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event announcement poster MedBan

WestMED Success Story. Maritime Clusters – meet MedBAN, the Mediterranean Blue Acceleration Network

A sustainable Blue Economy requires support to promote and uptake innovation, knowledge, skills as well as access to finance, which is effective and locally-grounded. This is possible through joint actions promoted by socio-economic and institutional actors at local, national and subregional level.

In this respect, maritime clusters (a network of companies, organizations, and institutions involved in the maritime industry) play a crucial role to support local stakeholders active in the Blue Economy.

They do so by supporting innovative products and services, internationalisation of micro, small and medium enterprises, dissemination of new knowledge and skills and ultimately integration of sectoral policies at local and national levels. Maritime Clusters have therefore been growingly acknowledged as essential booster for innovation and diversification of the Blue Economy.

According to a study of the Union for the Mediterranean in 2019, the large majority of Maritime Clusters across the Mediterranean is based in EU countries: Italy, Spain, France. The western Mediterranean seems to be more prone to the promotion of innovation in the Blue Economy through the set-up of clusters: in the EU (mostly regional-level clusters) but also in African countries (mostly national-level clusters).

On a European level, the European Nework of Maritime Clusters (ENMC), has been established in 2023 as a platform for exchanging information and networking between the maritime Cluster organizations of European member states.

piechart with maritime cluster distribution acroiss the MediterraneanSource: UfM Secretariat – Maritime Clusters in the Mediterranean Region (pdf)

WestMED Maritime Cluster alliance
Since its inception in 2021, the WestMED Initiative, through the WestMED Maritime Cluster Alliance, supports strong alliances between the most active Maritime Clusters in the Western Mediterranean and beyond . This has included the launch of a new Maritime Cluster in Mauritania and the recently launched Libyan Maritime Cluster.

The key objectives of the Alliance are:

  • Cluster dialogue: Support exchange of knowledge and practices across maritime and non-maritime clusters
  • South-South cooperation: Boost the development of southern maritime clusters
  • North-South capacity building: Upgrade cluster management skills
  • Provide a platform for private investments in innovative SMEs

The Maritime Cluster Alliance has succesfully supported several project proposals that strengthen maritime clusters in order to secure funding. Next to MedBAN (COSME Euroclusters), these include for example:  MARMED and MAQUAM (funded through ERASMUS+), ELBE Alliance (funded through IKAT), and  Women in Blue Economy – WINBIG, Maritime Clusters CALLMEBLUE, Green Marine MED, and POWER4MED (funded through EMFAF).


MedBAN
The European MedBAN project, short for Mediterranean Blue Acceleration Network, is an initiative to empower small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the blue economy.

It was co-funded by the European Union (Grant Agreement nº 101074763) through the Joint Cluster Initiatives (EUROCLUSTERS) for Europe’s recovery (SMP-COSME-2021-CLUSTER) under the Single Market Programme with a total budget of 1.4 Million euro.  The MedBAN project is therefore closely aligned with the Euroclusters’ specific objectives regarding networks, innovation, adoption of processes and technologies for the twin (digital & sustainable) transition, training for the up and re-skilling of the workforce and  internationalisation of European SMEs.

MedBAN was managed by a consortium of six maritime cluster organizations from five different Mediterranean countries: Portugal, Italy, France, Greece and Spain. Its common mission: to drive innovation, accelerate sustainability and internationalise blue SMEs, to support the transition towards a thriving, resilient and sustainable blue economy.

Stage 1: laying the foundation
The initiative consisted of two stages. First, the Mediterranean blue economy ecosystem was mapped to identify key players, challenges, and opportunities. This ensured that the actions by MedBAN would generate maximum impact on sustainable blue economy growth in the region. It resulted in identifying the five most critical sectors that MedBAN would focus on: aquaculture, fisheries, tourism, ports and renewable energies. SMEs in these sectors were specifically targeted in the 2nd phase of the project.

Next to this,the coherence between the challenges found in each of the  the abovementioned sectors and the national and regional policies of each partner country of the consortium (national Resilience Plans) was analysed to ensure alignment from that perspective as well.

This first stage also consisted of 2 short online training sessions  for the cluster staff members of the participating cluster organisations, with an emphasis on challenges and needs for succesful projects and sharing best practices – which proved not only useful in the context of this project but also for dealing with members of each individual cluster organisation beyond the scope of this project.

Stage 2:  support SMEs with technical assistance/ services
The second stage consisted of offering selected SMEs and startups a large set of services to boost their business, ranging from market research to international matchmaking.  These services were offered by a pool of (mostly)pre-selected third parties that were funded by MedBAN in line with the awarded budget.

SMEs could apply for these services by submitting a specific project proposal via  ‘cascade funding’ calls in two categories: 1) Innovation, training and twin transformation to allow for modernisation of the business processes and 2) ‘internationalisation’ to allow for growing their business across borders. Both the call texts and the subsequent selection of proposals was based on the findings generated during the first phase.

Results
57 proposals from 49 SMEs were awarded support, with eight SMEs being awarded support for 2 proposals (one in each category). This support totalled  little over 1 Million Euro and consisted of organisations from 8 countries – mainly situated around the Mediterranean.

Project leaders on stage to discuss results of the MedBAN support at the final MedBAN conference in 2025

During MedBAN’s final conference in March 2025, some of these selected SMEs shared the impact of this project on their respective businesses:

Hydrotwin : a start-up specialised in underwater noise monitoring received MedBAN support regarding market and market penetration analysis to better explain its potential to investors and decision makers. It led a.o. to the identification of marine offshore renewables as a priority market.

Seaentia : a sustainable aquaculture startup. MedBAN allowed them to develop their export strategy to export their fish to other EU countries, keeping in mind that the long term strategy is to produce locally. One of the elements they focused on was EU regulatory compliance regarding hygiene and food safety in the transport of  fresh fish

Cyclefi : an SME that develops software and hardware solutions to tackle, waste, energy and water challenges. MedBAN allowed them to expand the market from focusing primarly on municipalities to ports .  This involved a.o. a comprehensive mapping of waste management within EU ports and Greece in specific, including the definition of an international matchmaking plan.  They have now been able to start with Piraeus port, to tackle waste generated by its millions of (tourist) visitors.

Maritime world : a startup specialised in short conferences, workshops, B2B meetings and technical tours across Europe, dedicated to the maritime industry. MedBAN support allowed for significant (international) growth, especially by getting better connected to high quality organisations across the Mediterranean, including the North African countries. One of the actions was a thorough Market Analysis that provided a database with contacts of more than 130 organisations. Maritime World is now on the way to create one of the biggest maritime conferences in Malta by the end of the year.

PesCo : a start-up with an online platform focused on sustainable fishing tourism, matching local fishermen with tourists. Through the MedBAN support they managed boost their network with hotels, tour- and travel agencies. They also received support to develop toolkits for two key target groups: guides (captains) to help improve the sustainability viewpoint and clients (exploreres) to help prepare for the fishing experience.

The common denominator was that MedBAN allowed them to take steps that would’ve otherwise taken much longer to develop.

Watch the full panel discussion

representatives from the MedBan partners holding and rasing hands to celebrate their commitment to the MedBAN mission

Moving forward
The consortium partners committed themselves to further build on MedBAN’s success. This was underlined  by signing the MedBAN Statutes (charter of principles); in which partners pledge to explore new opportunities of collaboration, foster stronger collaboration among clusters, commit to ongoing exploration of funding opportunities, and ensure long-term sustainability.

It was also underlined by signing a Memorandum Of Understanding for with CALLMEBLUE (Cluster Alliance Med Blue) to strengthen strategic collaboration.

Memorandum of Understanding between MedBAN and CallmeBlue signed at the MedBAN final Conference in 2025 with representivaes showing the signed document

 

WestMED connection
The initial idea for MedBAN was born in September 2021 at Seafuture in La Spezia and evolved through WestMED’s Maritime Clusters Alliance Technical Group into a successful submission for COSME funding. Next to this, Stephanie Vella (WestMED National Hub Malta) was an official ‘MedBAN ambassador’ and Lorella Ciutti (WestMED National Hub Portugal), MedBAN’s project coordinator. MedBAN has, in this respect, been supported  by the WestMED Assistance Mechanism from start to finish.

At the end of the MedBAN conference, project leader Ruben Eiras summed it all up: « Here we are, celebrating Europe. When we look at the numbers, of course, [the project] is just a drop in the ocean—but it is an important drop. Today, the Blue Economy represents innovation, defence, and sustainability—connecting, aggregating, and linking. What we aim for in a few year’s time, when we have MedBAN 2.0, is that we have investment funds and private actors with more capital to invest in these SMEs to make them grow. Let’s triple these numbers and make the Blue Economy happen! »

 

More info about MedBAN
Budget Total:  € 1.399.384,00

EU Contribution: €1.364.446,00

Partners/ Countries Coordinator/ lead:  Forum Oceano (Portugal)

Federazione del Mare (Italy)

Cluster BIG – Blue Italian Growth (Italy)

CMIB Cluster Marítimo Illes Balears (Spain)

Strategis – Maritime ICT Cluster (Greece)

Pôle Mer Méditerranée (France)

Affiliated: Magellan (Portugal)

Follow Website
Duration 1 September 2022 – 31 March 2025

 

 

Ufm Mediterranean pavillion stand with people passing by at an exhibition

UfM and Interreg NEXT MED renew commitment to tackle regional challenges together

12 March 2025, Barcelona – The Union for the Mediterranean and Interreg NEXT MED, the largest EU-funded transnational cooperation programme promoting socioeconomic development and environmental initiatives in the Mediterranean Basin, have reached an agreement formally extending collaboration between both parties for at least another three years.

The Memorandum of Understanding, which highlights how both Euro-Mediterranean institutions strive to reinforce political, socioeconomic, and cultural ties in the region, was signed by UfM Secretary General Nasser Kamel and Director General of the Interreg NEXT MED Programme Giovanna Medde. The agreement, significantly, foresees mutual participation in events and conferences and, when relevant, extends invitations to participate in internal meetings as observers. It will also see the organisations continue to exchange information on projects of common interest, identify joint coordination actions and raise awareness of regional challenges together.

“The UfM and Interreg NEXT MED are united by the common goal of enhanced dialogue and cooperation between Mediterranean countries. The indisputable success of our partnership over the years is a positive sign for the future,” said UfM Secretary General Nasser Kamel. “The UfM remains convinced of the long-term constructive influence of this alliance and looks forward to three more years of shared accomplishments.”

The long-standing partnership between these Euro-Mediterranean institutions has resulted in a multitude of impactful actions including Interreg NEXT MED’s participation in the UfM-sponsored Mediterranean Pavilion at the latest three United Nations Climate Change Conferences, its commemoration of the anniversary of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership, and involvement in thematic UfM forums on youth empowerment or the blue economy, among others.

“The UfM-Interreg NEXT MED agreement has been instrumental in enhancing coordination between both institutions,” said Giovanna Medde, Director General of the Interreg NEXT MED Programme. “It is essential for developing and implementing jointly-owned solutions to the complex challenges our region faces. I am confident that renewing it will help us move closer to achieving our common goal of a more integrated, peaceful and prosperous Mediterranean.”

Source UfM website

slider poster with vector of project people holding puzzle pieces

Mises à jour régulières des activités des groupes thématiques de parties prenantes de WestMED (technique)

Le mécanisme d’assistance WestMED (WM-AM) a lancé plusieurs plates-formes de discussion thématiques. Les développements maritimes actuels et futurs sont discutés avec les principales parties prenantes des pays participants sous la direction des facilitateurs du MMAM, en mettant l’accent sur des actions concrètes – souvent sous la forme de développement de projets conjoints.

Afin de donner un aperçu des objectifs et des activités de ces groupes de parties prenantes, des mises à jour régulières seront fournies sous la forme de courtes présentations. Ces présentations sont disponibles sous forme de fichier pdf sur les pages des groupes de parties prenantes thématiques respectifs :

Si vous souhaitez en savoir plus ou envisager de vous inscrire, il vous suffit de prendre contact avec les centres nationaux WestMED mentionnés sur chacune de ces pages.

white blue city sidibou-said,tunisia with blue sea in the background

La Tunisie assure la coprésidence de l’initiative WestMED

La République tunisienne, représentée par le ministère des Affaires étrangères, de la Migration et des Tunisiens à l’étranger et le Secrétariat général de la mer, assure la coprésidence de l’initiative WestMED pour une économie bleue durable en Méditerranée occidentale de janvier 2025 à décembre 2026.

Compte tenu de son fort engagement en faveur des principes et des valeurs de coexistence pacifique et de développement durable entre les peuples de la région, la Tunisie coprésidera l’initiative avec le Portugal en 2025, puis avec l’Espagne en 2026, conformément à la coprésidence tournante de l’initiative. La Tunisie a pris le relais de la Mauritanie qui a assumé ce rôle au cours des deux dernières années.

La coprésidence tunisienne sera l’occasion de refléter les préoccupations et les attentes des Etats du Sud membres de l’Initiative à travers des stratégies et des politiques de coopération en faveur d’une économie bleue durable visant à harmoniser le développement entre les deux rives de la Méditerranée occidentale, notamment dans les domaines du transport vert, des compétences bleues, du tourisme durable, de la pêche et de l’aquaculture durables, ainsi que de la préservation et de l’autonomisation des zones et des communautés côtières.

A cet égard, la Tunisie a l’intention de travailler avec ses partenaires de l’Initiative WestMED sur des questions visant à :

  • Souligner la nécessité d’une coopération plus forte entre les membres de l’initiative pour atteindre les objectifs de décarbonisation et de transport maritime vert.
  • Créer des synergies entre les pays du nord et du sud de la Méditerranée afin d’assurer une transition énergétique en douceur de la flotte commerciale et de la flotte de pêche.
  • Promouvoir des pratiques de pêche durables et atténuer les impacts de l’aquaculture sur l’environnement marin.
  • Remédier aux disparités dans le développement des infrastructures portuaires entre les pays du nord et du sud de la Méditerranée.
  • Assurer la transition vers des pratiques plus durables dans le secteur du tourisme.
  • Développer des programmes de formation aux compétences bleues et faciliter la coopération entre les deux rives de la Méditerranée occidentale pour partager le savoir-faire et renforcer les capacités et les carrières dans l’économie bleue, en particulier en termes de durabilité et de décarbonisation.
aerial from container ship at sea with TG Green shipping logo

Launch of S3 Thematic partnership “Shipbuilding Propulsion Systems Alliance” with 26 partners from 3 EU sea basins

Maritime transport and Ports probably represent the core sector, to win the challenge of sustainability of the Blue Economy, considering its impact in terms of Gross Value Added (GVA) and jobs creation across the EU and its neighbouriung regions.

Greening the EU maritime transport is therefore pivotal to ‘green’ the EU blue economy at large (including tourism, aquaculture, biotechs, marine renewable energy).

But a green transition for the EU maritime transport sectors requires a common vision to equip ports and fleets in a coherent way, within a network capable to ensure their operativity.

Therefore, within the work of the WestMED Technical Group on Green Shipping,the strong need emerged to re-configurate the shipbuilding supply chain and create the production capacity to equip the fleets with propulsion systems, using alternative fuels.

Shipbuilding Propulsion Systems Alliance
For this reason the WestMED Technical Group on Green Shipping, the EU Seabasin Assistance Mechanism, promoted by CINEA and DG Mare, have supported a dedicated Smart Specialisation (S3) Thematic Partnership in this area, encountering the interest of the impacted territories where shipbuilding operations are mostly located, and involving different stakeholders – authorities, research and innovation centres, businesses and investors.

 The newly launched S3 Thematic partnership “Shipbuilding Propulsion Systems Alliance”, led by Region Liguria, Região capital de Portugal, Region Attica, brings together 26 partners – including Regional Bodies, Businesses, Cluster Organisations, Research & Innovation Centres and Civil Society Organisations – from 5 EU Member states  and 4 non EU partner countries spread across 3 EU Sea basins (Mediterranean Atlantic, Black Sea).

 The initiative, more specifically, aims at:

  • Speeding  up the modernisation and renewal of the supply chains related to the production/refitting of propulsion systems, as well as to the delivery of the fuel, for each type of alternative fuel.
  • Accelerating the replacement/refitting of traditionally propelled fleets to diversify, renew, revitalise the sector across Europe and its neighbourhoods;
  • Fostering the adoption of innovative fiscal and financial schemes, to allow shipowners, shipbuilders and related stakeholders to achieve greater impact and sustainability for their investments.

 

For more information on this Partnership, visit the  S3 Community of Practice page of the European Commission

Salem Miladi presenting  at WestMED national event in Tunis on November 4, 2024

WestMED, RebootMED et BlueMissionMED se réunissent à Tunis pour stimuler les efforts des parties prenantes en faveur d’une économie bleue durable

Le 4 novembre 2024, l’événement national WestMED en Tunisie sur l’économie bleue a été organisé en partenariat avec le projet REBOOTMED et le projet BlueMissionMed. L’objectif était de renforcer les synergies entre trois projets européens majeurs qui se concentrent sur le renforcement de l’économie bleue durable dans la région et de discuter des développements majeurs liés à des domaines spécifiques : le transport maritime grec, la pêche et l’aquaculture et le tourisme.

Cet événement a également été organisé en étroite collaboration avec le coordinateur national tunisien de l’initiative WestMED, le secrétariat général des affaires maritimes, le ministère du transport et le ministère de l’agriculture et de la pêche.

L’événement a réuni plus de 130 invités, dont la délégation de l’UE à Tunis, des responsables sectoriels impliqués dans les différents thèmes, des autorités nationales, des chercheurs, des universités et la société civile.

En ce qui concerne le transport maritime vert, la présentation de WestMED s’est concentrée sur les progrès de la Tunisie dans la mise en œuvre de la transition énergétique dans la flotte maritime tunisienne et l’adaptation de l’infrastructure portuaire à cette transition. Les discussions de l’atelier de l’après-midi ont mis en évidence la nécessité d’élaborer une feuille de route pour adapter les navires et les infrastructures portuaires aux nouvelles exigences réglementaires de l’OMI et de l’Union européenne.

Les participants ont insisté sur l’urgence de développer cette feuille de route, si l’on veut respecter les délais imposés par ces réglementations. La multitude de carburants alternatifs disponibles nécessite la collaboration des acteurs du transport et des ports maritimes pour faire de cette transition un succès avec un minimum d’effets négatifs.

Le deuxième thème abordé était le développement d’une aquaculture et d’une pêche durables et la nécessité d’utiliser de nouvelles technologies dans ce domaine, tout en préservant l’environnement et les écosystèmes. L’atelier a travaillé en quatre sous-groupes pour déterminer comment le secteur de la pêche et de l’aquaculture contribue à la réalisation de tous les objectifs de développement durable (ODD), ainsi que les mesures à prendre pour surmonter les difficultés et les défis qui entravent la réalisation des ODD dans ce secteur. (aperçu des résultats)

Le troisième thème était le tourisme durable. Le ministère du tourisme a présenté sa vision du tourisme 2035 (voir l’article de presse), ainsi que de nouvelles initiatives pour développer le tourisme durable, en particulier les itinéraires thématiques et l’organisation de gestion des destinations (DMO). Par ailleurs, le ministère de l’Environnement a présenté sa feuille de route pour l’économie bleue, détaillant les actions prioritaires à mettre en œuvre pour assurer un tourisme bleu durable. L’Observatoire du Sahel et du Sahara a également souligné la contribution de la comptabilité écosystémique du capital naturel. En clôture de la session sur le tourisme, l’Agence du Tourisme de Corse a présenté les bonnes pratiques adoptées par la région pour encourager la transition vers un tourisme durable et responsable.

Voici quelques-unes des principales recommandations issues de la discussion qui a suivi :

  • UE : Allouer un financement spécifique au tourisme durable et donner la priorité aux pratiques vertes.
  • Programmes et initiatives, y compris le nouveau groupe technique WestMED sur le tourisme durable : Améliorer la coordination des projets et des programmes, promouvoir le tourisme de nature tout au long de l’année et développer des cadres juridiques pour le pescatourisme.
  • Implication régionale : Donner aux régions les moyens de définir et de mettre en œuvre des stratégies de tourisme durable.
  • Partenariats public-privé : Renforcer les partenariats pour favoriser l’innovation, la résilience et l’adaptation au changement climatique.

Les participants représentant les secteurs public et privé, y compris l’Office national du tourisme tunisien, le ministère du tourisme mauritanien, la région sicilienne et la Chambre de commerce et d’industrie de CAP BON (TN), ont partagé leurs idées sur la façon dont ces recommandations s’intègrent dans leurs stratégies, en mettant l’accent sur la diversification des produits, le renforcement des capacités locales et la promotion du tourisme hors saison.

L’événement a souligné la nécessité d’une collaboration continue pour intégrer ces recommandations à travers la Méditerranée et un bon exemple de la façon dont trois initiatives de l’UE bleue peuvent regrouper leurs efforts collectifs pour aider à atteindre cet objectif.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Protocole d’accord entre l’incubateur algérien « Leancubator » et le Cluster Maritime Tunisien

Dans le cadre de la Conférence sur Economie Bleue tenue le 15 octobre à Alger, un accord a été signé par Mr Harizi Directeur Général de l’Incubateur « Leancubator » Algérien et Mr Ezzedune Kacem président du Cluster Maritime Tunisien. Cette signature a été effectuée en présence du Ministre de l’Economie de la Connaissance, des Start-Up et des Microentreprises, et l’Inspecteur Général du Ministère de la Pêche et des Productions Halieutiques.

Selon Mr Harizi, cet accord prévoit « la création d’opportunités pour les acteurs algériens dans le domaine de l’économie bleue, à travers la coopération internationale, l’échange d’expertises entre les deux pays et le soutien à l’innovation entre eux, avec des projets conjoints à venir dans les prochains mois.

De son côté Mr Kacem a affirmé que ces accords visent à créer des clusters maritimes dans tous les pays d’Afrique du nord, pour ensuite établir une organisation regroupant tous les clusters de la région. Il a insisté sur la nécessité de la collaboration entre le cluster tunisien et son homologue algérien en cours de constitution.

Pour plus d’informations, contactez Salem Miladi (WestMED Hub National Tunisie) :  tunisia@westmed-inititiative.ec.europa.eu

 

people sitting on stage during callmeblue event in Tunisia on 14 October 2024

WestMED Tunisia presents maritime cluster actions during CallmeBlue event

On 14 October 2024, WestMED’s National Hub Tunisia particpated in a workshop organised by the Cluster Maritime Tunisien, titled  ‘Maritime clusters, catalysts for the development of the blue economy’.

This workshop was part of the European CallmeBlue project, which aims to strengthen synergies between maritime clusters in the North and South and to promote regional maritime dynamics.

The event brought together players from the maritime sector to strengthen opportunities for collaboration, identify innovative projects, encourage collaboration between public companies and institutions and private companies, and involve environmental protection institutions and civil society in the debate on the blue economy.

The National Hub presented the objectives and priorities of the Westmed project and outlined the results of the work of the technical and discussion groups, emphasising the cluster’s role in developing relations between the various players in the maritime world in order to create synergies and development opportunities.

The Secretary General for Maritime Affairs presented the objectives and priorities of the national strategy for the blue economy and emphasised the role of the maritime cluster as a catalyst for the development of the blue professions.

 

Le cluster maritime libyen créé avec le soutien du cluster maritime tunisien

Dans le cadre de la création du Cluster Maritime Maghrébin, Mr Ezzedine Kacem, président du cluster maritime tunisien a participé à l’adoption des statuts définitifs du Cluster Maritime Libyen par son assemblée constituante le 18/09/2024.

La déclaration officielle de cette création a été annoncée le 29 septembre 2024 à l’Université Omar El Mokhtar El Baida (Lybie) réunissant 14 membres fondateurs spécialistes des différents secteurs maritimes en Lybie. Le Président fondateur est Mr Ali Shagrouni et la Présidente du conseil d’administration Dr Masauda Abuarosha, tous deux Coordinateur et Hub National libyens du projet Westmed.

Cette réalisation des parties prenantes Libyennes est de nature à promouvoir l’économie bleue en Lybie et marque une étape significative dans la concrétisation de la stratégie du Cluster Maritime Tunisien (CMT) pour la création du Cluster Maritime Maghrébin et renforce la coopération entre les opérateurs de l’économie bleue dans les deux pays.

Plus d’informations sur l’annonce du Cluster maritime libyen

WestMED Steering Committee members sitting around a larfge conference table in Portugal, October 1, 2024

WestMED Stakeholders gather in Portugal for a 3-day agenda on the Blue Economy

Three full days have been dedicated to enhancing synergies among key actors in the Mediterranean basin: The WestMED Steering Comittee (SC) on October 1, The UfM Regional Platform on the Blue Economy on October 2, and the WestMED Hackathon on October 3, 2024.

WestMED Steering Committee
The WestMED Steering Committee (SC) was hosted by the Region of Algarve and the Portuguese Co-Presidency.

The meeting gathered representatives from the WestMED countries, as well as the Observers, DG MARE, CINEA, UfM and the team of the Assistance Mechanism.

A key milestone was presented at the SC meeting in terms of cooperation and clustering within the Mediterranean region. On 29 September 2024, the first maritime cluster has been officially established in Libya with the support of the WestMED Initiative. This maritime cluster will be rolled out in the coming months. (see article on this announcement).

Updates on the WestMED Technical Groups (TGs) were presented by the Assistance Mechanism, in particular to the recently approved TG on Sustainable Tourism. There has been a call for Tourism experts to join, and there has already been a stakeholder group meeting on September 6 and an advisory group meeting on September 18 to prepare for the official launch at the Sun&Blue Conference on November 21.

The WestMED countries are fully committed  towards a more sustainable and resilience tourism section in the Mediterranean. Some countries are working to promote more environmental-friendly tourism alternatives such as pesca-tourism and sustainable scuba diving at artificial reefs.

In view of the willingness of the WestMED Initiative towards enhancing more synergies and cooperative dialogue with the African countries, DG MARE presented the Strategic Dialogue on the Africa-Europe Ocean Economy. A scoping report has been produced outlining way to strengthen cooperation between Africa and Europe on ocean governance and blue economy, from which to forge a mutually beneficial roadmap for the two continents in line with the 2030 UN Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

UfM Regional Platform on Sustainable Blue Economy

Back-to-back to the WestMED Steering Committee, the UfM Regional Platform took place on 2 October 2024

The UfM Secretariat introduced the most recent advancements on the update of the Roadmap for the implementation of the 2021 UfM Ministerial Declaration on Sustainable Blue Economy. On the monitoring, reporting and evaluation mechanism, an exhaustive exercise is being done based on 657 actions, activities and projects of regional cooperation in the Mediterranean.

The UfM is going to shortly launch the new edition of the UfM Sustainable Blue Economy Publication, which provides an update on the status of the key blue economy sectors in the Mediterranean, including transversal aspects such as blue skills, marine research and funding frameworks. The previous edition of this 2021 publication can be found here.

On this occasion, the UfM Regional Plan for Transport was presented by Francesc Carbonell. Further synergies are being sought between the WestMED Technical Group on Green Shipping and Ports and the UfM Regional Plan for Transport, to address the common challenges of the sector in the Mediterranean.

Further updates were presented in terms of the Community of Practice on MSP (Smart Specialization Strategies – S3, Mission Restore Our Oceans by 2030 and BlueMissionMed, Interreg Euro-Med and strategy dialogue on the Africa-Europe Ocean Economy.

On the funding opportunities, updates were presented in the Blue Mediterranean Partnership, Interreg Next-MED and the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership.

WestMED Hackaton 2024

On 3 October 2024, 85 stakeholders from more than 20 countries met in Vilamoura, Portugal to discuss project ideas and possible funding sources. This was already the 3rd hackathon after previous sessions in Palermo (2019) and Malta (2022).

Read the full article

Download the agenda

Watch all WestMED Hackathon ’24 presentations: dedicated playlist on WestMED’s YouTube channel

 

Marisa Lameiras da Silva (Portugal) and Demba Diawara (Mauritania) co-chairing the WestMED Steering Committee | Copyright photos: DGPM