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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

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On 28 November 2025, over 200 stakeholders from both shores of the Mediterranean gathered in Tunis, Tunisia, for the 5th 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:

  1. Celebration of award‑winning projects that exemplify innovation and cooperation.
  2. Integration of the EU Ocean Pact and the Pact for the Mediterranean into WestMED’s operational agenda.
  3. 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

A comprehensive conference report will be made available in the coming weeks.

Tunisian startup BluePsol demonstrating a motor at the WestMED Conference 2025 in Tunis

People listeninbg at the WestMED stakeholder conference 2025

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

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

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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:

  1. Introduction
  2. Access to funding
  3. Project results and impact
  4. Networks and consortium building
  5. Understanding the barriers in cross-national and sea basin cooperation
  6. Follow-up and continuation of projects.
Click to access the survey

The survey will remain open from the end of November until mid-January 2026.

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

aquaculture

New Study: Climate Change Adaptation in EU Aquaculture

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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.

Family photo of participants at the WestMED National event on Blue Skills 2025 in Tunis

Tunisia charts the course for a Blue Skills National Strategy by 2030

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Tunis, 28 October 2025 – Acropole Hotel, Lac 1

The Tunisian WestMED National Hub, in partnership with ministries, universities, training centres and economic actors, organised the National Seminar on Blue Skills Development, a unique event that brought together 112 participants from all sectors related to the blue economy.

A unique and unifying event
For the first time, all public institutions, universities, vocational training centres, maritime companies, blue start-ups and NGOs came together to jointly develop a common vision for the development of blue skills in Tunisia.

The main objective was to develop a national roadmap for 2026–2030 to modernise education systems and adapt training to the emerging needs of the maritime economy.

Fruitful discussions and concrete recommendations
The plenary sessions, moderated by Tunisian experts and officials, addressed the major challenges of maritime training, applied research and cross-sector cooperation.

  • the integration of blue skills into secondary education,
  • the modernisation of vocational and university training,
  • and the creation of a national coordination and governance platform.

Participants agreed on the need to create a national blue skills framework, develop emerging sectors (marine energy, aquaculture, circular economy, coastal tourism), and promote the inclusion of young people and women in these new professions.

A collective commitment to youth and sustainability
The work highlighted the importance of investing in maritime human capital as a lever for sustainable development. The partners committed to continuing this momentum through the participatory drafting of the 2026–2030 national roadmap and the implementation of regional pilot actions starting in 2026.

A key step for the blue economy in Tunisia
This seminar, supported by the WestMED project and the European Commission, marks a decisive step in building a more innovative, inclusive and sustainable Tunisian blue economy. It positions Tunisia as a driving force in the Western Mediterranean, ready to transform its maritime assets into opportunities for employment and prosperity for its youth.

 

More information:

For more information contact the WestMED’s National Hub Tunisia:
Imed Zammit
Cell : +21698168167 Email : tunisia@westmed-initiative.ec.europa.eu

Group of people in conference room. WestMED National event 2025 in Tunis

group of people discussing during a break out session in front of a flipchart at the WestMED National event 2025 in Tunis on Blue Skills Group of people during ci=onferenbce break at the WestMED National event 2025 on blue skills in Tunis two people seated at a table discussing Participants at round table at the WestMED National event 2025 in Tunis

Pact for the med poster with people cheering

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

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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

group photo with EU sea basins people in conference room in Brussels during the Macro-Regional and Sea Basin Strategies days in BrusselsSimon Pugh

EU Sea Basins Assistance Mechanism strengthens Maritime Cooperation

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Copyright photo: Simon Pugh

EU Sea Basin Assistance Mechanism gathers experts from 15 countries to discuss maritime regional cooperation in Europe’s Atlantic facade, the Western Mediterranean and the Black Sea

On 25 September 2025, alongside the Macro-Regional and Sea Basins Strategies Days, a dedicated networking event was held in Brussels for the National Hubs of the Sea Basin Strategies’ Assistance Mechanism. The gathering served as a platform for meaningful dialogue, strategic reflection, and future-oriented discussions aimed at advancing the EU’s Sea Basin Strategies and the Ocean Pact.

The session began with presentations on two key EU policy initiatives: the newly introduced European Ocean Pact and the upcoming budget framework for the blue economy.

  • The Ocean Pact outlines the EU’s comprehensive vision for ocean governance, consolidating various ocean-related policies under one strategic umbrella. It focuses on six core objectives: safeguarding ocean health, promoting a sustainable and competitive blue economy, empowering coastal and island communities, enhancing maritime security, expanding ocean literacy and research, and strengthening global ocean diplomacy.
  • The proposed 2028–2034 EU budget aims to offer greater flexibility to Member States and increase support for sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, and maritime sectors. It also prioritizes investment in ocean monitoring, innovation, blue economy initiatives, and international marine governance.

Engaging with National Hubs

National Hubs play a central role in implementing sea basin strategies at the national level. They collaborate closely with the European Commission, national authorities, implementing bodies, and regional stakeholders. During the event, representatives from the National Hubs, Sea Basin coordinators, the Assistance Mechanism team, DG MARE, and CINEA shared perspectives on enhancing future cooperation. The open format encouraged candid discussions on current challenges, opportunities, and reaffirmed a collective commitment to the EU’s maritime vision.

Celebrating Success: Photo Exhibition

On the Macro-Regional and Sea Basins Strategies Days, a photo exhibition showcased impactful projects supported by the Sea Basins Assistance Mechanism. The exhibition featured projects from across the Atlantic, Black Sea and WestMED, such as:

  • Aquawind (Atlantic) – a pioneering project combining offshore renewable energy with finfish aquaculture, offering innovative solutions for sustainable food and energy production.
  • Black Sea CONNECT (Black Sea) – focused on boosting research collaboration and launching the Black Sea Young Ambassadors Programme.
  • 2B-BLUE (WestMED) – aimed at strengthening the blue biotechnology sector through demonstration sites, public–private partnerships, and knowledge exchange.

project photos on a stand during the macro regiobnal and sea basin strategies days in Brussels, 2025

 

These examples illustrate how the Sea Basins Assistance Mechanism is driving innovation, fostering cross-border collaboration, and promoting knowledge-sharing across Europe’s maritime regions. From renewable energy in ports to youth engagement and blue biotech, the showcased projects reflect the Ocean Pact’s goals in action—protecting marine ecosystems, empowering coastal communities, and building a resilient blue economy.

The networking event reaffirmed the essential role of National Hubs in delivering the EU’s Sea Basins Strategies and underscored the importance of ongoing dialogue and cooperation to achieve shared maritime objectives.

Kostas Kadis at the Macro Regional and Sea Basins Strategies Days opening the Conference

javier Fernández on stage presenting during the Macro Regional and Sea Basin Strategies Days Samir Bachoucje from the WestMED Assistance Mechanism modering a session during the Macro Regional and Sea Basin Strategies Days 2025

 

 

panel on stage with speaker during the 2025 paths that last sustainable Tourism Conference in Croatia

WestMED’s Technical Group on Sustainable Tourism participates in the Interreg Tourism Conference ‘Paths that Last’

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200 participants | 8 Programme Organisers | approx 90 Projects | 5 workshops

On 25–26 June 2025, the WestMED’s Technical Group on Sustainable Tourism through the National Hub for Malta (Stephanie Vella), participated in an event held in Split, Croatia, under the Mediterranean Multi-Programme Mechanism titled “Paths That Last – Collaborating for a Sustainable Tourism in the Mediterranean”.

Eight Interreg Programmes working together in the Mediterranean
Next to a wide range of stakeholders. this gathering brought together eight Interreg programmes working across the region including Interreg Euro-MED, Interreg Greece–Cyprus, Interreg Italy–Croatia, Interreg Italy–Slovenia, Interreg Italy–France Maritime, Interreg Italy–Malta, Interreg NEXT Italie–Tunisie, and Interreg NEXT MED.

The goal of the Mediterranean Multi Programme Mechanism is to enhance synergy, coordination, and capitalisation among projects to address common challenges such as sustainable tourism, climate change, and socio-economic development in Mediterranean territories.

The event aimed to foster cross-programme coordination, share good practices, and promote the development of joint project ideas to advance sustainable tourism across the Mediterranean. It created an opportunity for stakeholders to align efforts around shared goals while responding to regional challenges.

Five workshops
Central to the conference were 5 different interactive workshops addressing critical themes for sustainable tourism: Shared and Strategic Governance of the Tourism Offer, Tourism and Green Transition, Inclusive and Accessible Tourism and Innovative Tourism Products

Workshop ‘Shared and Strategic Governance’
The WestMED Technical Group took part in the workshop on Shared and Strategic Governance. Through interactive exercises like the “Imaginary Planet” visioning workshop, the event encouraged creative thinking about future sustainable tourism models, including cross-border governance, local engagement, and sustainable visitor management.

The workshops facilitated the early formation of ideas for joint project proposals, which were later shared during the event’s closing plenary session. Some of the project ideas which were discussed include the application of carrying capacity models particularly in congested areas of tourism, the attraction of tourism in rural areas as a means of spreading the impact of tourism as well as the importance of training to operators in the sectors as well as tourists in order to encourage both the supply and demand of sustainable tourism.

During the workshop, the objectives of the WestMED’s technical group on sustainable tourism were outlined highlighting that the group serves as a technical forum to discuss trends and opportunities towards sustainable tourism within the region and to provide support to participants to develop project ideas around the topics already set at EU level with regards to the tourism-related topics.

The importance of capitalisation was also stressed, highlighting the need to build on the results of past and ongoing projects to avoid duplication and maximise the impact of existing knowledge and tools. Also, emphasis was placed on the importance of ensuring access to region-specific funding opportunities, particularly those that include southern shore countries, to guarantee a balanced approach to sustainable tourism in the Mediterranean.

The event offered a valuable networking opportunity for a range of stakeholders. It was instrumental in reinforcing cooperation, sharing innovation, and building a more cohesive approach to sustainable tourism in the Mediterranean—one that lasts.

Check the event announcement (including agenda)

See below for the Conference recording of the 1st day of this conference.

For more information contact Stephanie Vella: malta@westmed-initiative.eu 

 

people seated at a round table during workshop at the 2025 Interreg Sustainable Tourism Conference in Split Croatia

Photo Source: ASCAME

Recording of the Concerence: Paths That Last – Collaborating for a sustainable tourism in the Mediterranean
meeting with people seated at table against a United Nations Ocean Conference backdrop

UNOC3 Summit ‘For a More Connected Mediterranean’

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On 9 June 2025, the Heads of State and Government and high representatives of Croatia, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Libya, Malta, Morocco, Portugal, Tunisia and the EU on the invitation of the President of the French Republic, gathered at the summit “For a More Connected Mediterranean”, on the sidelines of the third United Nations Ocean Conference.

The meeting also brought together representatives of international organisations, development banks and large companies.

In view of common challenges in the Mediterranean, the Heads of State and Government decided to strengthen their cooperation and work towards shared and sustainable prosperity through a greater maritime, land and digital connectivity between Europe, the Mediterranean and the Gulf.

The Mediterranean Sea accounts for 25% of global maritime traffic and is at the heart of commercial, energy and digital exchanges. In this intense traffic area, States have raised the level of protection of the sea through regulation of transport in the Gulf of Lion a well as the creation of a low-sulphur emission zone, known as SECA zone, which encompasses the entire Mediterranean Sea. The latter was established on 1 May 2025 following the approval of the International Maritime Organisation.

The European Commission recalled that, as part of the Global Gateway strategy in the Middle East and North Africa, the European Union’s support reached €5.9 billion, which is expected to mobilise up to €27.2 billion in private and public investments. Commissioner Šuica also presented the objectives of the upcoming New Pact for the Mediterranean, which aims to strengthen partnerships between the European Union and the countries in the Mediterranean region, based on mutual interests.

Extensive bilateral and regional partnerships were announced for the development of new land and sea connections, the decarbonisation of ports and the deployment of new submarine cables. The participants discussed common objectives to ensure:

1) Decarbonisation of the maritime sector and major Mediterranean ports.

As part of a joint statement, the Mediterranean ports of Algesiras, Beirut and Marseille, announced the creation of a working group contributing to the reduction of shipping’s greenhouse gas emissions by providing ships with onshore power connections in ports while developing infrastructure for supply of alternative fuels and fostering rail or river onward transport towards the hinterland, as well as studying opportunities for new green corridors in the Mediterranean. All Mediterranean ports will be welcome to join the coalition before the COP24 of the Barcelona Convention (Cairo, December 2025). Croatia also announced the launch of its new Rijeka Gateway, green and fully automated, within the port of Rijeka, the most important Croatian port situated on three EU corridors.

2) Strengthening of maritime and land routes for transport of goods and green energy.

France and the European Commission, within the framework of the Global Gateway strategy and the New Pact for the Mediterranean, reiterated their support for the implementation of the India Middle East Europe Corridor (IMEC), including the mobilisation of Global Gateway funding to launch feasibilitystudies for this corridor. France reiterated its support for Egypt’s accession to IMEC, which aims to strengthen connectivity between East and West.

On 30 May 2025, France organised the first IMEC Sherpa meeting since the signature of the Memorandum of Understanding in September 2023. During this meeting, the participants reaffirmed their strong support for the project, as well as the need to consolidate IMEC’s governance while mobilising companies in the strategic sectors concerned. This same group has been invited by the European Commission to meet again, on the sidelines of the Global Gateway Forum to be held in Brussels on 9 and 10 October.

On energy connectivity between Europe and the Gulf, ACWA Power reaffirmed its commitment to convene a private-sector working group alongside leading European energy companies (including partners from France, Germany, Italy and Greece) to explore and develop joint projects in green hydrogen, renewable energy exports and related infrastructure, such as electrical interconnections. This collaborative framework will pave the way for clearer energy flows and the necessary investments under the IMEC corridor.

The Commission also stated the importance of advancing clean energy connectivity with North Africa, notably through the emerging T-MED Initiative, which supports renewable energy investment and infrastructure development across the Mediterranean.

In the Eastern Mediterranean, Greece and Cyprus recalled the implementation of large renewable energy interconnection projects, such as the “GREGY” project, a 950-kilometre submarine cable with a capacity of 3 GW which aims to interconnect Egypt and Greece, or the “Great Sea Interconnector” (GSI), bridging Europe and Middle East with clean energy.

3) Increased digital connections between the Mediterranean and the Gulf.

The participants presented EU’s flagship “Medusa/GEANT” Submarine Cable System initiative, which will not only link the two shores of the Mediterranean, but also Southern Mediterranean countries among themselves, by manufacturing and deploying a submarine cable system based on the most recent technological advancements in fibre optics communications, fully based on European leading-edge technology. It will also contribute addressing the digital divide with partner countries. The network is led by the company AFR-IX telecom, with the support of the Orange Group and the European Union, while Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN) and Elettra Tlc are responsible for its deployment.

Other major initiatives are already currently contributing to the digital influence of the region, such as the Aqaba Digital Hub, which was inaugurated in 2023 and is one of the largest technological centres in the Near East.

Source: https://www.elysee.fr/en/emmanuel-macron/2025/06/09/joint-press-release-summit-for-a-more-connected-mediterranean

group of students showing their certificates

Major milestone for youth and the blue economy in Tunisia with a certified training program in naval welding – A Tunisian-Italian partnership

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The Tunisian Maritime Cluster is proud to celebrate a major milestone for youth and the blue economy in Tunisia!

On May 19, 2025, an official ceremony was held to award certificates to 20 young “naval welders,” the first beneficiaries of the “Building the Future” project — a pioneering and innovative cooperation initiative between Tunisia and Italy.

For the first time in Tunisia, a certified training program in naval welding has been implemented, paving the way for new employment opportunities in a rapidly growing sector: shipbuilding.

This ambitious project is the result of a strategic partnership between Fincantieri, Elis, Orianta, and several public and private stakeholders from both Tunisia and Italy, such as Team Academy – a vocational training center specializing in maritime and environmental fields – and the Tunisian Confederation of Citizen Enterprises (CONECT).

This is a structuring initiative aimed at strengthening local skills, promoting youth employability, and contributing to the sustainable development of the blue economy in Tunisia.

A big congratulations to the 20 dedicated young welders for their determination and inspiring journey!