The European Union is offering a funding opportunity aimed at advancing sustainable and innovative practices in the blue economy. This initiative supports projects that align with key EU strategies, including the EU Bioeconomy Strategy, the Zero Pollution Action Plan, and the Sustainable Blue Economy Strategy. The goal is to foster a carbon-neutral and circular blue economy by 2030.
Projects funded under this opportunity are expected to demonstrate the industrial scalability of sustainable macroalgae cultivation and valorization, develop novel bio-based products, and create socio-economic benefits such as job creation. They should also ensure environmental sustainability and contribute to biodiversity and water quality preservation.
The scope of the projects includes optimizing macroalgal feedstock for high market potential applications, demonstrating scalable and sustainable cultivation systems, and converting biomass into valuable bio-based products. Proposals must ensure resource and energy efficiency, environmental safety, and public acceptance. Additionally, projects should engage local authorities and end-users, complement ongoing research, and synergize with the European Algae Stakeholder Platform.
Projects results are expected to contribute to the following expected outcomes:
- Proven industrial scalability potential of sustainable cultivation, pretreatment and valorisation options for macroalgae species.
- Novel bio-based product(s) and viable business opportunities for bio-based applications from cultivated macroalgae.
- Socio-economic benefits with demonstrated potential for job creation and/or preservation (e.g. in case of declining blue economy professions).
- Demonstrated environmental sustainability, encompassing biodiversity and water quality preservation and/or enhancement, and, when applicable, restoration.