Continuing our Blue regions in action series, this week we travel to Occitanie and Région Sud/PACA!
STEP 1: Identification of regional challenges
The co-creation workshop held on 2 December 2024 brought together local actors to define the key regional challenge in the blue economy: water management in port areas. This includes:
– Water quality monitoring and control
– Collection and treatment of ship and port wastewater
– Reuse of treated water
– Freshwater production technologies
STEP 2: CALL FOR INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS
A total of 10 solutions were submitted to the Call for Solutions in Occitanie and Sud-PACA. These submissions demonstrated strong engagement from regional SMEs, research organizations, and civil society. Of the 10 solutions received, 7 were submitted by enterprises and SMEs, 1 by a public institution, 1 by a research organization, and 1 by an association/NGO.
STEP 3: ACCELERATING THE IDEAS THROUGH THE TRAIN LAB
On 6 November 2025, the TRAIN Lab was held, combining an in-person working group with a port visit. The session gathered 29 participants, including port authorities, regional stakeholders, innovative SMEs, and legal experts.
The workshop featured a Mentimeter participatory session that allowed participants to:
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Identify common regulatory bottlenecks
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Rank the most urgent legal and technical issues
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Co-design priority areas for regional innovation
Key outcomes & insights:
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A shared need for clearer regulatory guidance on water reuse, wastewater treatment, desalination, and compliance with environmental standards
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High readiness from SMEs and solution providers to implement pilot projects in operational port settings
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Port authorities expressed commitment to reducing potable water consumption and adopting on-site water management technologies
Challenges identified:
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Lack of harmonization of water reuse regulations across regional authorities
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Administrative complexity slowing down innovation deployment
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Need for stronger dialogue between legal experts, port managers, and technology providers
Next steps:
In early 2026, a practical regulatory compliance guide will be developed based on the co-created insights from this TRAIN Lab. The guide will provide:
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Clarification of regulatory obligations
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Required processes and authorizations
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Practical recommendations for deploying innovative water management solutions
The ECOMATCH event will be held in Marseille next 28 and 29 April 2029 thanks to the support of local project partner Pôle Mer Mediterranée.
Stay tuned to BLUE ECOSYSTEM social media for real-time updates (LinkedIn or website).
For further information about the project, please contact jordi.juarez@crpm.org
