Atlantic News

The European Commission has announced an investment of more than €103 million in seven long‑term strategic LIFE projects aimed at tackling Europe’s climate and environmental challenges through integrated, long‑term action. The funding represents around 36% of a total €284 million investment package under the EU’s flagship LIFE Programme. 

The selected projects are located in Finland, France, Greece, the Netherlands...

In March 2026, the European Commission adopted two complementary strategies aimed at strengthening the competitiveness, sustainability, security and resilience of the EU’s maritime ecosystem: the EU Ports Strategy and the EU Industrial Maritime Strategy. Together, they provide a forward‑looking framework to support ports, shipping and shipbuilding as strategic pillars of Europe’s economy and maritime sovereignty. 

The strategies respond...

A new study published by the European Commission presents an EU‑wide assessment of progress in implementing the Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) Directive across Member States, building on and updating the Commission’s 2022 assessment.

The study analyses how MSP is being developed and applied across Europe’s marine waters, with a particular focus on national planning practices, cross‑border cooperation, and coherence...

The European Commission launched the ETP Champions initiative, a new best‑practices competition under the Energy Transition Partnership (ETP) for EU Fisheries and Aquaculture, aimed at recognising outstanding projects and solutions that actively support the sector’s energy transition. 

This first edition of the Energy Transition for EU Fisheries and Aquaculture Champions, taking place in 2026, highlights forward‑looking...

Atlantic ports are increasingly exposed to the impacts of climate change, including sea level rise, coastal flooding, erosion, and the growing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. Given their strategic role in economic activity, connectivity, fisheries and coastal communities, it is essential that ports are equipped with practical and effective tools to adapt to these evolving challenges.

In this...

On 5 March 2026, the 4th Mission Ocean and Waters Forum took place in Brussels as part of the EU Ocean Days 2026, a week‑long event dedicated to the prosperity, competitiveness, security, and sustainability of European ocean and freshwater systems. Bringing together policymakers, researchers, institutional actors and sea‑basin representatives, the Forum served as a key moment to assess...

Gijón Showcases Its Commitment to the Blue Economy with a Roadshow on European Funding Opportunities

On 27 February 2026, Gijón hosted the event “Taller: Oportunidades de financiación en la economía azul”, a full‑day workshop dedicated to exploring the diverse funding instruments available to strengthen the region’s blue economy. 

The event, organised by Gijón Impulsa in close...

The 1st Atlantic Steering Committee (ASC) meeting under the Spanish Presidency took place on 3 March in Brussels, bringing together Committee Members and Observers from across the Atlantic for a productive and forward-looking discussion. 

The meeting featured the presentation of the Atlantic Success Case HY2FISH project, a pioneering project focused on the development of a decarbonised...

The European Commission has launched a call for evidence to help shape the upcoming EU Strategy for Coastal Communities, a key initiative announced under the European Ocean Pact. This consultation is open until 23 March 2026 and invites citizens, organisations, regional authorities, and all coastal stakeholders to share their views on the future of Europe’s coastal regions.

Coastal...

The European Commission’s Energy Transition Partnership (ETP) has published a consolidated set of Joint Considerations and Sectoral Recommendations to guide the fisheries and aquaculture sectors toward climate neutrality. Developed through 38 meetings with nearly 400 stakeholders across 10 working groups, the document identifies common priorities and sector‑specific needs. 

The recommendations highlight key transition enablers, including demonstrating the feasibility of...