The Joint Atlantic - WestMED Project Awards 2026 are now open for applications.
Launched in the framework of the Joint Atlantic - WestMED Stakeholder Conference, this first-ever joint edition brings together the two sea basins under a unified Awards scheme, marking an important step towards enhanced cooperation and alignment between Europe’s Sea Basin Strategies.
The Awards recognise outstanding projects contributing to the sustainable blue economy, showcasing best practices and replicable success stories, while highlighting high-impact and scalable initiatives. They aim to increase the visibility of EU and nationally funded projects, strengthen stakeholder communities, and promote cross-sea basin learning, knowledge exchange and transferability of solutions.
Under this joint framework, applications are assessed through a single competitive process, resulting in one winner per category, regardless of geographical origin.
Projects from across the Atlantic and WestMED regions are invited to apply.
Award Categories
The 2026 edition features four thematic categories reflecting shared priorities across both sea basins and align with key EU policy priorities and ongoing work under both the Atlantic Maritime Strategy and the WestMED Initiative:
Blue Skills and Ocean Literacy: Projects that strengthen workforce development across maritime sectors through education, training, lifelong learning, and the promotion of maritime careers, while also fostering ocean literacy and public awareness.
Maritime Spatial Planning: Initiatives contributing to the sustainable, integrated and evidence-based management of marine spaces, including spatial planning tools, data systems, and cross-sectoral coordination among maritime activities.
Biodiversity, Healthy Oceans and Resilient Coasts: Projects focused on protecting and restoring marine and coastal ecosystems, enhancing biodiversity, strengthening coastal resilience, and addressing pollution, climate change and ecosystem degradation.
Maritime Transport, Green Ports and Energy Transition: Initiatives supporting the decarbonisation and sustainability of maritime transport and port operations, including clean technologies, green ports, and marine renewable energy solutions.
Who can apply?
Applications are open to individuals, organisations, authorities, networks, consortia and institutions with projects that:
Are established or operational in eligible Atlantic or WestMED countries
Represent a funded project or initiative (ongoing or completed)
Have started within the last 36 months (indicative)
Are implemented within the geographical scope of one of the two sea basins
Projects demonstrating transferability, scalability or cross-sea basin relevance are particularly encouraged.
What do winners receive?
Awarded projects will:
Receive a Sea Basin certificate and trophy
Be invited to present their project during the Conference
Benefit from promotion across Atlantic and WestMED communication channels
Gain access to networking and support opportunities via National Hubs
Receive an official Award Seal
Have travel and accommodation covered for participation in the Conference
In addition, all category winners will participate in a live pitching session, where one project will be selected as the “winner of winners” through audience voting.
Selection and Award Ceremony
Applications will be evaluated by a jury of blue economy experts from both sea basins, based on common criteria including relevance, impact, innovation, sustainability and cooperation.
The winners will be announced during the Joint Atlantic-WestMED Stakeholder Conference, taking place on: 16 September 2026 - Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
How to apply
Applications must be submitted through the official online application form available on the Atlantic Strategy and WestMED Initiative websites.
Deadline: 30 June 2026