![Printer Version Printer Version](https://atlantic-maritime-strategy.ec.europa.eu/sites/all/modules/print/icons/print_icon.png)
![Send by email Send by email](https://atlantic-maritime-strategy.ec.europa.eu/sites/all/modules/print/print_mail/icons/mail_icon.png)
This statement applies to content published on the domain: https://atlantic-maritime-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en
It does not apply to other content or websites published on any of its subdomains. These websites and their content will have their own specific accessibility statement.
This website is managed by European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency. It is designed to be used by as many people as possible, including people with disabilities.
You should be able to:
We are excited to share with you the new European Blue Forum website.
We are excited to share with you the new European Blue Forum website!
ProtoAtlantic, an Interreg Atlantic Area funded project, provided marine-specific support mechanisms to marine start-ups and SMEs in emerging sectors, including business support through the accelerator and mentorship programs, enabling companies to fast track their product development through access to prototyping and testing facilities in all partner regions.
The European Commission has through the Blue Growth objectives for the first time highlighted marine sectors as unique market opportunities with high growth potential which carry socio-economic importance to the development of coastal regions. Particularly marine sectors such as aquaculture, marine robotics, and marine renewable energy which fulfil global needs in food safety and security, enable monitoring and exploration in harsh and remote conditions, and globally growing energy needs were recognized as catalysts to achieve sustainable development.
Marine start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) were identified as potential drivers in emerging marine sectors. However, they require support mechanisms tailored to their needs as they are competing for the same business and financial support as land-based SMEs, yet the research and development infrastructure is more difficult to access.
The main objective of the project was to develop a model for the prototyping and exploitation of innovative ideas in the maritime sector.
We identified product innovation capacity in the maritime sector willing to address emerging markets in a cocreation paradigm with the local start-up communities, research centres and universities.
We based the project actions in existing co-working spaces and blue acceleration programs specialized in the marine sector and replicated success stories. For that purpose, we implemented an acceleration program, starting from ideation to market access where a normed and structured process was used to manage product innovation. The acceleration programs attracted innovative ideas, covering from business model to market validation, including test phases in the most important European infrastructures.
The PROTOATLANTIC network allowed us to find the best place to build and test the prototype, and to identify the best places for the company to establish and launch its business. We involved policymakers and business support agencies to provide the ecosystem of legal and long-term support.
The main objective of the project was to develop a model for the prototyping and exploitation of innovative ideas in the maritime sector.
We identified product innovation capacity in the maritime sector willing to address emerging markets in a cocreation paradigm with the local start-up communities, research centres and universities.
We based the project actions in existing co-working spaces and blue acceleration programs specialized in the marine sector and replicated success stories. For that purpose, we implemented an acceleration program, starting from ideation to market access where a normed and structured process was used to manage product innovation.
The acceleration programs attracted innovative ideas, covering from business model to market validation, including test phases in the most important European infrastructures.
The PROTOATLANTIC network allowed us to find the best place to build and test the prototype, and to identify the best places for the company to establish and launch its business. We involved policy makers and business support agencies to provide the ecosystem of a legal and long-term support.
The Interreg Atlantic Area encompasses partner regions in France, Ireland, Portugal, Scotland, and Spain. The consortium partners consist of Technopôle Brest Iroise (Brest, France), University College Cork – UCC (Cork, Ireland), County Council Cork (Cork, Ireland), INESC TEC (Porto, Portugal), the European Marine Energy Centre – EMEC (Orkney, Scotland), EMERGE (Canary Islands, Spain), and the lead partner, Innovalia Association (Canary Islands, Spain). The strategic collaboration between the partners provided marine start-ups access to testing facilities in the Atlantic Ocean. The extreme living laboratories provided by EMEC, the LiR National Ocean Testing Facilities at UCC’s Centre of Marine and Renewable Energy (MaREI centre), and INESC TEC promise harsh real-life conditions which test the suitability of marine technologies to the limit thereby providing start-ups and SMEs with an extra layer of confidence in
developing their technologies. This cross-regional collaboration puts the ProtoAltantic program in a unique position, as it is the first of its kind to dedicate marine-specific support to marine startups and SMEs which have benefited from the opportunities that ProtoAtlantic has provided.
The Union Civil Protection Mechanism budget for the next 7 years (2021-2027) amounts to €3.3 billion. This encompasses the Multiannual Financial Framework allocation of €1.263 billion and the additional Next Generation EU allocation of €2.056 billion as a temporary reinforcement addressing the recovery needs of the EU and its Member States as a consequence of the COVID-19 crisis.
Horizon Europe is the EU’s key funding programme for research and innovation with a budget of €95.5 billion.
The European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) will run from 2021 to 2027 and aims to support the EU common fisheries policy (CFP), the EU maritime policy and the EU agenda for international ocean governance. It provides support for developing innovative projects ensuring that aquatic and maritime resources are used sustainably.
Claúdia Rocha is the Engagement Leader of the Assistance Mechanism for the Atlantic Action Plan. Cláudia joined PwC in 1996 and she is currently the Strategy Advisory leader in PwC Portugal, Angola and Cape Verde. With more than 24 years of professional experience, she has been working for several years with private and public organisations, assisting them in the execution of major investment projects, in Portugal, Angola and Cape Verde. She has been responsible for the coordination of multidisciplinary teams in projects related to the elaboration of strategic plan, business plans, companies and businesses valuations, financial structuring of capital projects, model reviews, economic and financial feasibility studies, analysis of strategic options including financial restructurings, identification of investors, fundraising and identification of strategic partners in the development of new projects, market analysis, economic impact analyses and other specialised interventions. Cláudia is a member of PwC Blue Economy Centre of Excellence PwC Portugal and has a wide client base in the Maritime industries sector, including: Leixões Cruise Terminals, Port Authority of the Setúbal and Sesimbra region, Urban Wind, Windplus, REN, among other entities at national, regional and local levels. Under the scope of the public sector Cláudia worked with Cape Verde Ministry of Finance, Portugal Ministry of Economy, eSPap (Portuguese Public Administration Shared Services Center Entity), AEP (Portuguese Business Association), AIP (Portuguese Industrial Association), FLAD (Portuguese-American Foundation for Development Aid), Cape Verde Government, IFD (Portuguese Financial Development Institution), etc. She has a close relationship with several intergovernmental institutions, such as World Bank, African Development Bank, IMF, European Investment Bank, European Commission, since she has been involved in the intermediation between her clients and these organisations, in specific projects.
Pedro is the Support Leader of the Assistance Mechanism for the Atlantic Strategy. He is a Director of Strategy Advisory department, at the PwC Portugal. He is also the responsible of PwC Blue Economy Centre of Excellence PwC Portugal. Pedro has an undergraduate degree in Industrial Engineering and Management; Master’s in science in Industrial Engineering and Management; Prince2 Practitioner Certification; and, INSEAD Strategy Execution Programme. Pedro has more than 8 years of professional experience in finance, investment and assessing of financial viability of companies/projects plus market and sectoral analysis, PMO and analytics. In his career as a consultant to European Institutions, he has worked in projects related to intellectual property, innovation, entrepreneurship, support to growth SMEs and member state convergence. Pedro is part of the team of the Blueinvest project and is responsible for the Digital Blue Economy Platform Development, project in partnership with Forum Oceano that intends to provide an integrated quantitative analysis of the overall Blue Economy trends and for each sector, in a sustainable and inclusive approach, by presenting relevant performance indicators of a geography and its positioning, in a visual and dynamic format.
Mariana Taylor Jesus
Mariana is the Sea Basin Coordinator for the Atlantic and is a Strategy Advisory Manager at PwC Portugal. Mariana has more than 7 years relevant experience. Her relevant certifications are Undergraduate Degree in Business Administration; Master of Science in Business Administration, Major in Innovation and Technology. Mariana has a strong knowledge in strategy planning projects, as well as preparing and presenting training sessions, developing benchmark studies, supporting strategy implementation as PMO and designing efficient and effective processes in different industries. Mariana is native in Portuguese, fluent in English and Spanish both spoken and written. Mariana has been involved in the previous Atlantic Assistance Mechanism as Project Manager for the Central Team.
Ana Gonçalves is a Senior Consultant at PwC Portugal, being the Central Point of Contact for the Atlantic Assistance Mechanism. Ana is a master graduate with a technological academic background and successful experiences in top multinational companies in the private sector, in the fields of information technologies and consultancy. She is an experienced senior strategy and finance consultant with solid experience in project management, consulting, strategy, operations and innovation.
Elina Zempili is the Monitoring Expert of the Assistance Mechanism for the Atlantic Action Plan. Elina has over 20 years of experience in managing complex EU-funded technical assistance projects and in managing multi-national teams of experts. Elina is a leader in the international project area, specialised on the monitoring and evaluation of development projects, and has been responsible for the identification and supervision of international and local experts for the implementation of several EU development assistance projects.She has worked extensively in several EU projects, where she has managed large multi-dimensional teams comprised of experts in the various fields of communications, public relations, community buliding, monitoring, innovation, SMEs etc. and reported successfully to the Contracting Authorities. She has been actively involved in the Assistance Mechanism for the Atlantic Action Plan, holding the position of team leader since 2016. Elina holds an MA in European Politics from Vrije Universiteit Brussels. She speaks English and Greek fluently and has a basic understanding of French.
Frédérick Herpers
Frédérick Herpers is an engineer in hydrography and oceanography (ENSTA Bretagne). He has 13 years of experience in geophysics sciences (hydrography, oceanography, geography) for civilian and military purposes (for the Defence ministry. He has more than 10 years of experience in design and implementation of integrated maritime and coastal policies (EU, Sea basin, national, regional and local level) as Integrated Maritime Policy advisor for French Prime Minister at Secretariat general de la Mer (2008-2011). He contributed to the elaboration and adoption of the French maritime policy in 2009, the law transposition of MSFD as the environmental pillar of the national strategy for the sea and the shoreline. As a consultant since 2014 at Stratégies Mer et Littoral (SML), he has been involved in several projects related to Blue Economy mainly in the Atlantic, the Mediterranean and the Black Sea mobilizing his skills and experience in legal and technical matters to develop and implement endorsed maritime strategies and to engage stakeholders in a sustainable blue economy. He has been the national hub for France since 2018 for WestMed Initiative and 2020 for the Atlantic Action Plan 2.0. Therefore, he has a strong liaison with the national coordinator (Secrétariat géneral de la Mer). He is used to work with French maritime competitiveness clusters (Pôle Mer Méditerranée and Atlantique Bretagne) which assists him in its functions as NH for the respective seabasin in a synergetic approach. He provides with assistance in the design and implementation of integrated maritime and coastal policies and coastal territorial projects, in project management assistance (prospective and strategic studies, drafting of specifications, monitoring of studies, blue economy assessment, maritime spatial planning and integrated coastal zones management) for public authorities, NGOs or private sectors.
Elizabeth Gavin
Elizabeth has over 23 years experience working on EU related programmes as an EU official in both Brussels and The Hague for the European Commission, Eurojust and Clean Aviation (formerly Clean Sky JU). Elizabeth has also considerable experience in international stakeholder management (including Airbus, Rolls Royce, Liebherr, Dassault, Leonardo and Saab (Aviation Research Divisions) She has worked within the European Commission, reported regularly into the European Parliament, and liaised with the European Court of Auditors throughout her career in the EU. Over the past 7 years based in Ireland, Elizabeth has been supporting companies and third level organisations on EU funding opportunities, including working on maritime and blue economy initiatives in Ireland. She has also contributed to policy development initiatives relating to the role of Ports for offshore wind development and the green transition of ports. Elizabeth has a wealth and unique combination of expert knowledge in the research and innovation business community as well as from within the EU institutions. She strikes a unique balance in approach and understanding which she brings to the Atlantic Assistance Mechanism in her role as National Hub for Ireland. Elizabeth speaks fluent French. She has been National Hub for Ireland since January 2020.
Lorella Ciuti
Graduate in International Relations with specialization in Japan and Korean Peninsula, with more than 6 years of experience as a Japanese and Korean professor, she has also been a university professor in Argentina of International Politics with a focus on Japan. Skilled, autonomous and very dynamic person with a high predisposition to teamwork in a multilingual context, she has been involved in organization of seminars, meetings, events, and has participated in conferences on politics, society, language, economics and oriental culture.
She is currently part of the International Relation Department in Forum Oceano - Portugal's Blue Economy Cluster, and Junior Project Officer. She has a supporting role in the Atlantic Strategy, WestMED initiative, and is managing the participation of Forum Oceano in several European Projects dedicated to promoting the cooperation in the Atlantic and Mediterranean areas to boost the sustainable Blue Economy.
Ruben Eiras
Ruben Eiras is the Secretary General of Fórum Oceano, Portugal's Blue Economy Cluster, officially recognised by the Portuguese Government. For the last two years, Ruben Eiras has been the Coordinator for the Blue Economy, Innovation, Investment and Financing at Fórum Oceano. He is a mentor for the Ocean Stream start-up acceleration programme at the Creative Destruction Lab, based in Canada, a mentor for the Sustainable Ocean Accelerator and a 'coacher' for the European Commission's Blue Invest Platform. He has worked as Director-General for Maritime Policy at the Portuguese Ministry of the Sea, promoting an innovative and sustainable blue economy, as well as advising the Portuguese Minister for the Sea on industry, innovation and energy. Before taking the sea economy route, he was Science and Technology Manager at Galp Energia and Director of the Energy Security Programme at the Luso-American Development Foundation.
He holds a PhD in Energy Security Policy in the area of History, Defence and International Relations from the Instituto Superior de Ciências do Trabalho e Empresa - Instituto Universitário de Lisboa and the Military Academy, and is also a graduate of the Executive Master's Degree in Sustainable Energy Systems from the MIT-Portugal Programme. He was a member of the Natural Gas Expert Group of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and a Technical Member of the SAS Energy Security Working Group of the NATO Science and Technology Organisation.
Marta Pascual
Marta Pascual is currently also the Spanish National Hub for the Western Mediterranean Initiative (WestMED). She is former participant of the EU MSP Platform and has also been working as a Senior Associate Expert for the EU Commission and ECORYS in works related to MSP for Blue Growth and Blue Economy. Academically, she holds a PhD in Maritime Spatial Planning, is a former Ikerbasque Post-Doctoral Researcher and currently a Guest Researcher at the Basque Centre for Climate Change (BC3, Spain), where she is advancing with the Eco-modelling Research Team on the development of marine ecosystem services models using their developed semantic-modelling platform that uses artificial intelligence – ARIES. She has more than 11 years of professional experience in the application and implementation of various European environmental and maritime directives such as the MSFD; MSPD; Habitats and Birds Directive, WFD. Her experience in research include various lines of spatial analysis, stakeholder engagement, scenario mapping, participatory mapping and marine and coastal research applied to maritime policies such as MSP, Ecosystem Services Mapping/Modelling, Integrated Coastal Zone Management, Biological Valuation and Ecosystem Services Valuation (ESV).
Pillar l: Ports as gateways and hubs for the blue economy | Pillar ll: Blue Skills and Ocean Literacy | Pillar lll: Marine Renewable Energy | Pillar IV: Coastal resilience & Healthy Ocean |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Carlos Botana President of the Port Authority of Vigo | Céline Liret Scientific Director - Partnerships and International Relations at Océanopolis | Emer Dennehy Programme Manager for Offshore Renewable Energy with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland | Eduardo Silva Coordinator of the TEC4SEA platform at INESC TEC |
Pillar 1: Ports as gateways and hubs for the blue economy |
Pillar 2: Blue Skills and Ocean Literacy |
Pillar 3: Marine Renewable Energy |
Pillar 4: Coastal resilience & Healthy Ocean |
|
For any queries, please send us an email at: helpdesk@atlanticstrategy.eu.
EN: Please note that the current Assistance Mechanism’s National Hubs are not operational as of 13 July 2020 and we will inform you as soon as new National Hubs are appointed. You may contact the Assistance Mechanism Central team at helpdesk@atlanticstrategy.eu or at the individual National Hub emails which will remain functional till 12 August 2020. (nationalhubfrance@atlanticstrategy.eu; nationalhubireland@atlanticstraregy.eu; nationalhubportugal@atlanticstrategy.eu; nationalhubspain@atlanticstrategy.eu)
FR: Veuillez noter que le hub nationaux du mécanisme d'assistance ne sont pas opérationnels au 13 juillet 2020 et nous vous informerons dès que de nouveaux hub nationaux seront nommés. Vous pouvez contacter l'équipe centrale du mécanisme d'assistance à helpdesk@atlanticstrategy.eu ou aux e-mails individuels du hub nationaux qui resteront fonctionnels jusqu'au 12 août 2020. (nationalhubfrance@atlanticstrategy.eu; nationalhubireland@atlanticstraregy.eu; nationalhubportugal@atlanticstrategy.eu; nationalhubspain@atlanticstrategy.eu)
PT: Observe que os Hubs Nacionais do Mecanismo de Assistência atual não estão operacionais a partir de 13 de julho de 2020 e informaremos assim que novos Hubs Nacionais forem nomeados. Você pode entrar em contato com a equipe da Central de Mecanismos de Assistência em helpdesk@atlanticstrategy.eu ou nos e-mails individuais do National Hub, que permanecerão funcionais até 12 de agosto de 2020. (nationalhubfrance@atlanticstrategy.eu; nationalhubireland@atlanticstraregy.eu; nationalhubportugal@atlanticstrategy.eu; nationalhubspain@atlanticstrategy.eu)
ES: Tenga en cuenta que los Unidads Nacionales del Mecanismo de Asistencia actual no están operativos desde el 13 de julio de 2020 y le informaremos tan pronto como se designen nuevos Unidads Nacionales. Puede ponerse en contacto con el equipo de Central del Mecanismo de Asistencia en helpdesk@atlanticstrategy.eu o en los correos electrónicos individuales de Unidads Nacionales que permanecerán operativos hasta el 12 de agosto de 2020. (nationalhubfrance@atlanticstrategy.eu; nationalhubireland@atlanticstraregy.eu; nationalhubportugal@atlanticstrategy.eu; nationalhubspain@atlanticstrategy.eu)
The Commission is in the process of updating some of the content on this website in light of the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union. If the site contains content that does not yet reflect the withdrawal of the United Kingdom, it is unintentional and will be addressed.
Last Update: February 1, 2020
The 4th Atlantic Project Awards are here!
The time to start thinking and preparing for the Atlantic Project Awards has finally come.
The Call of Applications to select the 2020 Atlantic Project Awards, the prestigious awards aimed to honour outstanding success stories, achieved by projects in the geographical area covered by the Atlantic Strategy and that are related to the implementation of the Atlantic Action Plan is now OPEN.
Check out the guidelines for applicants, see what is required and get ready to submit the online application form before 18 June 2020!! New Deadline 3 July 2020
The Atlantic Project Awards will showcase and promote the individual winners while at the same time highlight the incorporation and scaling up of best practices at regional and national levels while promoting the key priorities of Atlantic Strategy.
As always, awards will be granted to 5 outstanding projects (1 winner in each of the 5 categories below) that come under the umbrella of the Atlantic Strategy and the Action Plan Priorities, as recognition of outstanding performance in relevant areas/sectors. This year, projects can apply for the following categories/pillars of the new revamped Action Plan:
All applications will be processed and evaluated by the Evaluation Committee comprising of members from the European Commission and the Atlantic Strategy Group. All applicants, will be informed via email as regards to their applications and Award winners will be invited to attend and receive their trophies at the Awards Ceremony which will be held as part of the Atlantic Stakeholder Platform Conference to be held in France during Fall 2020.
We look forward to receiving your projects! In case of questions, please contact us at helpdesk@atlanticstrategy.eu
The Atlantic Strategy and the 2013 – 2020 Action Plan
In 2011 the European Commission adopted an Atlantic Maritime Strategy in response to repeated calls from stakeholders for a more ambitious, open and effective cooperation in the Atlantic Ocean Area. The strategy, consistent with the EU 2020 agenda and its flagship initiatives, grouped the identified challenges and opportunities facing the Atlantic region under five main thematic headings.
The EU’s 2013-2020 Atlantic Action Plan set out practical steps to be taken in the 4 Member States with Atlantic coasts (Ireland, France, Portugal, Spain) and their outermost regions in order to boost the Atlantic Ocean Area’s sustainable blue economy by 2020. Its priorities were:
Mid-Term Review - A Revised Atlantic Action Plan 2.0
The 2013 – 2020 Atlantic Action Plan underwent a mid-term review in 2017 in order to assess its performance and draw lessons from its implementation to pave the way for the future. The Mid-term Review of the AAP, based on an independent study and a stakeholder consultation, found that by 2017 the plan had spurred over 1200 new maritime projects and nearly 6 billion euro of investments, an achievement that is visible in the EASME maritime datahub. Based on the findings of the mid-term review, notably the potential of the action plan to create even more impact for the coastal economy, the European Commission took concrete steps in order to safely steer the Atlantic Maritime Strategy into a promising future. A first series of workshops, revolving around themes identified as highly relevant for the Atlantic blue economy were held between September and November 2018 in the Atlantic Member States.
The revised Atlantic Action Plan 2.0 was communicated by the European Commission on 23 July 2020. Its main objective is to unlock the potential of blue economy in the Atlantic area while preserving marine ecosystems and contributing to climate change adaptation and mitigation. Its aims are in line with the global commitments for sustainable development and are fully integrated in the European Commission’s political priorities for 2019 - 2024, notably a European Green Deal, an Economy that works for people and a stronger Europe in the world.
The Atlantic Action Plan 2.0 includes four pillars which represent a practical way to make the common vision a reality. All pillars are integrally interconnected and transregional by nature and address key challenges and aim to foster sustainable blue growth and contribute to greater territorial cooperation and cohesion in the EU Atlantic area. The pillars focus on issues that one coastal region and one single State cannot solve alone or it is more efficient to act together and deliver on challenges that matter in the daily lives of people living in the coastal areas.
The research activities implemented as part of the Galway (2013) and Belém (2017) Statements and the All-Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance cut across all pillars. They give an international dimension to the action plan and support its implementation by improving understanding of the changing Atlantic Ocean and its effects on coastal communities and by developing innovative solutions.
The governance of the Atlantic Maritime Strategy rests with the Atlantic Strategy Committee (ASC), which is responsible for the strategic decision-making related to the review, operational coordination and implementation of the Atlantic action plan.
To support the ASC in its tasks, the Commission continues with the implementation of the Atlantic Assistance Mechanism. The assistance mechanism provides a series of services aimed at keeping stakeholders informed of the latest news on the action plan and new funding opportunities generated under the scope of the maritime strategy. It also encourages stakeholder’s participation through the organization of specialized events, mapping of funded projects that contribute to the strategy and its action plan (datahub), as well as promote development of new projects and ideas.
Join us in building a thriving Atlantic Ocean Area
The Maritime Forum aims to improve communication amongst EU maritime policy stakeholders. It allows parties interested in the EU maritime policy to communicate on a common platform. They can publish events, documents and follow developments in their areas of interest. Information can be shared amongst a closed community or published openly. Anybody can register to the forum and comment on its content.
The EU Sea Basin Strategies for the Atlantic, Western Mediterranean and Black Sea have joined forces
In May 2021, the European Commission introduced a new strategy for a sustainable blue economy in the EU, outlining a comprehensive plan for the blue economy to significantly contribute to the European Green Deal goals. The Atlantic Assistance Mechanism is now part of a larger consortium aimed at identifying and leveraging synergies among the three sea basins. This will be achieved by sharing best practices and organizing national and regional events focused on themes of cross-sea basin importance, such as blue skills, blue investments, green shipping, and sustainable aquaculture. This approach will address the specific needs of each sea basin while promoting collaboration and enhancing outreach and visibility.
More information on the European Commission actions related to the Atlantic strategy can be found at the DG MARE website as well as in the Useful Links.
The ASC comprises representatives from the four (4) EU Member States (France, Ireland, Portugal and Spain) bordering the Atlantic Ocean as well as representatives from the European Commission, the Committee of the Regions, the Economic and Social Committee as well as representatives from coastal regions, cities and other relevant economy and social stakeholders.
The ASC is chaired on a rotating basis by the participating countries.
The ASC is the governing body of the Atlantic Strategy aiming to ensure the political and operational coordination of the Atlantic Action Plan and provide the framework for its implementation. To that effect, each year the ASC Chair undertakes to organise the main Atlantic event – the Atlantic Stakeholder Platform Conference – on one of its coastal regions seeking to bring together all stakeholders to discuss the AAP implementation and bring forward new ideas, new innovations to promote blue economy in the Atlantic.
Stay tuned!
The Assistance Mechanism for the Atlantic Action Plan, an initiative funded by the European Commission, maintains this website to enhance public access to information about the Atlantic Strategy and European and/or national initiatives related to the Atlantic Area. The Assistance Mechanism aims to keep this information timely and accurate. If errors are brought to our attention, we will correct them as quick as possible.
The Assistance Mechanism accepts, however, no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to the information on "Project Database" and "Stakeholder Database" sections. This part of the website provides information that has been given independently by external sources.
Hypertext links from this website may lead to third party sites. The Assistance Mechanism has no control over the information on these sites and therefore assumes no responsibility. You are encouraged to review their privacy policies.
Update: The Commission is in the process of updating some of the content on this website in light of the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union. If the site contains content that does not yet reflect the withdrawal of the United Kingdom, it is unintentional and will be addressed.
Last Update: February 1, 2020
Blue Economy infographic | Mapping the blue economy in the Atlantic |
SMEs and the Atlantic Action Plan |
Atlantic Action Plan 2.0. Roadmaps |
Information on this event is available in Spanish.
At the origin, Atlantic Watersports Games were born out of a desire of several European Celtic cities and regions from the Atlantic Arc to promote marine activities through an international competition for young people. Since 1995, between 300 and 400 young athletes compete each year in sailing, rowing, kayaking, surfing, surf lifesaving, open waters swimming and fin swimming, to place their region or their city on the highest step of the podium.
The Atlantic Games are part of the events which, each year, highlight the maritime and nautical assets of the regions of the European Atlantic Area. The common points between these countries and regions are numerous:
Our countries and regions have, without a doubt, a common destiny, linked to their maritimity. The Games actively showcase traditional and new water sports as well as the main sites where they are practised in the Atlantic area. At the first European marine leisure conference that took place at the end of October 2011 in Brest, France, the Atlantic Games were highlighted as a key event in the development of water sports and Atlantic maritime culture.
Supported by the Atlantic Arc Commission, the Atlantic Cities Conference and the European Commission this event is also strengthen the network of people involved in water sports on annual meeting basis thanks to the Erasmus + Sport - D.A.W.N Project.
In 2018, the Atlantic Games won the Atlantic Award for “Accessibility and connectivity” handed by the Atlantic Strategy Group which is composed of representatives of the five Atlantic Member States and the European Institutions (DG Mare).
The Atlantic Area is one of the world’s main marine basins used for water sports. Athletes from this area have regularly climbed the Olympic podium. The Games bring together young people of the highest regional, national and sometimes international level in water sport disciplines recognised by international sports Federations. Based on its international nature, it is an incredibly rich sporting experience for young people that are aiming for futures on the world and Olympic level. More open than the selection for the World or European Championships, the Games allow sports federations to send and watch young hopefuls’ athletes in a foreign challenge.
The Atlantic Games aim to:
Beyond the competition, for 10000 young people the Games embody the daily development of European citizenship. They have also contributed to strengthen Maritime values: Solidarity / Commitment /Sharing and Olympic Values: Excellence / Respect / Friendship.
For the 2018 edition, the Atlantic Games were back on the Pays de la Loire, and after the Vendée in 2014, it was in the Loire Atlantique and more precisely in Saint-Nazaire and Pornichet that the European Youth had set up Rendez-Vous. In June 2017, the Atlantic Water Sports Committee entrusted the organisation to the Comité Régional Olympique et Sportif des Pays de la Loire, representing the Pays de la Loire sports movement. All water sports federations and their affiliated structures (leagues, committees and local clubs) have mobilized in the implementation of the competitions in order to meet the challenge of making these Games an example of interregional cooperation in favour of an ambitious Atlantic water sports network. They have also made it possible to promote Loire know-how in the promotion and development of Nautical Activities.
From 26 to 31 August 2018, at 2 competition venues: Saint Nazaire (Grande Plage, Plage de la Courance and Etang de Bois-Joalland) and Pornichet (Port) are about 300 young athletes from 12 to 21 years old, from 15 Atlantic cities and regions (New Aquitaine, Aviles, Brittany, Cantabria, Galicia, Ireland, Viana Do Castelo, Basque Country, Pays de Loire) who have gathered to make the Atlantic Games 2018 a beautiful celebration of youth, the sea and Europe. These young athletes, girls and boys who were able to glimpse or consolidate a career as top athletes, some of whom were involved in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, were involved in 6 nautical and aquatic activities: rowing, canoeing, swimming with fins, swimming in open water, sports lifesaving and sailing. Competitions but also an opening ceremony, entertainment and a conference on the place des Sports Nautiques in the European Atlantic Area as part of the Erasmus+ Sport D. A. W. N. project, a most festive programme concocted with the collaboration of the City of Saint-Nazaire.
SpilLess aims to develop and implement new and viable solutions to tackle one of the most damaging sources of maritime pollution: oil spills. These solutions will be marketable services and products based on the production of native microbial consortia with bioremediation capacity and on the adaptation of unmanned autonomous vehicles for in-situ contamination combat. By combining biotechnology with robotics, SpilLess pretends to create a novel approach that can be used as a first-line response to pollution incidents in a fast, efficient and low-cost way.
Marine oil spills are catastrophic events that lead to high losses of marine life and ecosystems. Oil spill incidents occur regularly during the exploration, production, refining, transport and storage of petroleum and petroleum products. In recent years, several oil spill disasters have occurred, with Deepwater Horizon (2010) being considered one of the larger accidental marine oil spill in the history of the petroleum industry, leading to the spill of over 500.000 tons of crude oil, at the Gulf of México. In the last 50 years, several major spills occurred in the NW Iberian Peninsula, one of the main routes of oil cargo in Europe, as a result of tanker accidents. In 1975, the oil tanker Jakob Maersk, which was loaded with 80.000 tons of heavy crude oil and 4.000 tons of heavy fuel, hit a sandbank while entering the sea harbour of Leixões (Porto, North of Portugal) and ended up exploding and breaking apart. As a result, around 50.000 tons of oil were consumed by fire, 25.000 tons were drifted at sea and 15.000 tons came to shore. More recently, in 2002, the oil tanker Prestige sank at 250 km from the coast of Galicia (North of Spain) spilling more than 60.000 tons of crude oil, polluting thousands of kilometres of coastline and causing great harm to the local fishing industry. This was considered one of the larger environmental disasters in the history of Iberian Peninsula. Jakob Maersk and Prestige cases occupy the 13th and 20th position, respectively, at the ranking of the worldwide major oil spills (ITOF 2015).
The occurrence of such incidents requires immediate, simple, effective and eco-friendly actions to minimize environmental damages. First-line responses typically include physical (e.g., controlled burning; absorbing) and chemical (e.g., dispersing) removal of oil, which is largely constrained by maritime conditions. Though these treatments are important to rapidly control the diffusion and drift of the oil, they are not suitable for ecological restoration. Recently, bioremediation using microorganisms to degrade the remaining spilled oil has been proposed as a cost-effective alternative to the use of chemical additives. The use of microorganisms with a natural capacity to degrade petroleum is highly advantageous in that it is an environmentally friendly process and allows complete decomposition of complex petroleum hydrocarbons. The efficient biodegradation of oil spills requires a jointed action of a consortium of microorganisms, i.e., a group of diverse microbial species with a complementary range of metabolic capabilities, rather than the action of individual microbial species.
The overall aim of the SpilLess project is the implementation of an innovative “laboratory” (Blue Lab) to pilot new and viable solutions to tackle with maritime pollution (in particular, oil spills). These solutions will be based on the production of native microbial consortiawith bioremediation capacity, and the adaptation of unmanned and autonomous vehicles for in-situ release of autochthonous microorganisms (bioaugmentation) and nutrients (biostimulation). By doing so, these systems can be used as first line responders to pollution incidents in a fast, efficient and low cost way. Such innovative solutions aim to:
SpilLess scientific strategy includes a comprehensive set of tasks addressed to attain the following specific objectives:
The direct outputs of SpilLess are three innovative productsand one innovative serviceto bioremediate oil spills. One product will be a library of native microbial consortia of north-western coast of the Iberian Peninsula with high ability to biodegrade petroleum. The second product will be a lyophilized formula of a native microbial consortiumup-scaled under optimised conditions for bioremediation of oil spills, associated with a nutrient kit to boost microbial optimal performance. This product will be at a pilot scale at the end of the project and intends to be market ready two years after the project. The third product will be the containers and release systems (microbial launchers) for application of bioremediation treatments by aerial, surface and underwater vehicles. This will imply mechanisms to release bacteria and nutrients from three distinct ways: (i) from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for rotary wing with high positioning accuracy, to combat the leakage from the surface "inner" areas; (ii) from an autonomous surface vehicle (ASV) to release microbial consortia on the stroke border areas; (iii) from an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) / remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to release microbial consortia in the water column and the seabed.
Another result of SpilLess will be the service that allows integrated oil spills bioremediation, using native microbial consortium and autonomous systems with the microbial launchers. This service will be flexible, in order to be applied in accidental oil spills under different scenarios, not only large-scale oil spills accidents but also small oil leakages in confined spaces, such as marinas and harbours, but also to clean the leaks from oil transfer harbour operations.
This project will also contribute to mitigate negative impacts of pollution on the marine environment and social-economic activities by using renewable biological resources and reducing the high costs of traditional clean-up actions. Also, SpilLess will promote job opportunities in different sectors of the marine biotechnology, and will foster entrepreneurship spirit in the young scientists. Increased awareness about Blue Bioremediation and how SpilLess intends to help mitigate and engagement of the scientific community (e.g. scientific publication) and general public for the problematic of oil spills will be also relevant outputs of the Blue Lab.
SpilLess will be implemented in the Atlantic Ocean region, with focus on the sub-regions of Euroregion Galicia - Norte Portugal, an area with ports and intense oil transport activities, subject to marine pollution incidents. The transferability of the project activities and results to other regions facing similar challenges will be ensured by a business partner, who will be responsible for the exploitation plan, having offices in three sea basins: Baltic Sea (Norway), North Sea (Germany) and Atlantic Ocean (Portugal).
SpilLess is aligned with the Atlantic Strategy, which aims to ensure environmental sustainability and the quality of living conditions in coastal regions, while promoting the growth potential of maritime industries, and responds to the following priorities of the Atlantic Plan Action:
The Galway Statement on Atlantic Ocean Cooperation was signed in Galway, Ireland, on 24th of May 2013 by the European Union, Canada and the United States of America. This marked the birth of Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance (AORA). The Horizon 2020 Coordination and Support Action (AORA-CSA) was funded by the European Union to support the implementation of the Galway Statement and AORA. The hallmark features of this coordination action is that it be flexible, responsive, value-adding, efficient, innovative, inclusive and supportive. The catalyzing actions of the AORA-CSA have had and continue to have significant impact to enable and strengthen the Atlantic Ocean Cooperation.
Supporting the implementation of the Galway Statement on an Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance; Improving the international cooperation framework of marine research programmes thus creating the basis for the development of future large-scale joint international marine research programmes.
The objectives of the AORA-CSA are to support the implementation of the Galway Statement on Atlantic Ocean Cooperation by coordinating with and supporting the Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance (AORA) between the EU, Canada and the USA. In that regard, to be responsive to the needs of the AORA as it evolves and to adapt the suite of supports provided by the AORA-CSA accordingly. To improve the international cooperation framework of marine research programmes thus helping create the basis for the development of future large-scale joint international marine research programmes; and contributing to the EU Blue Growth Agenda where relevant.
Results achieved to date:
Transferability of project results to other organisations/subregions, regions, member states:
Europe, Canada and the United States of America.
ARCOPOL platform aimed to further improve maritime safety in the Atlantic area and reinforce the protection of the coastal regions from maritime pollution through the capitalization and upgrading of ARCOPOL and ARCOPOLplus outcomes. Specifically, ARCOPOLplatform organised pilot actions addressing local authorities to support the implementation of Local Contingency Plans. Moreover, these plans were improved by the inclusion of ARCOPOL deliverables (tools, guides and key knowledge on Hazardous and Noxious Substances - HNS) that were presented at workshops, training activities (blended learning), road-shows and on websites. The singularities of Natural Protected Areas and post-spill environmental monitoring issues were also considered. Similarly, ARCOPOL spill modelling tools were upgraded, shared among regions and transferred to competent authorities through tailored training. Furthermore, all activities contributed to the development of the Atlantic Technological Platform. This platform is acting as a meeting forum for public and private organizations dealing with oil and HNS spills. It focuses on the exchange of knowledge, the identification of technological supply and demand, and the development of public-private initiatives. The project was developed by a consortium involving 15 partners from 5 countries of the Atlantic Area (Ireland, UK, France, Spain and Portugal), including research organisations as well as regional competent authorities
Back in 2004, the core group of ARCOPOL partners started working together in the frame of EROCIPS project (Emergency Response to coastal Oil, Chemical and Inert Pollution from Shipping. INTERREG IIIB, 2004-2007). EROCIPS’ achievements ranged from the development of forecasting models, risk assessment and guidance on managing volunteers, to the production of training materials and the establishment of ecological monitoring programmes.
Having EROCIPS as the grounds, the series of ARCOPOL projects started in 2009. The success of the first ARCOPOL (2009-2012) facilitated the continuity of this strategy longer in time, being made a reality in the projects ARCOPOLplus (2012-2014) and ARCOPOLplatform (2014-2015).
All ARCOPOL projects shared the same final aim, which was reinforcing the preparedness and response to oil and chemical spills in the Atlantic regions. However, from project to project, both the aspects addressed and the strategy used were adapted to the actual needs identified by the partnership.
Very briefly, ARCOPOL focused on the elaboration of guides and tools to support response operations. Afterwards, In ARCOPOLplus partners kept on updating and upgrading ARCOPOL results, but also made a special effort on innovation, training and technology transfer. However in ARCOPOLplatform, the strategy consisted of stablishing a Platform both for the capitalisation of all ARCOPOL projects results and for public and private collaboration in the scope of the response to maritime pollution.
The project positively influenced local and regional response systems through, among others, the following main results: the implementation of contingency plans in 6 local authorities and 7 protected areas; the production of 3 Decision Support Tools; the organisation of training sessions (3 workshops, 4 e-learning courses) and 4 exercises; and the setting up of the ARCOPOL Platform.
All the results are available online. When appropriate, information on how to adapt them to other regions is also provided (e.g. the open source tools). Collaboration with stakeholders is promoted through the ARCOPOL Platform. The dissemination of project results outside the partnership was further favoured through meetings with national authorities and the Members of the European Parliament.
The project was implemented in the Atlantic Area, thus in the Atlantic regions of Ireland, UK, France, Spain and Portugal, countries in which organisations participating in the project were located.
Cloud platform and mobile app, designed specifically for the sea sector, which allows the fishing guilds and associations to improve on the planning, control and access to information of their shellfish workers and producers.
The shellfish workers of some of the most important fishing guilds in spanish northwest region of Galicia already enjoy the advantages of Xesmar. Their app allows them to have all the information related to eheir work at their hands, saving both time, calls and commuting.
Atlantic regions have a huge potential in renewable energy which can be useful for the EU to meet the goals of its energy strategy, while contributing to the prosperity of their industries and populations, and meeting the objectives of economic, social and territorial cohesion.
The Atlantic Power Cluster project builds on the Marine Energy Working Group set up in the CPMR (Atlantic Arc Commission) and is intended to implement a transnational marine energy strategy so the partner regions can seek complementarities to tackle the crucial challenges for the development of marine energies in the Atlantic Area (AA).
Furthermore the project seeks to develop cooperation and joint approaches to facilitate the identification of new market niches in the renewable energy sector and the redefinition of educational and training programs as per the needs of the offshore and marine energy sector in the AA. The project is likewise is expected to contribute to a “greener” model of energy development, while enhancing the competitiveness and innovation capacities in the Atlantic regions.
SODERCAN, a non-profit public organization, as the Regional Development Agency of Cantabria, is the major stakeholder in the region of Cantabria dealing with the promotion of competitiveness and general development of the economy, with companies (especially SMEs) as the main target group of the activities involved. Cantabrian companies and Research groups are developing regional, national and international innovative projects in key sectors such as biotechnology, renewable energies, Information and Telecommunication technologies, Automotive or Aerospace.
In that sense, all our policies are aimed at the promotion of Research and Development amongst companies, increasing competitiveness through internationalization, the fostering of cooperation and encouragement of entrepreneurship pass through the executive role of SODERCAN.
SODERCAN has a deep knowledge of Cantabria’s industrial fabric, after more than 25 years of intense and direct link with regional companies. It has also a great experience in managing R&D and innovation strategies for SMEs, entrepreneurs and setting up business cooperation structures.
SODERCAN has been an evident example of the concept of the triple helix promoted by EU policies in order to implement regional strategies: it has represented the Regional Government in long term strategies for business promotion, together with relevant business stakeholders, the general business community and the Research activity of the University of Cantabria, contributing to the conception of Innovation activities applied to real life developments carried out by regional companies.
In this context, the organization has an active role in the Research and Innovation for Smart Specialisation Strategy of Cantabria 2020 (iCan 2020). Under the umbrella of the smart specialization strategy, the regional government publishes the iCan 2020 strategy (RIS3).
Main objectives of the Atlantic Power Cluster project are:
Regional project managers and teams have liaised with the stakeholders and organizations involved in the different activities foreseen. All partners are disseminating in their areas of influence and regions info regarding the actions developed. Very high number (17) of partners from different backgrounds.
The project work plan is structured in such a way that each and every aspect of the marine energies is addressed, providing a clear and realistic picture of the current situation in the partner regions, the strategies ahead and the activities and actions to be undertaken.
INTERREG Atlantic Area
BATTERIE was an EU Atlantic Area project established in January 2012. Its purpose was to improve the cooperation and links between various transport services within the Atlantic Area region and to promote the application of smart technologies and usage of alternative fuels. The project was created as a response to the EU Atlantic Area priorities. As part of priority 3.1; “Improve accessibility and internal links – Promote interoperability and continuity of existing transport networks, and sea/road/rail/air intermodality;” it focused on transportation and aimed to improve the coordination of and interconnectivity between transport services supplied by various operators. It also recognised and gave due regard to national and EU transport, energy and related economic policies, with particular reference to the objectives set out in the Lisbon and Gothenburg Agendas. The main objective of BATTERIE was to establish the impact of applied smart technologies (e.g. E-Journey Planning) and alternative fuels and to design scenarios and models of changes to policy, behaviour and transnational strategies in order to help optimise transnational trips for passengers. Other activities included screening and modelling the availability, future development, costs and environmental impact of using smart technologies and alternative fuels and establishing pilot networks and demonstration of best practice in this sector.
The project main objective was to help policy makers to help the public to make the shift from fossil fuel based transport to zero carbon based transport. In addition to that we wanted to remove the issue of range anxiety which the public site as the main reason for not buying electric or zero carbon transport. Finally we wanted to inform and educate the public about zero carbon transport.
There were seven Atlantic Area regions involved in the project: Scotland (Shetlands), England, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, France, Portugal and Spain. There were eleven partners in the project and the partnership met regularly every three months for three years to develop the reports, the briefing notes, the conferences, workshops and to develop the egomap.. Further information on https://www.batterie.eu.com/
INTERREG Atlantic Area
The project has contributed to develop the marine bio-resources sector at the Atlantic level. Gathering economic and innovation development agencies, local authorities and scientific organisations, it has capitalized on projects previously developed under this theme. Based on these projects, partners have identified the main obstacles, but also the drivers to the development of the Blue Biotech sector. The project has also prepared the future of the marine biotech sector, it gained in visibility among economic players and the general public through notably the creation of the video, but also the organization of public event (ex. 100 EU participants during the final conference in Cadiz).Finally, through the identification of transnational structuring projects, the project has represented an essential link to the 2014-2020 programming period. It also contributed to the operational implementation of the Action Plan recently adopted in the framework of the EU Maritime Strategy for the Atlantic region.
In a context of global crisis of the economy, the blue economy represents an essential stake for the future development of our maritime territories. The ocean is a source of innovation, growth and jobs. Marine bio-resources constitute a sector with high growth potential but still largely unexploited by businesses. These latter have to face many constraints and barriers (legal, environmental, economic and social).
The main objective of the Atlantic Blue Tech project was to enhance the blue biotechnologies niche of excellence, factor of growth for the Atlantic area, with a specific focus on innovation and small to medium-sized companies. The project has also contributed to the implementation of the Atlantic Action Plan Priority 1 “Promote entrepreneurship and innovation”.
Atlantic Blue Tech partners not only worked on obstacles as it is often the case in EU projects, but went further with the identification of drivers to the development of blue biotech SMEs. Thanks to the creation of LAG and TAG, the partners successfully managed to make people work together at both regional and European levels, which is a guarantee of lasting effects of the project. The deliverables of the project are still available on the www.atlanticbluetech.eu website for policy makers, SMEs or any interested actor intending to develop the marine biotech sector. As the lead partner, Technopôle Brest-Iroise (TBI) also continues to speak about the project in different meetings it is involved in, to provide its experience to other regions and member States. The best practice demonstrated within ABT are the local & transnational action groups. The project partners really wanted to involve their local communities. They thus set up 5 LAG which assessed the project results, and gave their views on the orientation of ABT. 2 TAG meetings were organized to favor collaborations at the Atlantic level and to support the emergence of new project ideas.
The project has been implemented in the framework of the Interreg IVB Atlantic area programme gathering 8 partners from 5 countries. It was divided into 3 steps: Study of the existing local, national and EU projects related to marine bioresources; Identification of drivers and barriers to the development of blue biotech SME; Imagine the future of the marine biotech market, and promote the sector.
ERDF
The Assistance Mechanism for the Atlantic Action Plan is operating through four National Hubs which are based in France, Ireland, Portugal and Spain.
National Hubs are coordinated by a central management team, which also runs this website dedicated to foster cooperation with the stakeholders.
If you wish to contact our team please send us an email at: helpdesk@atlantic-maritime-strategy.ec.europa.eu
See who is who in the Assistance Mechanism!!
António Rodrigues
António Rodrigues is the Engagement Leader of the Assistance Mechanism for the Atlantic Action Plan. António is PwC Portugal's Strategy & Corporate Finance Advisor Partner, the Lead Partner in Restructuring Advisory and a member of the PwC Blue Economy Centre of Excellence. In his carreer, António has developed and implemented several projects related to maritime industries for Ports authorities (business plan and economic and financial feasibility study), offshore energy companies (financial advisory and feasibility studies), cargo container operators. More specifically, he has advised in the preparation of the business plan and economic and financial feasibility study of the cruise activity in the Port of Leixões for the launch of a future concession. António studied Economics at the Economics Faculty of the University of Porto, participated in Client´s Strategic Agenda Program from INSEAD - Fontainebleau, the Advanced Restructuring Executive Program in INSEAD - Singapore, Business Management Executive Program in Nova-Católica and Leadership and Strategy Executive Program from Kellogg School of Management. He speaks Portuguese and English fluently.
Catherine Frideres
Catherine Frideres is the Communications Expert of the Assistance Mechanism. Catherine is a Senior Manager at PwC Luxembourg Advisory and PwC's Accelerator. She is an entrepreneur and communications specialist with 20 years combined experience in cross-cultural communications, business acceleration coaching and in managing international projects for the public and private sectors. Over the years, she has successfully extended public awareness of EU programmes to over 3 million European SMEs, led acceleration coaching for over 2,500 SMEs across 9 industry sectors, and managed public sector projects for trade and sustainable economic development. She has significant expertise in designing narratives and building active communities through digital and social media platforms. Catherine holds an MA International Studies & Diplomacy with a major in International Law from the University of London and speaks English fluently.
Elina Zempili
Elina Zempili is the Monitoring Expert of the Assistance Mechanism for the Atlantic Action Plan. Elina has over 20 years of experience in managing complex EU-funded technical assistance projects and in managing multi-national teams of experts. Elina is a leader in the international project area, specialised on the monitoring and evaluation of development projects, and has been responsible for the identification and supervision of international and local experts for the implementation of several EU development assistance projects.She has worked extensively in several EU projects, where she has managed large multi-dimensional teams comprised of experts in the various fields of communications, public relations, community buliding, monitoring, innovation, SMEs etc. and reported successfully to the Contracting Authorities. She has been actively involved in the Assistance Mechanism for the Atlantic Action Plan, holding the position of team leader since 2016. Elina holds an MA in European Politics from Vrije Universiteit Brussels. She speaks English and Greek fluently and has a basic understanding of French.
Leonidas Papaioannou
Leonidas Papaioannou is the National Hub Leader for the Assistance Mechanism. Leonidas is a Director at PwC Greece, and leads the Government and Public Sector industry team, being responsible for all aspects of public sector related services. Leonidas has significant experience in leading large-scale national or European/ international projects in areas such as policy making, public administration and market reforms, large scale transformation programs or implementation of action plans, structural funds programming and administration. He will be responsible for the overview of the whole span of the national hub activities and quality control of their deliverables and project outputs. Leonidas holds a Diploma in Chemical Engineering from the National Technical University of Greece and an MBA from Hull University, UK. He speaks English and Greek fluently.
André Gomes
André Gomes is the Project Manager | Central Point of Contact for the Atlantic Assistance Mechanism. André is an MBA graduate with a technological academic background and successful experiences in top multinational companies in the private sector as well as in the public sector by collaborating with European Union institutions. He is an experienced senior strategy and operations consultant with solid experience in project management, consulting, strategy, operations and innovation. André holds a BsC in Communication Systems from Kingston University (UK), a Postgraduate diploma in Management and Business Consulting from ISEG (Portugal) and an Executive MBA from ESIC Business & Marketing School (Spain). He speaks English, Portuguese and Spanish fluently.
Join us in the Atlantic Corner; the place where stakeholders come together to discuss ideas about new projects, find partners and check out selected projects that promote the Atlantic Strategy's objectives and priorities.
Join us and check out what is offered:
Since its creation in 2013 the Atlantic Action Plan has spurred over 1200 new maritime projects and nearly 6 billion euro of investments. However, as the mid-term review highlighted, cooperation in the Atlantic Ocean area can be even more ambitious, open and effective in order to promote socially inclusive, innovative and environmentally friendly blue growth.
The Atlantic stakeholders are key players in this respect. That is why bringing together potential project partners and assisting them in developing and funding projects is a crucial component of our mission and we are keen on helping all interest parties make the most of the vast potential of the Atlantic.
The Asssistance Mechanism through its continuously updated project database offers a comprehensive overview of maritime cooperation schemes and makes it easy to become involved in new project opportunities. Why work individually in the blue economy, when you can visit our pages and see published project ideas or submit your own.
The Assistance Mechanism aims to provide you with a “match-making platform” to find potential project partners and advise you on the use of EU and national or regional financial instruments for projects implementing the Action Plan.
To that effect, check out our stakeholder database with more than 10000 stakeholders that are active in the Atlantic sea basin and provide us with your information to be included.
El recientemente lanzado EASME DataHub, es una herramienta interactiva que genera información sobre proyectos y empresas financiados por los programas de la UE y los Estados Miembros en el marco de la Estrategia del Atlántico y el Plan de Acción correspondiente.
El Mecanismo de Asistencia tiene como objetivo proporcionarle una plataforma "match-making" a la hora de encontrar socios potenciales para los proyectos y aconsejarle sobre el uso de instrumentos financieros de la UE, nacionales o regionales destinados a proyectos que contribuyan a implementar el Plan de Acción.
Consulte nuestra base de datos donde podrá encontrar más de 10000 socios potenciales activos en la cuenca del mar Atlántico. Proporciónenos su información para que podamos incluirla en la base de datos.
The Assistance Mechanism aims to provide you with a "match-making platform" to find potential project partners and advise you on the use of EU and national or regional financial instruments for projects implementing the Action Plan.
To that effect, check out our stakeholder database with more than 10000 stakeholders that are active in the Atlantic sea basin and provide us with your information to be included.
Únete a nosotros en la Esquina Atlántica; el lugar donde las partes interesadas se reúnen para discutir ideas sobre nuevos proyectos, encontrar socios y revisar proyectos seleccionados que promueven los objetivos y prioridades de la Estrategia Atlántica.
Únete a nosotros y echa un vistazo a lo que se ofrece:
El Mecanismo de Asistencia tiene como objetivo proporcionarle una "plataforma de emparejamiento" a la hora de encontrar socios potenciales para los proyectos y aconsejarle sobre el uso de instrumentos financieros de la UE, nacionales o regionales destinado a proyectos que contribuyan a implementar el Plan de Acción.
Consulte nuestra base de datos donde podrá encontrar más de 10000 socios potenciales activos en la cuenca del mar Atlántico. Proporciónenos su información para que podamos incluirla en la base de datos.
O recém-criado DataHub Marítimo da EASME é uma ferramenta interativa que produz informação relativa a projetos e empresas financiadas por programas de UE e dos Estados-Membros no quadro da Estratégia para o Atlântico e o seu respetivo Plano de Ação.
A ferramenta permite, entre outros, que o utilizadoraceda a um vasto leque de informação , utilizando filtros (e.g. orçamento atribuído por país ou por setor marítimo), e ainda criar as suas próprias estatísticas e exportar os dados em diferentes formatos tais como imagem, PDF ou CSC.
O Mecanismo de Assistência visa proporcionar-lhe uma "plataforma de compatibilização de parceiros” com o objectivo de encontrar potenciais parceiros de projetos e aconselhar o utente sobre a utilização dos instrumentos financeiros nacionais ou regionais da UE para os projetos que tenham como objetivo implementar o Plano de Ação.
Para o efeito, consulte a nossa base de dados das partes interessadas que dispõe de mais de 10.000 entradas de intervenientes ativos na bacia marítima do Atlântico e partilhe connosco os dados necessários a devida inclusão.
Desde a sua criação em 2013 o Plano de Ação para o Atlântico tem conduzido mais de 1.200 novos projetos marítimos e cerca de 6 mil milhões de euros em investimentos. Contudo, conforme destacado pela avaliação intercalar, a cooperação no espaço Atlântico pode ser ainda mais ambiciosa, aberta e eficaz a fim de promover um crescimento azul socialmente inclusivo, inovador e ecológico.
Rejoignez-nous dans le coin atlantique; l'endroit où les intervenants se réunissent pour discuter de leurs idées sur de nouveaux projets, trouver des partenaires et consulter des projets sélectionnés qui font la promotion des objectifs et des priorités de la Stratégie.
Rejoignez-nous et découvrez ce qui vous est proposé:
The newly launched EASME maritime datahub is an interactive tool that generates information on projects and companies funded by EU and Member States programmes in the framework of the Atlantic Strategy and respective Action Plan.
Among others, the tool allows users to access a wealth of data with the help of filters (e.g. budget allocated per country or per maritime sector), generate own statistics and export data in different formats such as picture, PDF document or CSC file.
EU & International Institutions |
|
Sea Basins |
|
Networks |
Depuis sa création en 2013, le Plan d'Action Atlantique a incité le lancement de plus de 1200 nouveaux projets maritimes et généré près de 6 milliards d'euros d'investissements. Toutefois, comme l'a souligné la révision à mi-parcours, la coopération dans la région de l'océan Atlantique peut être encore plus ambitieuse, ouverte et efficace dans la promotion d’une croissance bleue solidaire, innovante et respectueuse de l’environnement.
Since its creation in 2013 the Atlantic Action Plan has spurred over 1200 new maritime projects and nearly 6 billion euro of investments. However, as the mid-term review highlighted, cooperation in the Atlantic Ocean area can be even more ambitious, open and effective in order to promote socially inclusive, innovative and environmentally friendly blue growth.
L’ EASME Maritime DataHub est un nouvel outil interactif qui fournit des informations sur les projets et les entreprises financés par les programmes de l'UE et des États membres dans le cadre de la Stratégie Atlantique et de son Plan d’action.
The Commission adopted an Atlantic Maritime Strategy in 2011 in response to repeated calls from stakeholders for more ambitious, open and effective cooperation in the Atlantic Ocean area. The strategy identified the challenges and opportunities facing the region, grouping them under five thematic headings: implementing the ecosystem approach; reducing Europe’s carbon footprint; sustainable exploration of the natural resources on the sea floor; responding to threats and emergencies; socially inclusive growth; Following a bottom-up consultation in the five Member States with Atlantic coasts (Ireland, the United Kingdom, France, Spain and Portugal), an action plan was developed that set out practical steps to be taken in these areas. The Atlantic Action Plan was adopted in May 2013. To support the implementation of the plan, the Commission launched the Atlantic assistance mechanism.
Desde su creación en 2013, el Plan de Acción del Atlántico ha impulsado más de 1200 nuevos proyectos marítimos y casi seis mil millones de euros en inversiones. Sin embargo, como se destacó en la Revisión Intermedia, la cooperación en el área del Océano Atlántico podría ser incluso más ambiciosa, abierta y efectiva para promover un crecimiento azul socialmente inclusivo, innovador y respetuoso con el medio ambiente.
5th Atlantic Stakeholder Platform Conference 2018 Vigo, Spain
Atlantic Project Awards |
|
Winners |
|
Photo Gallery |
The Atlantic Project Awards, established in 2016, are designed to honour outstanding success stories, achieved by projects in the geographical area covered by the Atlantic Strategy that showcase relevance to the implementation of the Atlantic Action Plan. They promote individual winners but at the same time highlight the incorporation and scaling up of best practices at regional, national, European and international level.
The 1st Atlantic Awards and the 2nd Atlantic Awards were respectively organised in September 2016 in Dublin during the ASPC2016 and in Glasgow during the ASPC2017 .
Continuing the tradition, this year’s Atlantic Project Awards will be given at a prestigious ceremony at the 5th Atlantic Stakeholder Platform Conference that will be held on October 23rd to October 24th at Mar de Vigo in Vigo, Spain.
The 2018 Atlantic Project Awards will be presented in each of the following 5 categories:
Additional information and support for the submission of projects can be provided by the Central Support Team through the dedicated helpdesk service .
Atlantic Project Awards |
|
Winners |
|
Photo Gallery |
The 3rd Atlantic Project Awards ceremony was held during the 5th Atlantic Stakeholder Platform Conference in Vigo, on October 23rd, 2018. The Atlantic Project Awards, which began in 2017 are designed to honour outstanding success stories, achieved by projects in the geographical area covered by the Atlantic Strategy and that were related to the implementation of the Atlantic Action Plan.
The winners of the 6 categories of the 3rd Atlantic Project Awards ceremony are:
Presentation of the 3rd Atlantic Project Awards: [PDF]
Event Information |
|
Presentations |
|
Photo Gallery |
More information is available here.
Moderated by Alessia Clocchiatti (DG MARE)
Moderated by Christos Economou, Head of Unit (DG MARE)
Organiser: Instituto Social de la Marina (ISM)
Moderator: José María Pérez Toribio, Subdirector General, Acción Social Marítima, Instituto Social de la Marina [PDF ]
Speakers:
Organiser: Conference of Atlantic Arc Cities
Moderator: Tamara Espiñeira Guirao, Secretary-General, Atlantic Cities, Designer of the "Atlantic Futures" programme
Speakers:
Organiser: CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research
Moderator: Nuno Vargas, Digital Strategist, Designer, Journalist
Speakers:
Organiser: CETMAR - Centro Tecnológico del Mar
Moderator: Marisa Fernández, Head, Control and Management of Marine Environment & Resources Department, Centro Tecnológico del Mar - Fundación CETMAR
Speakers:
Organiser: Authority of Port of Vigo
Moderator: Annina Cristina Bürgin Piñeiro, Managing Director, MarInnLeg (Center of Innovation in Maritime and Fisheries Legal Studies)
Speakers:
Organiser: CETMAR - Centro Tecnológico del Mar
Moderator: Lucía Fraga Lago, Head of the Training Department, CETMAR [PDF]
Speakers:
Organiser: European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet)
Moderator: Jan-Bart Calewaert, Head, EMODnet Secretariat
Speakers:
Organiser: Consellería do Mar – Xunta de Galicia
Moderator: Ignacio Gandarias, Director General, Fisheries Management, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA), Xunta de Galicia
Speakers:
Organiser: INTEGRATE project
Moderator: Pierre Eyrolles, Project Manager, project INTEGRATE, Agrocampus Ouest, Rennes [PDF]
Speakers:
Organiser: Interreg Atlantic Area Programme
Moderator: Ismael Morán-García, Deputy Director, Interreg Atlantic Area
Speakers:
Closing words
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet
Στοίχιση με το template
Title 1 |
||
![]() |
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. |
More text goes here.
Στοίχιση με τις ιδιότητες της εικόνας:
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
Στοίχιση με απλή εισαγωγή πίνακα:
![]() |
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. |
Do sed odio dui. Cras justo odio, dapibus ac facilisis in, egestas eget quam. Vestibulum id ligula porta felis euismod semper. Fusce dapibus, tellus ac cursus commodo, tortor mauris condimentum nibh, ut fermentum massa justo sit amet risus.
Do sed odio dui. Cras justo odio, dapibus ac facilisis in, egestas eget quam. Vestibulum id ligula porta felis euismod semper. Fusce dapibus, tellus ac cursus commodo, tortor mauris condimentum nibh, ut fermentum massa justo sit amet risus.
Do sed odio dui. Cras justo odio, dapibus ac facilisis in, egestas eget quam. Vestibulum id ligula porta felis euismod semper. Fusce dapibus, tellus ac cursus commodo, tortor mauris condimentum nibh, ut fermentum massa justo sit amet risus.
Do sed odio dui. Cras justo odio, dapibus ac facilisis in, egestas eget quam. Vestibulum id ligula porta felis euismod semper. Fusce dapibus, tellus ac cursus commodo, tortor mauris condimentum nibh, ut fermentum massa justo sit amet risus.
Do sed odio dui. Cras justo odio, dapibus ac facilisis in, egestas eget quam. Vestibulum id ligula porta felis euismod semper. Fusce dapibus, tellus ac cursus commodo, tortor mauris condimentum nibh, ut fermentum massa justo sit amet risus.
![]() |
o sed odio dui. Cras justo odio, dapibus ac facilisis in, egestas eget quam. Vestibulum id ligula porta felis euismod semper. Fusce dapibus, tellus ac cursus commodo, tortor mauris condimentum nibh, ut fermentum massa justo sit amet risus. Do sed odio dui. Cras justo odio, dapibus ac facilisis in, egestas eget quam. Vestibulum id ligula porta felis euismod semper. Fusce dapibus, tellus ac cursus commodo, tortor mauris condimentum nibh, ut fermentum massa justo sit amet risus. Do sed odio dui. Cras justo odio, dapibus ac facilisis in, egestas eget quam. Vestibulum id ligula porta felis euismod semper. Fusce dapibus, tellus ac cursus commodo, tortor mauris condimentum nibh, ut fermentum massa justo sit amet risus. |
Do sed odio dui. Cras justo odio, dapibus ac facilisis in, egestas eget quam. Vestibulum id ligula porta felis euismod semper. Fusce dapibus, tellus ac cursus commodo, tortor mauris condimentum nibh, ut fermentum massa justo sit amet risus.
Do sed odio dui. Cras justo odio, dapibus ac facilisis in, egestas eget quam. Vestibulum id ligula porta felis euismod semper. Fusce dapibus, tellus ac cursus commodo, tortor mauris condimentum nibh, ut fermentum massa justo sit amet risus.
![]() |
Communication from the commission djfdkfjdkfjdkfjjdfdfdfdfdfddfdfdf | PDF (xx) |
The Assistance Mechanism for the Atlantic Action Plan, an EU funded project has been operating since August 2014 to:
Join us in the Atlantic Corner; the place where stakeholders come together to discuss ideas about new projects, find partners and check out selected projects that promote the Atlantic Strategy's objectives and priorities.
Join us and check out what it is offered:
Event Information |
|
Pitchers |
Bares Project is an innovative plan to create a new paradigm for meteo-oceanographic data, to change the nowadays lack of data that holds back the potential of the whole maritime field. We have developed a latest technology inertial wave sensor that, along with an innovative business plan will make possible long-time monitoring, sustainable nets of stations, both coastal and off-shore, and high-quality data to feed the models and forecasting that will shape a new, more precise and safe way to work in the ocean. With an interdisciplinary team with decades of experience both in the IT and maritime fields, we combine our knowledges to solve the long-lasting problems that the environmental oceanographic monitoring faces from the past.
bound4blue has designed a rigid wingsail system to reduce fuel consumption and the environmental impact of maritime sector. It brings fuel savings up to 40% (and associated emissions reduction) with payback period under 5 years, offering a complete solution to the industry challenges in both existing and new vessels. Our sustainable solution has been very welcome by potential customers and, as a result, we are going to integrate our system into our first two customers ́vessels by in 2019 (contracts signed): a 20 m wingsail in a fishing vessel and a second wingsail in a merchant vessel.
HYCOGEN, the Hybrid Compact Electrical Generator, has developed a new and totally disruptive electric power generating system, based on an integration of new and proprietary technologies of hydrogen and PEM fuel cell, that includes: a) A new conception of high-efficient and low-cost fuel cell (called ULPHE-PEM Fuel Cells); and b) A new hydrogen generation process “in situ” and on demand (called METALIQ), obtained by splitting the water molecule with inorganic compounds, which do not produce contaminating residues or greenhouse gases and which has a power density at least 4 times higher than batteries of high capacity. HYCOGEN provides a high-tech solution both for the propulsion and auxiliaries of marine manned or unmanned vehicles, as well as providing connectivity shore to ship and / or as portable or distributed electric generation, especially in isolated places.
Facing the global warming and energy transition stakes, NEOLINE’s mission is to develop clean and efficient maritime transport services, fully adapted to meet its shippers needs. Founded in 2015 by a group of shipping professionals, NEOLINE will become the first industrial shipowner centered around sustainability. Our pilot-project consists in setting-up by 2020 a new transatlantic service, operated by two 136m length ro-ro cargo vessels, specialized in oversized cargoes and using sails as a main propulsion system. These innovative vessels will be able to save 80% to 90% of fuel consumption, thanks to their adapted commercial speed, more than 4000 m² of sails and an optimized hybrid auxiliary propulsion. At the horizon 2030, our ambition is to go even further by offering large-scale zero-emission services capable to answer to a maximum of transport needs. Currently within shipyard tender call process, NEOLINE is currently seeking for investors before starting the building of its two pilot vessels.
Building on the success of its SR2000 floating tidal turbine test programme, Scotrenewables Tidal Power’s SR2-2000 project involves the fabrication of an optimised commercial production unit that would be supplied to a consented, revenue supported 2MW project in Orkney, Scotland, delivering first commercial revenues to the company and providing the basis for the company’s first commercial sales. The SR2-2000 project would optimise the technology for low cost production, installation and maintenance. Key differentiators of both the project and company are as follows: a) Turbines are mounted to a highly accessible, towable floating platform; b) All generating unit systems are highly accessible for onsite maintenance; c) All installation and maintenance operations can be executed with low cost workboat or fast crew transfer vessels minimise vessel costs, maximising generator uptime; d) The floating technology supports rotor placement in the upper part of the water column where tidal currents are fastest, optimising energy extraction, particularly versus competing bottom mounted concepts; and e) The project delivery team are amongst the most experienced in the sector. The company has invested more than £32m in its R&D programme, testing its technology at more than 10 increasing scales. The technology has been demonstrated to full commercial scale, with a 2 MW full scale prototype delivering more than 3,000 MWh between August 2017 and August 2018 at the European Marine Energy Centre, Scotland. Evidencing the paradigm shifting nature of the technology and capability of the delivery team, this is more electricity than had been generated by the combined total of more than 30 previous generator test and demonstration programmes at the European Marine Energy Centre in the 12 years prior to its launch.
We have developed a prototype of a marine current turbine that is specifically designed to harness the energy from tidal and ocean currents in those regions which, having relatively-high-speed water flows (2 m/s or more), cannot ensure an economic exploitation with fixed turbines (i.e., sea depths of more than 60 m or variable seabed depths and turbine heights). Pentland Firth or the Strait of Florida are among the targeted locations. We will deliver the most cost-efficient solution for these regions, a sturdy and easy to maintain solution, while we keep minimum the environmental impact. The product is a 750 ekW turbine within a buoyant diffuser, fully submerged by means of our TLP mooring, which greatly reduces the vertical and horizontal displacements. It is combined with Magnomatics’ PDD generator, a permanent magnet generator that includes an electromagnetic gear inside.
Results achieved to date:
• The creation of a cross-border working network involving technicians and politicians.
• The increase of the reception capacity of the spaces, improving public uses management and accessibility.
• The development of communication tools.
• The support for technical personnel of the spaces: exchanges, training, cross-border resource center, etc.
A Pan-European cooperation network for similar areas.. Transferability of project results to other organisations/ subregions, regions, member states: The main transferable element is the implementation of cooperative work dynamics that overcome the administrative, technical and social differences existing in two different States. The method used, of trust and common work through commissions and the involvement of external local agents, is applicable to any similar area.
Atlantic Success Stories 2024
|
||||||
Event Information |
|
Presentations |
|
Photo Gallery |
Closing Remarks by Mr. Bernhard Friess, Director, Maritime Policy and Blue Economy, Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, European Commission
Embarking on the 5th year of the Atlantic Action Plan, in the ASPC2017 opening plenary session prominent speakers will outline its achievements and provide an overview of funding instruments deployed by the Atlantic community stakeholders to finance their projects. An Atlantic Strategy veteran will present a historical account of the Atlantic Action Plan from the Irish perspective. A Managing Authority will inform participants on the type of projects receiving financing. The session will close with the sharing of good practices from the Baltic Sea basin.
Moderator:
Mr. Christos Economou, Head of Unit, Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, European Commission
Speakers:
More information can be found here
Speakers:
WORKSHOP 1A: Year of Scotland’s Coast and Waters 2020: Multi-sector methodology to ensure Blue Growth
Organiser: VisitScotland
Moderator: Mr. David J Adams McGilp, Regional Director, VisitScotland [PDF]
Speakers:
WORKSHOP 1B: She for Sea, the role of women in the Atlantic Strategy
Organiser: Conference of Atlantic Arc Cities
Moderator: Ms. Tamara Guirao, Secretary General, Conference of Atlantic Arc Cities [PDF]
Speakers:
Organiser: University of Edinburgh
Moderator: Professor J. Murray Roberts, University of Edinburgh [PDF]
Speakers:
WORKSHOP 1D: Setting a bridge between history and modernity of the cultural heritage of the Atlantic Area: from the cities’ maritime military and industrial heritage valorisation to the development of new nautical tourism activities, products and innovation
Organiser: Interreg Atlantic Area
Moderator: Ms. Morgane Lesage, Director of the Joint secretariat of the Programme INTERREG ATLANTIC AREA [PDF]
Speakers:
WORKSHOP 2A: Social Innovation as a Strategy for Atlantic Area Sustainable and Inclusive Development
Organiser: CES - Centre for Social Studies, University of Coimbra
Moderator: Mr. Colin Combe, Senior Lecturer, Glasgow Caledonian University [PDF ]
Speakers:
WORKSHOP 2B: Enhance the action plan with inclusive maritime education and awareness initiatives
Organiser: We Atlantic
Moderator: Mr. François Arbellot, We Atlantic, France [PDF]
Speakers:
WORKSHOP 2C: 'Speed dating' for Integrated Maritime Policy
Organiser: Scottish Coastal Forum (in association with NL Ministry of Environment)
Moderator: Mr. Lodewijk Abspoel, Senior Dutch policy advisor for EU Integrated Maritime Policy and Ms. Rhona Fairgrieve, Scottish Coastal Forum
WORKSHOP 2D: Community-Led Local Development: Opportunities for Fisheries Communities and Cooperation
Organiser: FARNET
Moderator: Susan Grieve, FARNET Geographical Expert UK and Ireland [PDF]
Speakers:
Workshop 1A [PDF] Workshop 2A [PDF]
Workshop 1B [PDF] Workshop 2B [PDF]
Workshop 1C [PDF] Workshop 2C [PDF]
Workshop 1D [PDF] Workshop 2D[PDF]
Speakers:
Atlantic Project Awards |
|
Winners |
|
Photo Gallery |
The 2nd Atlantic Project Awards ceremony was held during the 4th Atlantic Stakeholder Platform Conference in Glasgow on November 8, 2017. The Atlantic Project Awards, this year were presented by the members of the Atlantic Strategy Group (ASG), are designed to honour outstanding success stories, achieved by projects in the geographical area covered by the Atlantic Strategy and that are related to the implementation of the Atlantic Action Plan.
The winners of the 6 categories of the 2nd Atlantic Project Awards ceremony are:
Event Information |
|
Presentations |
|
Neptune is an accommodation, training and professional integration project for twelve young persons aged 18 to 25, which takes place on board a schooner of 42 m.
The schooner will mainly sail in coastal navigation on the French and Spanish Atlantic coasts from Bilbao to Bayonne, and will go exceptionally to Bordeaux.
Conference moderated by Niall McDonough, Director - Policy, Innovation and Research Support Services Marine Institute
Closing Remarks by Mr. Bernhard Friess, Director, Maritime Policy and Blue Economy, Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, European Commission
09.30-09.35 – Introduction to the Conference day
Embarking on the 5th year of the Atlantic Action Plan, in the ASPC2017 opening plenary session prominent speakers will outline its achievements and provide an overview of funding instruments deployed by the Atlantic community stakeholders to finance their projects. An Atlantic Strategy veteran will present a historical account of the Atlantic Action Plan from the Irish perspective. A Managing Authority will inform participants on the type of projects receiving financing. The session will close with the sharing of good practices from the Baltic Sea basin.
Moderator:
Mr. Christos Economou, Head of Unit, Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, European Commission
Speakers:
Questions and answers
10.50-11.15 – Coffee & Tea Break, networking & matchmaking, exhibition
The two-floor dedicated exhibition, networking and match-making area will host 40 stands. Exhibition stands will be allocated to Atlantic stakeholders of a varying spectrum of activities ranging from private organisations, universities and research centres to organisations providing financial support for the implementation of Atlantic actions and projects. Networking and matchmaking activities among interested participants will be facilitated by the Support Team. In addition, a matchmaking tool will be deployed through which the participants will be invited to register prior to the conference so as to simplify the process of profiling, matching, meeting requests, agenda setting, and location reservation.
Participants should not miss this first opportunity to network!
The Atlantic Project Awards will be granted to 6 projects that come under the umbrella of the Atlantic Strategy and Action Plan Priorities I.e. Entrepreneurship & Innovation, Atlantic Marine and Coastal Environment, Accessibility and Connectivity, Sustainability International Cooperation, and a Special Award as recognition of outstanding performance in these areas. 11.50-12.00 - Interreg North-West Europe achieving results: the RegioStars award winning Bio Base NWE project
11.50-12.00 – INTERREG North-West Europe Achieving Results: the RegioStars Award winning Bio Base NWE project
Speakers:
12.00-13.30 – First round of four parallel workshop sessions
Workshop 1A: Year of Scotland’s Coast and Waters 2020: Multi-sector methodology to ensure Blue Growth
Organiser: VisitScotland
Summary: The workshop aims to discuss issues relating to the preservation and promotion of the Atlantic’s cultural heritage through diversification given that 2020 has been designated as Scotland’s Themed Year of Coast and Waters. The workshop is an introduction to how VisitScotland, the national tourism agency for Scotland, is working with partners in public, private and third/charitable sectors to help destinations meet demands from national and international marine and coastal tourism markets, including the global cruise industry. This interactive workshop will briefly set out the Scottish context and provide examples of marine and coastal tourism projects that embrace cultural heritage, skills development and changing maritime activity. Participants will be offered the opportunity to explore effective practices to date and identify what can be learned from other Atlantic Strategy Partners, and consider where partnerships and clusters can increase market demand. The session will conclude with proposals for practical next steps to foster co-operation and collaboration to deliver sustainable blue growth in the European Atlantic Seaboard and provide models for other maritime regions.
Moderator: Mr. David J Adams McGilp, Regional Director, VisitScotland
Speakers:
Workshop 1B: She for Sea, the role of women in the Atlantic Strategy
Organiser: Conference of Atlantic Arc Cities
Summary: The objective is to consider gender equality in the maritime economy through several approaches with ideas and good practices from cities and stakeholders of the Atlantic basin. In line with the priorities of the Atlantic Action Plan and in a cross-thematic approach, the goal of this workshop is to encourage participation from the audience, in order to gather as much as experiences and good practices as possible so as to foster the role of women in the Atlantic Maritime Strategy. In this regard, the "She for Sea" project launched in 2016 by the Conference of Atlantic Cities is an example of good practice towards promoting the role of women in maritime affairs.
Moderator: Ms. Tamara Guirao, Secretary General, Conference of Atlantic Arc Cities
Speakers:
Organiser: University of Edinburgh
Summary: The ATLAS project is tasked with providing essential new knowledge of deep ocean ecosystems and populations in the North Atlantic. Containing reservoirs of biodiversity and genetic material these deep-sea habitats have economic potential that in turn presents social challenges as Atlantic communities seek to capitalise on Blue Growth. ATLAS intends to develop scenario-led strategies that stimulate Blue Growth. The context of this work is to examine case studies under future scenarios of climate change and human use. Social challenges relate to economic opportunities influenced by environmental change. In this workshop, we exemplify different aspects associated with three case studies drawn from the west, mid and east North Atlantic. ATLAS case studies are focal ecosystems located near to blue growth activities as well as representing areas where environmental data is available and where offshore cruises are likely to add information during the life of the project. They are at a scale where biogeographic, regulatory and socio-economic information can be properly integrated. Sharing good practices is an essential element of the ATLAS project as we seek to improve our capacity to monitor, model and predict shifts in deep-water ecosystems and link that understanding into effective ocean governance.
Moderator: Professor J. Murray Roberts, University of Edinburgh
Speakers:
Workshop 1D: Setting a bridge between history and modernity of the cultural heritage of the Atlantic Area: from the cities’ maritime military and industrial heritage valorisation to the development of new nautical tourism activities, products and innovation
Organiser: Interreg Atlantic Area
Summary: One of the main objectives sought by the Interreg Atlantic Area programme is an improved cooperation in view of a better exploitation and preservation of the Atlantic natural and cultural assets, leading to an enhanced attractiveness of the Area by allowing the region to attract new visitors and to generate new products and services. The Programme aims at contributing to develop economic activities, create new local jobs, fix and attract people and create synergies, contributing to the improvement of the social well-being of populations. The new Interreg Atlantic Area programme (2014-2020) has already adopted 42 new projects. Two among are within the topic of the proposed workshop:
Moderator: Ms. Morgane Lesage, Director of the Joint secretariat of the Programme INTERREG ATLANTIC AREA
Speakers:
13.30-15.00 – Lunch, matchmaking and exhibition stands
Participants will have the opportunity to continue the networking and matchmaking activities during lunch.
15.00-16.30 – Working meeting (dedicated to Managing Authorities of European Structural and Investments Funds (ESIF), on invitation): Contribution of ESIF programmes to the implementation of the Atlantic Action Plan” (in parallel of the 2nd round of workshops)
15.00-16.30 – Second round of four Parallel workshop sessions
Workshop 2A: Social Innovation as a Strategy for Atlantic Area Sustainable and Inclusive Development
Organiser: CES - Centre for Social Studies, University of Coimbra
Summary: The workshop is inspired by the Atlantic Social Lab - Atlantic cooperation for the promotion of social innovation (EAPA_246/2016) project and aims to analyse the potential of social innovation to function as an effective mechanism for the sustainable, inclusive and smart development of the Atlantic Area. This workshop will focus, on the one hand, on the discussion and reflection on the wide discrepancies in the level of community engagement in social innovation initiatives across the Atlantic region, from a micro perspective; and on the other hand, in the articulation between smart specialisation strategies (RIS3) of the Atlantic Area regions and the incorporation of the social innovation dimension of these strategies, in a macro perspective. The discussion of these themes aims to contribute to multidimensional reflection on social innovation, as a concept and as a political process, promoting the debate about the social needs that the Atlantic Area faces and allowing the knowledge transfer between stakeholders. It also intends to promote the sharing of good practices in order to build a common strategic vision and to define concrete lines of action to create the socially inclusive and sustainable model of regional development in the Atlantic Area.
Moderator: Mr. Colin Combe, Senior Lecturer, Glasgow Caledonian University
Speakers:
Workshop 2B: Enhance the action plan with inclusive maritime education and awareness initiatives
Organiser: We Atlantic
Summary: With a view to fostering a successful implementation of the Atlantic Action Plan, it is necessary to develop a greater openness of the populations to maritime issues. The workshop aims to emphasize the current and potential contribution of maritime education, culture and leisure to the achievement of an inclusive strategy. It will highlight some good practices aiming to develop the interest of the local populations in maritime issues: maritime and nautical education and culture for young people, especially at school, “maritime communication” towards all publics, for example, through events linked to maritime heritage and culture, jobs and economy, environment, watersports, etc. Speakers from 4 countries will present their vision and showcase several successful experiences.
Moderator: Mr. François Arbellot, We Atlantic, France
Speakers:
Workshop 2C: 'Speed dating' for Integrated Maritime Policy
Organiser: Scottish Coastal Forum (in association with NL Ministry of Environment)
Summary: People involved in Integrated Maritime Policy often know their own area of interest very well but are less sure of how these fit in with other activities? in the wider marine realm and what is needed for the next stages in the EU IMP/Blue Growth agenda. To overcome this, MSP colleagues in the NL Government invented a game that brings together people representing IMP areas such as Blue Growth and Clean Energy with those looking at Governance issues, Skills Development and? possible Joint Actions. In short, sharp interactions, up to 50 players explain their points of view on different subjects to each other and explore possible linkages between subject areas. They then move around the room and do it all over again with a different subject and a different group of people. It’s like Speed Dating for IMP! Within the space of around an hour, with a little facilitation, everyone should have a chance to speak to everyone else about a wide range of topics. It's fast, fun and another innovative approach to understanding the many different, but related, aspects of IMP. It's also perfect for demonstrating transboundary cooperation along, or across, a Regional Sea!
Moderator: Mr. Lodewijk Abspoel, Senior Dutch policy advisor for EU Integrated Maritime Policy and Ms. Rhona Fairgrieve, Scottish Coastal Forum
Workshop 2D: Community-Led Local Development: Opportunities for Fisheries Communities and Cooperation
Organiser: FARNET
Summary: This workshop aims to share with delegates how Community-Led Local Development (CLLD) is helping to deliver real outcomes for fisheries communities across the 20 Member States that implement it under the European Maritime Fisheries Fund (EMFF). It will provide a background and explain the roles of Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAGs) in designing and delivering the area based Local Development Strategies. We will share examples of good practice of projects funded by FLAGs relating to key themes of Priority 4 of the Atlantic Strategy and highlighting the possible cooperation opportunities that could be developed between key stakeholders and fisheries communities. A key objective of the workshop is to develop links that can be generated between FLAGs and other stakeholders in coastal communities and identifying how the work of FLAGs and the Atlantic Strategy can be tied together.
Moderator: Susan Grieve, FARNET Geographical Expert UK and Ireland
Speakers:
16.30-17.30 – Coffee & Tea Break, networking and exhibition
A final opportunity is offered to participants for meetings and further networking exchanges prior to the end of the conference.
17.30-18.30 – Plenary closing session
Niall McDonough, Director - Policy, Innovation and Research Support Services Marine Institute
During the Conference’s final session, a synopsis of the key outcomes from the workshop sessions will be presented by the rapporteurs in the form of a panel discussion followed by exchanges with the audience. The Atlantic Strategy Group 2017 UK Presidency, the Atlantic Strategy Group 2018 ES Presidency and a representative from the European Commission Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries will then close the Conference.
17.30-18.15 – Presentation of workshop sessions outcomes
Workshop rapporteurs
18.15-18.30 – Closing words
Speakers:
Mr. James How, United Kingdom 2017 President of the Atlantic Strategy Group
Mr. Fernando De La Peña López, Spain 2018 Presidency representative of the Atlantic Strategy Group
Mr. Christos Economou, Head of Unit, Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, European Commission
18.30-19.30 – Cocktail reception
Evénement | ![]() |
Présentations | ![]() |
Galerie |
The information you're looking for is available in the following language(s):
Windguru.cz is a leading global forecast provider to sailors, windsurfers, kitesurfers etc. with traffic of cca 1 mln visits a day with majority of users on the Atlantic coast. (e.g. Google Analytics per country available)
TEN-T policy objectives foresee:
The rationale of this project is based on our previous work with olive pomace (OP) and sea bass and sea bream http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0963996916300916.
MarTERA is an ERA-NET Cofund scheme of Horizon 2020 of the European Commission. The overall goal of the ERA-NET Cofund MarTERA is to strengthen the European Research Area (ERA) in maritime and marine technologies as well as Blue Growth.
The project will be transnational.
The objective is the development of the maritime culture among the youth, specially through watersports and maritime education in schools and clubs.
It is also to make Atlantic Area become an excellence pole for the maritime culture of the youth.
Proposal of actions to be implemebnted by the partners:
Event Information |
|
Outcomes |
|
Photo Gallery |
The 3rd Irish National Event of the Support Team for the Atlantic Action Plan took place in Galway on Thursday November 24th 2016. The Irish Support Team’s goal was to firmly connect the Atlantic Strategy with current funding opportunities in the minds of project promoters.
The message was clear, different EU funds should not be viewed as competing but complimentary, and Irish NCPs should share information more frequently.
Having Marcella Smyth – Irish Chair of the Atlantic Strategy Group – emphasized the importance of the Atlantic Strategy both at EU and project proposal level. Marcella opened the session with a high level overview of the Strategy and Plan and actively engaged in the panel discussion and networking opportunities afterwards. Having the Irish Chair of the ASG on the discussion panel also ensured participants knew their comments and opinions were going to be fed back directly at EU level.
Participants and speakers commented positively on the chosen format of the event, focusing on a panel discussion rather than PowerPoint presentations. This active two-way communication format gave plenty of opportunity for interaction on topics participants were interested in, but we were also able to ensure we stayed on target in terms of identified topics for discussion.
One of the main highlights of the day was the networking opportunities for stakeholders. Participants commented that the tea/coffee breaks are the most important part of any event- but as this event was entirely discussion driven, it was felt that networking opportunities were increased.
Each panel member introduced themselves, the operational programme they represented, and its link to the Atlantic Strategy. The moderator then led the panel discussion, covering topics such as:
The information you're looking for is available in the following language(s):
Event Information |
|
Presentations |
|
Photo Gallery |
27 September 2016 - Dublin, Ireland
More information is available here
Cooperation and funding opportunities in the Atlantic Area
How do policies support innovation and entrepreneurship in the Atlantic Area?
Illustration of best practices based on concrete stories from successful entrepreneurs/innovators in the Atlantic area:
Demonstration of how particular maritime and fisheries transnational networks/clusters promoting entrepreneurship and innovation have developed best practices
International dimension of Innovation in the Atlantic area
Update on Galway statement implementation - state of play, synergy with the Atlantic Strategy
ATLAS project – A trans-Atlantic assessment and deep-sea ecosystem-based spatial management plan for Europe
Organiser:
Moderator:
Speakers:
Organiser:
Moderator:
Speakers/Facilitators:
Organiser:
Moderator:
Speakers:
Organiser:
Moderator:
Speakers:
Organiser:
Moderator:
Speakers:
Organiser:
Moderator:
Speakers:
Organiser:
Moderator:
Speakers:
Organiser:
Moderators:
Speakers:
Atlantic City of the Year Award [PDF]
Presentation of workshop sessions outcomes [PDF]
Closing words
Atlantic Project Awards | Winners | Gallery |
The 1st Atlantic Project Awards ceremony was held during the 3rd Atlantic Stakeholder Platform Conference in Dublin on September 27, 2016. The Atlantic Project Awards, presented by the Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Mr. Karmenu Vella, were designed to honour outstanding success stories, achieved by projects in the geographical area covered by the Atlantic Strategy and that were related to the implementation of the Atlantic Action Plan.
The winners of the 5 categories of the 1st Atlantic Project Awards ceremony are:
The Directorate-General (DG) for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs is the European Commission service responsible for:
The information you're looking for is available in the following language(s):
The information you're looking for is available in the following language(s):
The information you're looking for is available in the following language(s):
1. fostering better knowledge of social challenges in the Atlantic area
Exchanging best practice on enhancing the health, social inclusion and well-being of coastal populations and developing appropriate and usable marine socio-economic indicators to measure, compare and follow trends in the development of the blue economy;
2. preserving and promoting the Atlantic's cultural heritage
Combating seasonality and improving prospects for SMEs through diversification of maritime and coastal tourism products and development of niche markets by investing in:
* following as appropriate the principles of the 2001 UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage.
1. promoting cooperation between ports
Facilitating the development of ports as hubs of the blue economy by:
1. improving maritime safety and security
Reinforcing the safety and security of seafarers, coastal populations, property and ecosystems by:
2. exploring and protecting marine waters and coastal zones
Developing a European Atlantic ocean observing and predictive capability, based on existing structures, platforms and mechanisms to support the implementation of EU policies, reduce costs for industry, public authorities and research institutions, stimulate innovation and reduce uncertainty in the behaviour of the Atlantic ocean and the impact of climate change by:
Contributing to the development of tools and strategies to address global climate change issues, including mitigation and adaptation strategies by:
Supporting marine environmental protection and efforts to achieve "good environmental status" of Atlantic waters by 2020 by:
Assessing the social and economic value and functioning of the Atlantic's ecosystems and biodiversity in order to support decision-making.
Contributing to Member States maritime spatial planning and integrated coastal management processes, for example by sharing best practice and facilitating cross-border coordination.
3. sustainable management of marine resources
Developing a better understanding of the technical feasibility, economic viability and environmental impact of mining for minerals in the Atlantic Ocean, and develop and test innovative mining technologies.
Laying the foundations for a sustainable, high-value-added European marine biotechnology industry by:
4. exploitation of the renewable energy potential of the Atlantic area's marine and coastal environment
Considering ways to accelerate the deployment of sustainable offshore renewable energy by:
The Action plan considers responses to the challenges of delivering growth, reducing the carbon footprint, using the sea's natural resources sustainably, responding effectively to threats and emergencies and implementing an "ecosystem" management approach in Atlantic waters. The priorities aim to:
The Action plan also aim to give fresh impetus to the cooperation with other Atlantic nations, such as the United States and Canada, to better understand the dynamic of the ocean.
As a result, by 2018 some 20 projects involving 320 international research teams have evolved, including trans-Atlantic neighbours as well, thanks to the Galway statement and the Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance between the EU, the US and Canada.
1. sharing knowledge between higher education organisations, companies and research centres
Increasing the capacity of the Atlantic area to innovate through research and technology by encouraging:
2. enhancement of competitiveness and innovation capacities in the maritime economy of the Atlantic area
Improving skills in traditional Atlantic industries, such as shipbuilding, aquaculture and fisheries, as well as in the emerging sectors of the blue economy by:
Supporting the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy and revitalising the EU's aquaculture industry through:
This is simply the most powerful tidal turbine that was never designed to date. The theory of the Betz limit is correct, it is based on the calculation of the kinetic energy. Transforming potential energy to kinetic energy can exceed the Betz limit. the wind turbine must be stopped. not because it produce too much, but the blades are subjected to excessive stresses. The principle of the Active Lift Turbine Lift is to transform these constraints by recovering additional energy.
Event | ![]() |
Presentations |
Cllr Gerry Horkan (Chair of the Irish Sea Maritime Forum) [PDF ]
and a video message from Commissioner Karmenu Vella (European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries)
The Atlantic Action Plan: How the support team can help unlock opportunities for project development (Ben Drakeford, UK Focal Point) [PDF ],
Irish Sea Maritime Forum: opportunities for collaboration presented by the Atlantic Strategy (Sue Kidd, ISMF Secretariat/University of Liverpool)
[PDF ]
Update on Interreg Programmes relevant to the Atlantic Action Plan and the Atlantic Area Programme (Filippo Compagni, Department for Communities and Local Government) [PDF ]
Blue Growth in the UK – what areas are of most interest for blue growth (Tim Goodship, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills) [PDF ]
Liverpool LEP: Superport Liverpool initiative and the Atlantis Motorways of the Sea project, Pernille Kousgaard
Update on Horizon 2020 (Ian Holmes, UK Contact Point for Blue Growth) [PDF ]
The information you're looking for is available in the following language(s):
Event | ![]() |
Presentations | ![]() |
Gallery |
The information you're looking for is available in the following language(s):
The information you're looking for is available in the following language(s):
De acuerdo con la Organización Mundial del Turismo (http://www.e-unwto.org/doi/pdf/10.18111/97892844154273), Europa recibió
534,2 millones de visitantes durante el año 2012 (el 51, 6% del Turismo mundial), de los cuales, el 18,5 % (191,1 millones), eligió como destino la zona sur y el Mediterráno, generando un 15,9% de los ingresos por turismo a nivel mundial.
The information you're looking for is available in the following language(s):
Event information | ![]() |
Presentations / Outcomes | ![]() |
Photo Gallery |
29 October 2015 - Brest, France
Representatives of Member States
Jerry Lundy, Committee of the Regions
Inma Valencia, Presidency of the CPMR Atlantic Arc Commission
Michel Hortolan, Atlantic Transnational Network (RTA-ATN)
Workshop organiser:
Speakers:
Workshop organiser:
Speakers:
Workshop organiser:
Speakers:
Workshop organisers:
Speakers:
Participating in the stakeholder panel:
Workshop organiser:
Speakers:
Workshop organiser:
Speakers:
Workshop organisers:
Speakers:
Workshop organisers:
Speakers:
QUEBEC’S MARITIME STRATEGY: NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR COOPERATION IN RESEARCH AND INNOVATION:
BUILDING SUCCESSFUL COOPERATION PROJECTS FOR THE ATLANTIC ACTION PLAN:
Panel of representatives of funding instruments
CLOSING STATEMENTS:
The Support Team is providing for public view only presentations and speeches for which the copyright holder(s) have given their consent.
Event | ![]() |
Introduction | ![]() |
Agenda and presentations |
National Maritime College of Ireland, Ringaskiddy Cork, 10th July 2015 at 1.45pm –3.45pm
Event | ![]() |
Introduction | ![]() |
Agenda and presentations |
National Maritime College of Ireland, Ringaskiddy Cork, 10th July 2015 at 1.45pm –3.45pm
Hosted by: Marine Institute (on behalf of the Marine Coordination Group), Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE) and the Support Team for the Atlantic Action Plan
In July 2015, the 1st Irish National Event was organised by the Support Team for the Atlantic Action Plan as part of the “Our Ocean Wealth Conference” which took place in Cork, Ireland. The Support Team had an exhibition space allowing the five hundred marine stakeholders in Cork to meet the Irish Focal Point and learn more about the Atlantic Action Plan and the services provided by the Support Team. Amongst these visitors was the European Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Mr. Karmenu Vella, who showed great interest in the progress of project and the efforts of the Support Team and Focal Point Ireland in supporting the implementation of the Atlantic Action Plan.
Commissioner Karmenu Vella discussing the Atlantic Action Plan with Stephen Hynes (Director of the Socio-Economic Marine Research Unit (SEMRU) – NUI Galway) and Elizabeth O’Reilly Focal Point Ireland of the Support Team for the Atlantic Action Plan.
The workshop Implementing the Atlantic Action Plan – Opportunities for SMEswas also organised as part of the National Event. This event was looking to provide guidance and proactive support to SMEs working in the area and looking to get access to EU funding and other opportunities. The session was attended by Bernhard Friess Director of the Atlantic, Outermost Regions and Artic in the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries. His presence along with Marcella Smyth, the Maritime Attaché in Brussels, allowed for an active and productive discussion with Irish SMEs who are working in the Atlantic area.
Marcella Smyth Maritime Attaché to Brussels welcomes workshop attendees and Bernhard Freiss from DG MARE at that 1st Irish National event in Cork.
A document summarising the outcomes from the workshop as well as presentations from the day are being circulated to workshop participants or can be requested directly from nationalunitireland@atlanticstrategy.eu.
From left to right: Stephen Hynes (Director of SEMRU), Natasha Evers (Lecturer in NUIG), Eamonn O’Connor (Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO)), Elizabeth O’Reilly (Focal Point Ireland), Commissioner Karmenu Vella (of Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries) Bernhard Friess (Director in DG MARE) Alexandros Chloros (Director in Kantor Qwentes)
The 2nd National Event organised by Focal Point Ireland will be held in Galway, Ireland on the 24th of November 2015 and we look forward to welcoming all stakeholders of the Atlantic Area to attend.
El Programa Interreg Sudoe apoya el desarrollo regional en el sudoeste de Europa financiando proyectos transnacionales a través del Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER).
El Programa promueve la cooperación transnacional para resolver problemas comunes a las regiones del sudoeste europeo, como la baja inversión en investigación y desarrollo, la baja competitividad de la pequeña y mediana empresa y la exposición al cambio climático y a riesgos ambientales.
UGEN addressses two most important challenges of wave energy technology:
Our Events |
|
Events |
|
Archive |
The information you're looking for is available in the following language(s):
Event | ![]() |
Presentations |
Atlantic Strategy and Action Plan - Matthew King (Head of Unit Maritime Policy, outermost regions and Artic) [PDF ]
The Atlantic Action Plan and the role of Support Team - Ben Drakeford (UK Focal Point) [PDF ]
ETC Programmes Relevant to the Atlantic Action Plan and the Atlantic Area Programme - Sam Lucas (Head of ETC Team, DCLG) [PDF ]
Blue economy in the UK: revitalisation and further opportunities - Jonathan Williams (Marine South East) [PDF ]
EU Funding mechanism
Marine Renewable Energy
Parallel workshops – project idea/partner development/sharing experience
Education, Skills and Training
Marine Renewable Energy - Jonathan Williams (MSE), Lucy Harris (CMN), Stuart Anderson (Conwy) [PDF ]
Marine Tourism and Leisure
A critical step in the development of the blue economy particularly outside the traditional, established industries (e.g. fishing) is the identification of routes into the supply chain operated by product manufacturers (e.g. global healthcare and cosmetics companies) whereby producers of "raw" marine-derived ingredients can provide material of the correct quality directly to these manufacturers for a reasonable price. For example, the provision of marine-derived high value chemicals from algae and bacteria (e.g.
The information you're looking for is available in the following language(s):
Who can apply
This action is meant for organisations such as universities, research centres or companies – that propose a short term exchange to their staff. Proposals should include at least three partners, which can be universities, research institutions, or non-academic organisations. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are encouraged to participate.
The LIFE programme is the EU’s funding instrument for the environment and climate action. The general objective of LIFE is to contribute to the implementation, updating and development of EU environmental and climate policy and legislation by co-financing projects with European added value.
Background
In December 2013, the European Commission approved a legislative package for Cohesion Policy 2014-2020, with proposals to ensure that EU investment was targeted on Europe's long-term goals for growth and jobs as laid down in the Europe 2020 Strategy.
The series of storms that the Atlantic arc faced during the winter 2013-14 hightlighted the needs and the interrogations about the efficiency of port defences against the sea.The phenomenon observed in 2013 has been more intense than the previous years.
The port defences facilities (dykes, piers, breakwaters…) are generally adapted to boatyards and docks protection and to absorb ocean waves from storms that happen at least every 30 years and more frequently every 50 years.
Indicator: Quantitative stakeholder outreach | |||||||||||||||||||||
Metrics: Website | |||||||||||||||||||||
Number of visits by type of stakeholders: | total: 1’287 (+38.3% compared to previous month) of which 61.78% from the project area (6.92% PT, 43.59% ES, 6.297% FR, 3.81% UK, 1.17% IE), 38.22% from other countries. |
||||||||||||||||||||
Number of exchanges on website forums: | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Metrics: Events | |||||||||||||||||||||
Number and type of stakeholders contacted/invited to project events: | 125, including: European interregional networks, local authorities, regional authorities, regional development and innovation agencies, a national territorial observatory, a national oceanographic and hydrographical institute. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Number of events attended by focal points: | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Metrics: Relationship-building | |||||||||||||||||||||
Number and type of stakeholder contacts:
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Metrics: Communication products | |||||||||||||||||||||
Number of brochures and videos disseminated: | 1,350 (brochures disseminated from the beginning of the project http://atlanticstrategy.eu/en/library/brochure ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Type of stakeholders reached: | 250 participants in the Atlantic Stakeholders event (Porto, PT); French, Irish, Spanish, Portuguese and British stakeholders. |
Indicator: Events |
Metrics: Participants surveys including a rating system (1-5) regarding the overall organisation of events, and value of information provided and exchanged: |
First national Focal point event (SPAIN, Santander, 26.03.2015) - Main findings of the participants’ feedback survey (sample of 30% of participants):
|
Indicator: Stakeholder project support | |
Metrics: | |
Number of alerts concerning funding opportunities: | 10 |
Number of general information sessions/meetings about project development: | 5 |
Indicator: Project overall project management | |
Metrics: Compliance of activities/outputs undertaken with the Inception report, work plan and timetable: the project is being implemented within schedule. | |
|
|
Metrics: Adherence of the Support Team activities to the project ‘history’ on Basecamp (to-do lists, milestones, events): | |
|
Indicator: Risk and change management | |
Metrics: Continuous listing/recording and analysis of risks and challenges identified: | |
Possible confusion in some stakeholders about the different roles of:
|
|
Metrics: Disappearance/control of risks resulting from mitigating actions undertaken: | |
|
The ERDF aims to strengthen economic and social cohesion in the European Union by correcting imbalances between its regions.
The ERDF focuses its investments on several key priority areas. This is known as 'thematic concentration':
The ERDF resources allocated to these priorities will depend on the category of region.
The ERA-NET MARTEC II was a network of 30 European ministries, authorities and funding organisations responsible for funding RTD in maritime technologies from 25 countries. All together these countries represent the majority of maritime industry in Europe and cover the EU key players in those areas.
The aims of MARTEC are:
Cooperation in Fisheries, Aquaculture and Seafood Processing (COFASP) is an ERA-NET created to directly address actions envisaged within fisheries, aquaculture and seafood. It was created as under the KBBE theme in FP7, and is part of the Europe 2020 strategy, which recognises bioeconomy as an important part of the strategy. The main objectives of COFASP are:
The information you're looking for is available in the following language(s):
Indicator: Quantitative stakeholder outreach | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Metrics: Website | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of visits by type of stakeholders: | total: 936 of which 76.05% from the project area (12.89% PT, 40.14% ES, 10.05% FR, 7.75% UK, 5.22% IE), 23.25% from other countries. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of exchanges on website forums: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Metrics: Events | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number and type of stakeholders contacted/invited to project events: | 125, including: European interregional networks, local authorities, regional authorities, regional development and innovation agencies, a national territorial observatory, a national oceanographic and hydrographical institute. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of events attended by focal points: | 15 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Metrics: Relationship-building | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number and type of stakeholder contacts:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Metrics: Helpdesk | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number and type of stakeholder queries registered: | 11 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Metrics: Communication products | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of brochures and videos disseminated: | 1,350 (brochures disseminated from the beginning of the project http://atlanticstrategy.eu/en/library/brochure ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Type of stakeholders reached: | 250 participants in the Atlantic Stakeholders event (Porto, PT); and French, Irish, Spanish, Portuguese and British stakeholders. |
Indicator: Stakeholder project support | |
Metrics: | |
Number of alerts concerning funding opportunities: | 2 |
Indicator: Project overall project management | |
Metrics: Compliance of activities/outputs undertaken with the Inception report, work plan and timetable: the project is being implemented within schedule. | |
|
|
Metrics: Adherence of the Support Team activities to the project ‘history’ on Basecamp (to-do lists, milestones, events): |
Indicator: Risk and change management | |
Metrics: Continuous listing/recording and analysis of risks and challenges identified: | |
Possible confusion in some stakeholders about the different roles of:
|
|
Metrics: Disappearance/control of risks resulting from mitigating actions undertaken: | |
Specific internal and external communication actions to clarify that the three agents above are all contributing to the same process, although with different roles. |
Indicator: Quantitative stakeholder outreach | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Metrics: Website | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of visits by type of stakeholders: | total: 735 of which 27.5% from the US, 60.3% from the project area (19.5% PT, 17.3% ES, 13.9% FR, 8.6% UK, 1% IE), and the rest from other countries. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of exchanges on website forums: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Metrics: Events | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number and type of stakeholders contacted/invited to project events: | 15, including: European interregional networks, local authorities, regional authorities, regional development and innovation agencies, a national territorial observatory, a national oceanographic and hydrographical institute. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of events attended by focal points: | 14 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Metrics: Relationship-building | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number and type of stakeholder contacts:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Metrics: Helpdesk | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number and type of stakeholder queries registered: | 7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Metrics: Communication products | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of brochures and videos disseminated: | 1,350 (brochures) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Type of stakeholders reached: | 250 participants in the Atlantic Stakeholders event (Porto, PT); French, Irish, Spanish, Portuguese and British stakeholders. |
Indicator: Stakeholder project support | |
Metrics: | |
Number of alerts concerning funding opportunities: | 7 |
Indicator: Project overall project management | |
Metrics: Compliance of activities/outputs undertaken with the Inception report, work plan and timetable: the project is being implemented within schedule. | |
|
|
Metrics: Adherence of the Support Team activities to the project ‘history’ on Basecamp (to-do lists, milestones, events): |
Indicator: Risk and change management | |
Metrics: Continuous listing/recording and analysis of risks and challenges identified: | |
The only risk registered during this period concerns low participation at national Focal Point events. | |
Metrics: Disappearance/control of risks resulting from mitigating actions undertaken: | |
A specific plan to improve planning, communication, coordination and logistics has been developed and is being implemented. |
‘The online registration has been closed. In case you would like to express your interest for participation in the event please contact the Spanish Focal Point in the following email address santander@atlanticstrategy.eu.’
Indicator: Quantitative stakeholder outreach | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Metrics: Website | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of visits by type of stakeholders: | total: 589 of which 42% from the US, 52% from the project area (19% PT, 13% ES, 10% UK, 8% FR, 2% IE), and 6% from other countries. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of exchanges on website forums: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Metrics: Events | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of events attended by focal points: | 8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Metrics: Relationship-building | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number and type of stakeholder contacts:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Metrics: Helpdesk | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number and type of stakeholder queries registered: | 10 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Metrics: Communication products |
Indicator: Stakeholder project support | |
Metrics: | |
Number of alerts concerning funding opportunities: | 2 |
Indicator: Project overall project management | |
Metrics: Compliance of activities/outputs undertaken with the Inception report, work plan and timetable: the project is being implemented within schedule. | |
|
|
Metrics: Adherence of the Support Team activities to the project ‘history’ on Basecamp (to-do lists, milestones, events): |
Indicator: Risk and change management | |
Metrics: Continuous listing/recording and analysis of risks and challenges identified: | |
The only issue registered in December is a slowdown of relevant events organised by third parties in some countries due to the Christmas holidays. | |
Metrics: Disappearance/control of risks resulting from mitigating actions undertaken: | |
KQ carried out a plan to keep the overall participation to events stable. |
Indicator: Quantitative stakeholder outreach | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Metrics: Website | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of visits by type of stakeholders: | n/a | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of exchanges on website forums: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Metrics: Events | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of events attended by focal points: | 9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Metrics: Relationship-building | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number and type of stakeholder contacts:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Metrics: Helpdesk | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number and type of stakeholder queries registered: | 10 |
Indicator: Stakeholder project support | |
Metrics: | |
Number of alerts concerning funding opportunities: | 2 |
Indicator: Project overall project management | |
Metrics: Compliance of activities/outputs undertaken with the Inception report, work plan and timetable: the project is being implemented within schedule. | |
The focal points have started attending local events, engaging with stakeholders, collecting queries, and preparing contributions to the 5 national events to be organised by them in France, Ireland, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom during the first half of 2015. | |
The project website was put fully online on December 1st 2014. | |
The Infoline is accessible for the Atlantic stakeholders since mid-November. | |
The Support Team (central team and focal points) is active on Twitter and Linkedin. |
Indicator: Risk and change management | |
Metrics: Continuous listing/recording and analysis of risks and challenges identified: | |
No issues/challenges registered in November. | |
Metrics: Disappearance/control of risks resulting from mitigating actions undertaken: | |
KQ carried out a plan to minimize the delay (issue registered in October) with the planned completion of the website, which went fully online on the 01/12/2014. | |
The original production plan of the project brochure has been modified to allow the Atlantic stakeholders participating in the Porto event (20.01.2015) to receive it. |
Final Report 2015:
Interim Report:
Monthly Report:
Horizon 2020 is the biggest EU Research and Innovation programme ever with nearly €80 billion of funding available over 7 years (2014 to 2020) – in addition to the private investment that this money will attract. It promises more breakthroughs, discoveries and world-firsts by taking great ideas from the lab to the market.
COSME is the EU programme for the Competitiveness of Enterprises and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) running from 2014 to 2020 with a planned budget of €2.3bn.
The national strategy for the sea and the coast – La Stratégie pour la mer et le littoral
Harnessing Our Ocean Wealth – An Integrated Marine Plan for Ireland
National strategy for the Sea 2013-2020 (Estratégia Nacional para o Mar 2013-2020)
not available
not available
81, Rue du Marteau, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium
Email: helpdesk@atlanticstrategy.eu
The Assistance Mechanism for the Atlantic Action Plan would to thank you accessing our website. Our data protection notice explains how and why we use the personal data we collect when you use our services or when you choose to subscribe to our newsletter.
The protection of your personal data privacy is important to us; therefore, we will never sell lists or email addresses to third parties.
Your personal data will be processed in compliance with Regulation 2018/1725[1] of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2018 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data by the Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies and on the free movement of such data and in particular Article 5(1)(a) because processing is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest (or in the exercise of official authority vested in the Union institution or body) and Article 5(1)(d) based on your explicit prior consent for non-compulsory data.
Our Data Protection Notice is intended to be effective and applicable to any personal data we collect about our Users and Subscribers.
Which personal data we collect from you
Usage Data: these may include information about:
Subscribers: in our website there are fields where you are asked to submit the following identification data through data entry fields:
What is the purpose of collecting your personal data
The personal information we collect from you is used in order to enhance user experience and protect you through your navigation in the website.
In particular:
Legal basis
The legal basis of the processing are:
Who has access to your data
Your personal data is only disclosed to recipients on a need to know basis. The recipients of your personal data will be the central team of the Assistance Mechanism of the Atlantic Action Plan as well as CINEA or other designated Commission staff and/or bodies charged with monitoring or inspection tasks in application of EU law (e.g. internal audits, Court of Auditors, European Anti-fraud Office (OLAF).
Your personal data will not be transferred to third countries or international organisations.
The processing of your data will not include automated decision-making (such as profiling).
In case of audits or proceedings, etc., personal data may be provided to CINEA’s Internal Controller, DPO, Legal Sector, etc.
In addition, data may be disclosed to public authorities in accordance with Union and Member State law such as for instance the European Court of Justice or a national judge as well as the lawyers and the agents of the parties in case of a legal procedure, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), the Internal Audit Service of the Commission, the Court of Auditors ,the European Ombudsman, the European Data Protection Supervisor and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office.
Your data Your choice
We fully appreciate that you trust us with your personal data. We would therefore like to inform you of your rights in case you may no longer wish to share your data with us.
You have the right, at any given time:
However, in line with Article 25 of the Regulation, the data controller may restrict the rights of the data subjects based on the Decision of the Steering Committee (2020) 26 of 14/10/20 (OJEU L 45 on 9.2.2021, p. 80), in case where such restriction constitutes a measure necessary to safeguard the protection of the data subjects or the rights and freedoms of other data subjects, etc.
Data treatment - Communication – Questions
Anytime and for any reason you are welcome to contact us by filling out the form Helpdesk Infoline. All official mail or any kind of communication sent via the Helpdesk Infoline is automatically forwarded to the central management office in Belgium of the Assistance Mechanism for the Atlantic Action Plan.
We use the Combell hosting services and we operate in the EU, therefore we owe to be compliant with the European Legislation in terms of privacy and data protection. Data collected from sources outside EU will anyway be treated in accordance with the applicable EU privacy and data protection Regulations, and in particular Regulation (EU) 2018/1725.
The data are stored in our highly secured servers with daily backups, to which only authorised personnel has physical access and can access the server file system via remote connection within the EU. We take high security measure to safeguard the information against possible misuse or unauthorized access.
You shall have right of recourse at any time to the CINEA Data Protection Officer at CINEA-DPO@ec.europa.eu and to the European Data Protection Supervisor at edps@edps.europa.eu or https://edps.europa.eu.
Public Information and Third Parties
Social Media Platforms and Widgets
Our Newsletter and website include social media features. These features may collect information about IP addresses and which page you are visiting on our site, and they may set a cookie to make sure the feature functions properly. Social media features and widgets are hosted by a third party. We also maintain presences on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Any information, communications, or materials you submit to us via a social media platform is done at Subscribers’ own risk. We cannot control the actions of other users of these platforms or the actions of the platforms themselves. Subscribers’ interactions with those features and platforms are governed by the privacy policies of the companies that provide them.
Links to Third-Party Sites
Our website and Newsletter include links to other websites, whose privacy practices may be different from the on applicable to the website. If you submit personal Information to any of those sites, your information is governed by their privacy policies. Within our website we also provide links to third party sites. Since we do not control them, we encourage you to review their privacy policies carefully. We have no control over and assume no responsibility for the content, privacy policies or practices of any third-party sites or services.
Cookies and Tracking
When you access our Services, we ask for your permission to store ‘cookies’ which are strings of code, on your computer. We use those cookies to collect information about the users’ visits and use of our website or Services. The users may turn off cookies that have been placed on their computer by following the instructions on their browser, however, if they block cookies, it may be more difficult (and maybe even impossible) to use some aspects of the Services.
How we use Cookies
Our website uses technical cookies in order to enhance user experience and to provide services to users. You can control and/or delete cookies as you wish Tracking and third-party cookies may be used too when content from third party sites (like YouTube, Open Street maps, etc.) are embedded in this website. You can delete all cookies that are already on your computer and you can set most browsers to prevent them from being placed. If you do this, however, you may have to manually adjust some preferences every time you visit a site and some services and functionalities may not work. We strongly suggest that you read our cookie policy in order to learn more details about the cookies we use.
Retention of Data
We will retain your Personal Data for the duration of the Assistance Mechanism for the Atlantic Action Plan (48 months) or for as long as you choose to have an active account.
Version May 2021
[1] Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2018 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data by the Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 and Decision No 1247/2002/EC (OJ L295/39 of 21.11.2018).
What is the role of the Assistance Mechanism for the Atlantic Action Plan?
The Assistance Mechanism for the Atlantic Action Plan is tasked to communicate and implement the action plan’s objectives. It is composed of a central management team which follows the progress of the project implementation and four National Hubs based in Ireland, Spain, France and Portugal. In particular, the National Hubs keep regular contact with local, regional and national stakeholders to foster cooperation, obtain and provide timely information on funding opportunities aiming to support interested stakeholders in realising their project ideas and create the right connections between existing funding instruments.
How can you reach us?
If you wish to contact us please send us an email at: helpdesk@atlanticstrategy.eu or use the helpdesk infoline.
What is the Atlantic Strategy?
Approved by the European Commission in 2011, the Atlantic strategy identifies challenges and opportunities in the region and takes stock of existing initiatives that can support growth and job creation. The strategy is implemented through the Atlantic Action Plan, which was developed in 2013. The Commission calls on stakeholders to help design concrete projects which would be able to benefit from EU funding.
Coasts, territorial and jurisdictional waters of five EU member states (France, Ireland, Portugal, Spain and their overseas territories, i.e. the Azores, the Canary Islands, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Madeira, Martinique, Saint-Barthélemy and Saint-Martin), as well as international waters fall within the strategy's scope. The strategy does not cover the North Sea or the Arctic Ocean. A separate strategy exists for the latter.
The development of the Atlantic Strategy dovetails with the Integrated Maritime Policy for the EU, which aims to coordinate all EU policies with a maritime dimension to ensure environmental sustainability and the quality of living conditions in coastal regions while promoting the growth potential of maritime industries.
What type of stakeholders do you support? Do I have to pay for this support?
The support provided by the AAM is free of charge, and directed at any kind of stakeholder who is active in the European Atlantic Member States (e.g. a natural person, private companies, public bodies, NGOs, research centres, etc.).
I have a project idea which does not have a transnational focus and it covers only one specific region of the Atlantic Area. Will I still get support from the Assistance MechanismTeam of the AAP?
Yes. To be eligible to receive support from the Assistance Mechanism Team, strictly national or even regional projects are admissible, as long as they fall under the four priorities of the AAP.
How can I find out if my project can be funded by a certain funding programme or call?
You should pay special attention to the eligibility criteria of the specific call, such as: type of applicant and/or project, location, funding criteria, budget range. If you are still uncertain that your project can be funded, then please contact us so that we can put in contact with our country experts (National Hubs) who will assist you and direct you to the information you need.
How do I know what funding programmes and/or calls are open?
You can search in our continuously updated database, through the following link.
Although we strive to constantly update our database with funding opportunities at European, national, and regional levels which are suitable to finance projects under the priorities of the Atlantic Action Plan, this is not an exhaustive list. Please check frequently because new opportunities may be available soon.
Frédérick Herpers
Frédérick Herpers is an engineer in hydrography and oceanography (ENSTA Bretagne). He has 13 years of experience in geophysics sciences (hydrography, oceanography, geography) for civilian and military purposes (for the Defence ministry. He has more than 10 years of experience in design and implementation of integrated maritime and coastal policies (EU, Sea basin, national, regional and local level) as Integrated Maritime Policy advisor for French Prime Minister at Secretariat general de la Mer (2008-2011). He contributed to the elaboration and adoption of the French maritime policy in 2009, the law transposition of MSFD as the environmental pillar of the national strategy for the sea and the shoreline. As a consultant since 2014 at Stratégies Mer et Littoral (SML), he has been involved in several projects related to Blue Economy mainly in the Atlantic, the Mediterranean and the Black Sea mobilizing his skills and experience in legal and technical matters to develop and implement endorsed maritime strategies and to engage stakeholders in a sustainable blue economy. He has been the national hub for France since 2018 for WestMed Initiative and 2020 for the Atlantic Action Plan 2.0. Therefore, he has a strong liaison with the national coordinator (Secrétariat géneral de la Mer). He is used to work with French maritime competitiveness clusters (Pôle Mer Méditerranée and Atlantique Bretagne) which assists him in its functions as NH for the respective seabasin in a synergetic approach.
He provides with assistance in the design and implementation of integrated maritime and coastal policies and coastal territorial projects, in project management assistance (prospective and strategic studies, drafting of specifications, monitoring of studies, blue economy assessment, maritime spatial planning and integrated coastal zones management) for public authorities, NGOs or private sectors.
Elizabeth Gavin
Elizabeth has over 23 years experience working on EU related programmes as an EU official in both Brussels and The Hague for the European Commission, Eurojust and Clean Aviation (formerly Clean Sky JU). Elizabeth has also considerable experience in international stakeholder management (including Airbus, Rolls Royce, Liebherr, Dassault, Leonardo and Saab (Aviation Research Divisions) She has worked within the European Commission, reported regularly into the European Parliament, and liaised with the European Court of Auditors throughout her career in the EU.
Over the past 7 years based in Ireland, Elizabeth has been supporting companies and third level organisations on EU funding opportunities, including working on maritime and blue economy initiatives in Ireland. She has also contributed to policy development initiatives relating to the role of Ports for offshore wind development and the green transition of ports. Elizabeth has a wealth and unique combination of expert knowledge in the research and innovation business community as well as from within the EU institutions. She strikes a unique balance in approach and understanding which she brings to the Atlantic Assistance Mechanism in her role as National Hub for Ireland. Elizabeth speaks fluent French. She has been National Hub for Ireland since January 2020.
Marta Pascual
Marta Pascual is the Spanish National Hub for the Western Mediterranean Initiative (WestMED) as well as for the Atlantic Action Plan. She has also been appointed as an expert working for the EU MSP Platform and has also been working as a Senior Expert for the EU Commission in works related to Maritime Spatial Planning, Blue Growth, Blue Economy, Circular Economy, Natural Capital Accounting, Biodiversity modelling and Ecosystem Services modelling. Academically, she holds a PhD in Maritime Spatial Planning, is a former Ikerbasque Post-Doctoral Researcher and currently an Associated Researcher at the Basque Centre for Climate Change (BC3, Spain), where she is advancing with the Eco-modelling Research Team on the development of marine ecosystem services models using ARIES (a semantic-modelling platform that uses artificial intelligence and machine reasoning following the FAIR principles). She has more than 13 years of professional experience in the application and implementation of various European environmental and maritime directives such as the MSFD; MSPD; Habitats and Birds Directive, WFD. Her experience in research includes various lines of spatial analysis, stakeholder engagement, scenario mapping, participatory mapping and marine and coastal research applied to maritime policies such as MSP, Ecosystem Services Mapping/Modelling, Integrated Coastal Zone Management, Biological Valuation and Ecosystem Services Valuation (ESV).
We can spread the word about the project or investment ideas that you are planning. Click here and complete the form if you want to add your project to our public funding opportunities database
--------------------------------------
This tool is currently under development and It will be available online shortly.
For the time being please send us your queries, information and requests to helpdesk@atlanticstrategy.eu.
--------------------------------------
Find people that already have experience in your business area to exchange ideas and develop projects together.
Click here and complete the form if you want your organisation's contacts to be added to our public stakeholder database
--------------------------------------
This tool is currently under development and It will be available online shortly.
For the time being please send us your queries, information and requests to helpdesk@atlanticstrategy.eu.
--------------------------------------
![]() |
Atlantic Action Plan - 2021 Implementation Report | ![]() |
![]() |
A new approach for a sustainable blue economy in the EU - Transforming the EU's Blue Economy for a Sustainable Future | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Atlantic Action Plan v.2.0 - Brochure | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
New Action Plan in the Atlantic - Infographic | ![]() |
![]() |
A new approach to the Atlantic maritime strategy – Atlantic action plan 2.0 An updated action plan for a sustainable, resilient and competitive blue economy in the European Union Atlantic area | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Regenerating our ocean and waters by 2030 | ![]() |
![]() |
EU Blue Economy Report 2020 | ![]() |
![]() |
Briefing Paper SIMAtlantic Workshop 6th ASPC, Porto, 13 November 2019 |
![]() |
![]() |
Ocean Health: Projects that Innovate A sample of projects funded between 2014 and 2019 |
![]() |
![]() |
Blue Economy - Established Sectors | ![]() |
![]() |
Our Vision for a Clean Planet for All | ![]() |
![]() |
Declaration of the Sustainable Blue Economy Finance Principles | ![]() |
![]() |
The 2019 Annual Economic Report on the EU Fishing Fleet (STECF 19-06) | ![]() |
Atlantic Action Plan - Consultation Workshops (November 2018, Liverpool, United Kingdom & November 2018, Bordeaux, France) |
![]() |
Atlantic Action Plan - Consultation Workshops (September 2018, Gran Canaria, Spain; September 2018, Viana do Castelo, Portugal; October 2018 - Dublin, Ireland) | ![]() |
|
Blue Bioeconomy Forum Report on the 25 June 2019 event | ![]() |
|
Blue Economy Report 2019 | ![]() |
|
Blue Bioeconomy Forum - Report on the 7 December event | ![]() |
![]() |
Improving international ocean governance | ![]() |
![]() |
2018 Annual Economic Report on EU Blue Economy | ![]() |
![]() |
FARNET: FLAG Support to Women in Fisheries and Aquaculture | ![]() |
![]() |
Study on the economic benefits of MPAs | ![]() |
![]() |
Commission Staff Working Document on the mid-term review of the Atlantic Action Plan |
![]() |
![]() |
Study feeding into the mid-term review of the implementation of the Atlantic Action Plan | ![]() |
![]() |
Galway Statement on Atlantic Ocean Cooperation | ![]() |
![]() |
Sustainable Blue Economy: productive seas and oceans | ![]() |
![]() |
Belem Statement on Atlantic Research and Innovation Cooperation | ![]() |
![]() |
What is the blue economy? | ![]() |
![]() |
Event Report of 3rd Atlantic Stakeholder Platform Conference Dublin 2016 | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Developing a Maritime Strategy for the Atlantic Ocean Area | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Scoping study for the use of financial instruments under the EMFF and related advisory support activities - Final Report, June 2015 | ![]() |
![]() |
Safeguarding the future of our seas, generating new prosperity | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Action Plan for a Maritime Strategy in the Atlantic Area | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Marine Knowledge 2020 - From seabed mapping to ocean forecasting | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Blue Growth, Opportunities for marine and maritime sustainable growth | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Study in support of policy measures for maritime and coastal tourism at EU level | ![]() |
![]() |
A European Strategy for more Growth and Jobs in Coastal and Maritime Tourism | ![]() |
![]() |
The Future of Ocean Energy | ![]() |
![]() |
Study in support of Impact Assessment work on Blue Biotechnology | ![]() |
![]() |
Fisheries and Aquaculture in Europe | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Find information about hot topics on fisheries and the maritime sector and incoming key events.
EU & International Institutions |
|
Sea Basins |
|
Networks |
EU & International Institutions |
|
Sea Basins |
|
Networks |
![]() |
Atlantic Action Plan 2.0 |
A useful overview on the maritime economy of the countries covered by the Atlantic Strategy is accessible through the links below and include:
You will also find a list of existing maritime strategies in France, Ireland, Portugal, Spain and the UK, as well as those in preparation.
You can download the full country fact sheets below:
The Assistance Mechanism for the Atlantic Action Plan, as an EU funded project, has the following goals:
The Assistance Mechanism team consists of a network of National Hubs operating in France, Ireland, Portugal and Spain, coordinated by a central team.
Starting in 2022, the European Union committed to set up a unique assistance mechanism for the implementation of the EU sea-basin strategies covering the Atlantic, the Black Sea and the Western Mediterranean. This mechanism aims to upscale best practices and lessons learnt and optimise some common activities by facilitating synergies between sea-basins, identifying consistent policy feedback and promoting informed planning of future actions. It also allows better coordination of common tasks like communication activities, organisation of regional and national events, functioning of the maritime data hub and project data collection as well as an enhanced complementarity with other projects like BlueInvest or the Maritime Spatial Planning Assistance Mechanism supported by the European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund.