The Blue Challenge: Interreg Project Development Training Programme is a new capacity‑building initiative designed to empower young talent to develop high‑quality, fundable project proposals that contribute to the sustainable growth of the blue economy.
Jointly aligned with the priorities of the Atlantic Sea Basin Strategy and the WestMED Initiative and the, the programme aims to equip early‑career students and professionals with the practical skills and tools required to design, structure and submit strong Interreg project proposals, while fostering transnational cooperation across sea basins.
A hands‑on learning journey on Interreg project development
The Blue Challenge offers a 4‑month interactive training journey, covering the full lifecycle of an Interreg project proposal - from programming and project design to budgeting, proposal writing and submission. The training focuses on key Interreg programmes relevant to the Atlantic and Mediterranean regions, including Interreg Atlantic Area, Interreg MAC, Interreg NEXT‑MED and Interreg EURO‑MED.
Designed as a beginner‑level course, the programme does not require prior experience in EU project development and combines theoretical learning with practical, applied exercises.
Participants will benefit from:
Interactive online webinars led by experienced practitioners
Case studies based on real Interreg funded projects
Group discussions and collaborative exercises
Individual knowledge tests to support learning progression
Access to dedicated online platforms and resources
Online training and in‑person Blue Challenge Day
The programme will run through a blended format combining online and in‑person activities. The online training phase will take place between May and mid‑July 2026, followed by a culminating in‑person Blue Challenge Day on 15 September 2026 in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain.
During the Blue Challenge Day:
Participants will work in teams on a full Interreg project proposal
Each team will deliver an 8‑minute pitch to a jury of blue economy and Interreg experts
Winning proposals will be selected based on quality, relevance and feasibility
An Awards Ceremony will take place on 16 September 2026, back‑to‑back with the Atlantic–WestMED Stakeholder Conference, providing visibility and recognition to the winning teams.
Who can apply?
The Blue Challenge is open to young adults aged 18–25 from countries eligible under Interreg programmes, including both Atlantic and Mediterranean regions
A maximum of 100 participants will be selected, with attention to geographical and gender balance
- The working language of the programme is English
Recognition and follow‑up support
Winning teams will receive a formal recognition award and benefit from tailored follow‑up guidance, helping them further develop their proposals into full applications for upcoming Interreg funding calls. The evaluation process will involve representatives from Interreg programme secretariats and blue economy experts, with the support of the Sea Basin Assistance Mechanism National Hubs.
Registrations for the Blue Challenge are now open - register now
Registrations close on 26th May.