability, and ongoing relevance of EU-funded programmes and to improve their design and implementation.

By contributing, you will help us identify lessons learned and shape future sustainable blue economy initiatives in the Mediterranean, ensuring they meet the needs of diverse stakeholders—including participants from both EU and non-EU countries.

About the Survey

Duration: It will take less than 15 minutes to complete.
Confidentiality: All responses will be handled in strict compliance with data protection regulations and used only in aggregated and anonymous form.
Scope: You may base your answers on your experience with one or multiple EU-funded projects.

The questionnaire is structured around 6 Sections:

Introduction
Access to funding
Project results and impact
Networks and consortium building
Understanding the barriers in cross-national and sea basin cooperation
Follow-up and continuation of projects.

Click to access the survey

The survey will remain open until the end of February 2026.

On behalf of the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA), thank you for your time and valuable contribution.

New Study: Climate Change Adaptation in EU Aquaculture

23 novembre 2025/dans Actualités /par Communication team

The European Commission has published a comprehensive study on climate change adaptation in EU aquaculture, providing a timely assessment of the sector’s vulnerabilities, challenges, and opportunities in the face of a changing climate.

Aquaculture is a vital part of Europe’s blue economy, supplying healthy food, supporting coastal communities, and contributing to economic growth. However, the sector is increasingly exposed to climate-related risks such as rising sea temperatures, ocean acidification, extreme weather events, and shifting disease patterns.

Adapting EU aquaculture to climate change is essential for safeguarding food security, jobs, and the health of marine and freshwater ecosystems. The report highlights the importance of collaboration between industry, researchers, and policymakers to accelerate the uptake of adaptation measures and ensure the long-term sustainability of the sector.

DTF25 conference sign with cruise ship in background

DTF 2025 Conference hosted in Malta: Driving the Future of Sustainable Maritime Transport

20 octobre 2025/dans Actualités /par Communication team

The 2025 edition of the Decarbonizing the Future (DTF) conference was held in Malta on 16–17 October, bringing together international experts, policymakers, and industry leaders under the theme “Ports. Power. Partnerships.” The conference served as a key platform for advancing dialogue on sustainable transport, digitalisation, and the decarbonisation of maritime operations in particular through the provision of Onshore Power Supply (OPS).

Organised by EOPSA, Transport Malta and Med Ports Association, the two-day event underscored the growing importance of OPS as a pivotal technology to reduce emissions in ports and align with the EU Green Deal, Fit for 55, and TEN-T objectives. Participants explored pathways to achieve cleaner, more efficient port operations and strengthen collaboration among national and regional maritime authorities.

WestMED at DTF
As part of the DTF Conference, the WestMED Initiative hosted a dedicated side event on “Advancing Sustainable Transport through Onshore Power Supply”. Jointly organised by the WestMED National Hubs for Malta and Italy, the session highlighted the Mediterranean region’s pivotal role in advancing OPS as a tool for sustainable maritime transport.

The event brough together a diverse panel of stakeholders — including government and industry representatives, port authorities, NGOs, and cluster organisations — who discussed opportunities for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and access to EU and regional funding to scale up OPS implementation.

The discussion focused on:

How to scale up OPS across Mediterranean ports;
The role of EU and regional funding to support OPS implementation;
Cross-border cooperation and knowledge-sharing among ports in the WestMED region;
Addressing the policy, technical and investment challenges of decarbonising port operations.

On 17 October, Stephanie Vella (WestMED National Hub Malta) took to the main stage, where she spoke about the #MediterraneanPact that had just been launched, its relevance for regional cooperation on port decarbonisation and the supporting role of WestMED through its Technical Group on Green Shipping.

OPS Connection of MSC Explora II to OPS at Valletta’s port facility
A notable practical outcome during the conference was the connection of MSC Explora II to OPS at Valletta’s port facility, demonstrating the OPS connection. The occasion was marked during a high-level event attended by the Prime Minister of Malta and senior government officials.

MoU DTF and TÜRKLİM
Another key milestone of the DTF 2025 Conference was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between DTF and TÜRKLİM, the association representing 78 private ports and terminals in Türkiye. TÜRKLİM plays a vital role in shaping container, cruise, and liquid bulk operations.

The MoU marks an important chapter in regional cooperation. It reflects DTF’s commitment to expanding its partnerships across the Mediterranean and strengthening the region’s collective capacity to meet climate and digital transformation goals.

The conference concluded with a call to action: to translate dialogue into implementation through concrete projects and collaborative frameworks. As the maritime sector continues its transition toward a low-carbon future, the partnerships and insights forged in Malta are expected to shape future developments across the Mediterranean and beyond.

Pact for the med poster with people cheering

Pact for the Mediterranean Launched: A New Era of Regional Cooperation

17 octobre 2025/dans Actualités /par Communication team

On 16 October 2025, the European Commission officially launched the Pact for the Mediterranean – an ambitious framework to deepen cooperation between the EU and its Southern Mediterranean partners.

The Pact is the result of an extensive and inclusive consultation process that engaged a broad range of stakeholders, including southern Mediterranean partners, EU Member States and institutions, neighbouring countries in the wider region, as well as representatives from civil society, the private sector, academia, think tanks, and cultural and economic organisations.

Marking 30 years since the Barcelona Process, this initiative aims to build a “Common Mediterranean Space” rooted in co-ownership, co-creation, and joint responsibility.

Structured around three pillars – People, Economy, and Security -the Pact sets out over 100 concrete initiatives to drive inclusive growth, connectivity, and resilience across the region:

People: A flagship Mediterranean University, youth mobility schemes, and cultural exchange programmes will foster intergenerational ties and civil society engagement.
Economy: Projects like StartUp4Med and the Trans-Mediterranean Renewable Energy Initiative (T-MED) will boost clean tech, digital infrastructure, and sustainable blue economy development.
Security & Migration: Joint efforts on disaster preparedness, border management, and migration governance aim to enhance regional stability.

The Pact is open for engagement with partners beyond the Southern Mediterranean,including the Gulf, Sub-Saharan Africa, the Western Balkans as well as Türkiye. Stepping up cooperation between the EU, the Middle East and North Africa, and the Gulf region is a key objective.

An action plan is expected in early 2026 following political endorsement in November ’25 on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Barcelona process. Civil society, youth organizations, and regional bodies will be invited to support its implementation.

Dubravka Šuica, Commissioner for the Mediterranean:

« The Pact is a clear testimony of a renewed focus and commitment of the EU to the Mediterranean region. This Pact is about people: the region’s greatest strength lies in its youth, its creativity, and its talent. The Pact is also about shared prosperity. It will bring new investment opportunities and jobs. We will also invest in security, preparedness and migration management. Close cooperation and co-ownership will make this a success story for our citizens on all shores of the Mare Nostrum. »

Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission

« The geopolitical importance of the Mediterranean cannot be overstated. The region connects three continents and acts as a bridge to the European Union for important exchanges amongst people, our economies and on security. With the new Pact for the Mediterranean we open a new chapter and a chance for more productive cooperation and lasting stability in the region. »

Watch the press statement by Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission

Watch the press conference opening remarks by Kaja Kallas, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission

Watch the press Conference opening remarks by Dubravka ŠUICA, European Commissioner for the Mediterranean

More information:
Pact for the Mediterranean – One Sea, One Pact, One Future – a shared ambition for the region – Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf

The Pact for the Mediterranean – Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf

people at an exhibition - seated at a workshop listening to speaker

Water Scarcity in the Mediterranean at the center of attention with AIDARA at the ACCADUEO 2025 Exhibition in Bologna

14 octobre 2025/dans Actualités /par National Hub Italy

The growth of WestMED supported AIDARA (Italian association for desalination and reuse of water) continues in its first year of existence, thanks to the high interest in the challenges of water scarcity.

ACCADUEO, Italy’s leading international trade fair dedicated exclusively to the civil and industrial water sector, is one of the growing number of organisations that support AIDARA’s development. It allowed AIDARA a stand where visitors had a chance to learn more about its objectives, as well as space to organise two specialized workshops. One on Desalination in the Mediterranean Basin (7 October 2025) and one on the ‘Water Positive’ Concept (8 October 2025).

International speakers from Morocco, Libya, UAE, Spain, France took the floor to describe the evolution of desalination technologies, investment plans and good practices to optimize water management in Industrial processes.

Multinational companies like Philip Morris and TETRAPAK, consulting firms specialized in water management like TEHA, COGEA-BIP, STANTEC, ILF and research & innovation initiatives like Plan Bleue described their experiences and their approaches towards a contest which is often seen as a booming business, while it is first and mainly a way to ensure the necessary resource for life on the planet.

Both sessions welcomed a large audience and the Regional Government of Emilia Romagna, through the competent Councillor Irene Priolo, had the opportunity to illustrate the complexity that local and regional authorities face to tackle the extreme consequences of climate change – from water scarcity to overfloods.

Mark your agenda

AIDARA will hold its next event on 2 December 2025, in collaboration with AQP SpA, focusing on Reuse of Treated Waters.

For more information contact Leonardo Manzari (WestMED National Hub Italy): italy@westmed-initiative.ec.europa.eu