What we achieve

Alentejo has identified the following challenges:

1. Bioeconomy – Agrofood: Aiming to protect biodiversity and enhance food security through sustainable aquaculture practices, the use of alternative proteins, biodegradable gear and valorization of marine by-products, while addressing challenges such as IUU fishing and the environmental footprint of fisheries.
2. Sustainable tourism: Promoting eco-sustainable tourism by shifting from mass tourism to community-based coastal or river experiences, investing in digital transformation, sustainable mobility and the preservation of maritime/river culture, with a focus on natural reserves like Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina.
3. Transport and logistics: Decarbonization through electrification of ports, green ship design, smart logistics and alternative fuels, positioning the Port of Sines as a key blue innovation hub for digital and green transition.
4. Energy: Advancing towards marine/river renewables – offshore wind, solar, wave energy and green hydrogen – supported by infrastructure investments and aligned with national carbon neutrality goals.

Through this Call for Expression of Interest, ADRAL – Alentejo Regional Development Agency – seeks innovative ideas and practical solutions that respond to the region’s specific challenges within the Blue Economy.

By joining this call, you can showcase your ideas, increase visibility, and access valuable resources to strengthen project development. Shortlisted solutions will receive recognition and promotion, while the winners of each thematic area will secure an exclusive opportunity to present their projects to key regional stakeholders and decision-makers — creating real impact for the Blue Economy in the Alentejo.

This is your opportunity to turn innovative ideas into actionable solutions, contribute to regional sustainability, and position yourself at the forefront of transformative change in one of Portugal’s most promising territories.

👥 Who can apply?

• Private Enterprises (SMEs, medium and large companies)

• National / Regional / Local public authorities

• Business support organisations

• Sectoral agencies

• Higher education and research / innovation institutes

• Research laboratories

• Clusters

• Universities

• Education / training centres and schools

• Interest groups, including NGOs

• International organisations, EEIGs

• Others

More details HERE

DEADLINE TO APPLY: 16 January 2026

Balearic Islands has identified the following challenges:

• Bioeconomy-Agrofood: Prioritizing biodiversity conservation, carbon neutrality, and the sustainable management of fisheries through Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), low-impact fishing practices, and economic incentives such as promoting high-quality local seafood.
• Energy sector: Focusing on achieving carbon neutrality by expanding offshore wind and solar farms, developing green fuels like hydrogen and wave energy, and fostering stakeholder collaboration to streamline implementation.
• Cultural & creative industries: Seeking to balance economic growth and conservation by promoting eco-friendly tourism, digital transformation in hospitality, and community-based sustainability initiatives

Emilia-Romagna has identified the following challenges:

• Blue Bioeconomy: Aiming to protect biodiversity and promote circular economy practices by enhancing sustainable aquaculture, fostering regenerative practices. Challenges include the lack of standardized guidelines and the need for improved utilization of local resources. Key actions involve supporting marine biotechnologies, collaboration between fishermen and research institutions, and regulatory improvements.
• Marine Manufacturing: Seeking to the marine renewable energy transition, encourages offshore wind and solar energy adoption, and promotes sustainable shipbuilding. High implementation costs and fragmented supply chains remain challenges. Italy plans to integrate floating photovoltaics, develop supply chains for marine energy infrastructure, and leverage decommissioned offshore platforms for renewable energy projects.
• Coastal Protection and Tourism 2.0: Prioritizing eco-tourism and marine conservation, aiming to enhance stakeholder collaboration, digital transformation, and risk management in coastal areas. Key interventions include digital platforms for monitoring, community-based eco-tourism models, and financial incentives for sustainable tourism projects.

Greece has identified the following challenges:

• Bioeconomy-Agrofood: Enhancing biodiversity and carbon neutrality in aquaculture, promoting sustainable marine food systems, and fostering Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) to manage nutrient overload.
• Environment: Restoring marine biodiversity and tackle pollution by deploying advanced waste collection technologies and engaging communities in habitat restoration. ICT-Digital Transformation focuses on AI-based monitoring and IoT systems to enhance marine resource management, addressing data-sharing limitations.
• Digital transformation: Focusing on AI-based monitoring and IoT systems to enhance marine resource management, addressing data-sharing limitations.
• Public health: Targeting marine biotechnology for pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals, R&D and regulatory improvements.
• Energy: Centered on reducing emissions, enhancing efficiency, and integrating marine renewable energy through wave and wind energy development and cold ironing
• Social innovation: Regulatory alignment, investment in R&D, and fostering public-private collaboration

 Région Occitanie & Région Sud-PACA has identified water management in ports 💧 as the main challenge, including:

• Water quality monitoring and control ;
• Collection and treatment of wastewater from ships and ports;
• Reuse of treated water;
• Freshwater production technologies;
• Digital solutions and integrated management tools to improve decision-making processes.

Zadar County has identified the following challenges:

• Bioeconomy-Agrofood: Seeking to enhance sustainable aquaculture, reduce waste, and develop biodegradable gear to minimize environmental impact, addressing Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing through regulatory improvements and R&D investment
• Transport & logistics: Focusing on decarbonizing ports and shipping through alternative fuels, smart logistics, and electrified port infrastructure, with the goal of positioning Croatia as a leader in low-emission maritime transport.
• Digital transformation: Prioritizing AI and IoT applications for real-time marine monitoring, data-sharing frameworks, and citizen science engagement.
• Environment: Centered on marine ecosystem restoration, habitat protection, and pollution prevention, leveraging drones and AI technologies for marine monitoring.
• Social innovation: Promoting eco-tourism, enhance digital tourism platforms, and encourage community-driven conservation efforts, incorporating green certifications and environmental stewardship models.