Ocean and Waters Projects Events – April 2026
Ocean and Waters Projects Events – April 2026 https://pharosproject.eu/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Ocean-and-Waters-Projects-Events.png 800 600 PHAROS Project https://pharosproject.eu/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Ocean-and-Waters-Projects-Events.pngPHAROS actively participates in the Mission Ocean and Waters Communication Collaborative as part of its mandate to build strategic links with other EU Missions, European Blue Parks, Mission lighthouses, and related initiatives. The Collaborative brings together communications representatives from partner projects, CSAs, the Mission Implementation Platform, and European Commission leaders for monthly coordination meetings where participants share project updates and align messaging. The following updates reflect activities and developments shared by participating members during the April 2026 meeting cycle.
PLASTIC FANTASTIC Hackathon – Apply by 27 April 2026
Applications are now open for the PLASTIC FANTASTIC Hackathon, an online innovation challenge where teams design actionable solutions for the detection, collection, prevention and valorisation of marine litter. The hackathon welcomes innovators, researchers, entrepreneurs and students to tackle one of the most pressing challenges facing our ocean.
What: An online innovation challenge focused on marine litter solutions. Pharos Plastic Fantastic Hackathon Ideation Workshop to prepare participants for the application – 15 April 2026, 17:00-18:00
Who: Open to multidisciplinary teams. Presented by Mikel Oleaga from Impact Hub Athens / PHAROS project.
Where: Online.
When: Apply by 27 April 2026.
Why: To accelerate innovative approaches to reduce marine litter across Europe.
European Maritime Day 2026 – Share Your Interest by [Date]
The European Maritime Day (EMD) is the flagship annual event for maritime affairs, bringing together policymakers, industry and project communities. The Mission Secretariat invites projects to express interest in attending, applying for a booth, or delivering short focused presentations at the Mission Booth. Participation helps showcase Mission-related activities and strengthen collaboration across the ocean community.
What: Call for projects to participate in European Maritime Day 2026.
Who: Presented by Jacques Delores EC, DG MARE.
Where: Brussels, Belgium (as part of European Ocean Days, 2–6 March 2026).
When: Interest form open now.
Why: To highlight Mission projects and foster cross-sectoral collaboration.
Share your interest: European Maritime Days participation or interest.docx
TASC-RestoreMed Open Call – €8 Million – Deadline: 27 May 2026
TASC-RestoreMed has launched an open call offering €8 million in funding, technical assistance and dynamic networking for community-led actions and transition agendas in the Mediterranean basin. This initiative supports local efforts to restore marine ecosystems and advance sustainable transitions across the region.
What: Open call with €8 million for community-led actions and transition agendas.
Who: Presented by Violetta Tsitsiliani, Impact Hub Athens / TASC-RestoreMed.
Where: Mediterranean basin.
When: Apply by 27 May 2026.
Why: To empower local actors in restoring ocean and waters while fostering sustainable development.
VeriFish – Final Media Products and Campaigns
VeriFish is releasing a series of media products and campaigns in its final project month. The materials aim to improve seafood traceability, raise consumer awareness, and support sustainable fisheries. Projects and stakeholders are invited to explore and share these resources.
What: Presentation of VeriFish media products and campaigns.
Who: Presented by Ixai Salvo, Eurofish International Organisation.
Where: Online.
When: Final month of the project.
Why: To provide tools and storytelling that promote transparency and sustainability in the seafood sector.
BlueLightS – Podcast Launch and Blue Education Workshop – Next Workshop: 27 April 2026
BlueLightS has launched a five‑episode mini‑podcast exploring ocean and water topics, and continues its Blue Education Framework Workshop Series. The next workshop, focusing on educational resources, takes place on 27 April. These initiatives aim to deepen blue education and ocean literacy across Europe.
What: New podcast series and ongoing Blue Education Framework workshops.
Who: Presented by Mikaela Martirosyan, REVOLVE / BlueLightS.
Where: Online.
When: Next workshop 27 April 2026.
Why: To engage educators, students and the public in ocean literacy through accessible media and collaborative learning.
More information:
- Podcast: Everything Is Changing | Spotify
- YouTube playlist: BlueBoard
- Workshop: Blue Education Workshop III
BlueActionAA – Open Calls and Webinar on Marine Pollution – Webinar: 9 April 2026
BlueActionAA has opened its Community‑led action call (BAAC‑01) and Transition Agenda Call (BAAT‑01), alongside a thematic webinar on marine pollution. The initiatives support community‑driven and transitional actions addressing ocean and water challenges in the Atlantic and Arctic basins.
What: Open calls for community‑led actions and transition agendas, plus a webinar on marine pollution.
Who: Presented by Alessandro Colombo, AIR Centre.
Where: Online.
When: Webinar on 9 April 2026; open calls ongoing.
Why: To foster local innovation and cross‑sector collaboration for ocean restoration.
iMERMAID – Implementing Citizen Science in Municipalities – Webinar: 7 April 2026
iMERMAID and the European Citizen Science Association (ECS) are teaming up for a session that brings practitioners and municipal authorities together to discuss how citizen science can be implemented to address water‑related challenges. The session offers practical insights and opportunities for collaboration.
What: A collaborative session on implementing citizen science in municipalities.
Who: Presented by Ellie Shtereva, F6S.
Where: Online.
When: 7 April 2026, 11:00–12:30 CET.
Why: To bridge citizen science practitioners with local authorities for effective water stewardship.
Coalition of Cities, Regions, Islands and Ports for Mission Ocean
The Coalition of cities, regions, islands and ports for Mission Ocean and Waters, implemented by the CO‑WATERS project, brings together local authorities committed to the Mission’s objectives. It provides a platform for collaboration, knowledge sharing and joint action to restore our ocean and waters by 2030.
What: A coalition supporting local and regional engagement in the Mission.
Who: Presented by Clea Prieto, LGI (CO‑WATERS project).
Where: Europe‑wide.
When: Open for membership now.
Why: To strengthen collective action and amplify local voices in the Mission.
More information: CO-WATERS Coalition
Join the Coalition: https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/MOW_Coalition
Upcoming Events
Workshop on Posidonia oceanica Restoration – 3 June 2026
This hybrid workshop focuses on the restoration of Posidonia oceanica, a vital seagrass habitat in the Mediterranean. The event brings together scientists, practitioners and policymakers to share latest research and practical restoration approaches.
What: A workshop dedicated to Posidonia oceanica restoration techniques and case studies.
Who: Organised by the SUNBIO project.
Where: Vilanova, Spain (hybrid participation available).
When: 3 June 2026.
Why: To advance knowledge and collaboration on seagrass restoration, a key priority for Mission Ocean and Waters.
EcoDaLLi Legacy Event: From Living Labs to Policy and Practice – 28 April 2026
EcoDaLLi is hosting its legacy event in Ruse, Bulgaria, to showcase how Living Labs can translate into policy impact and practical solutions for the Danube region. The event highlights results, lessons learned and pathways for sustaining collaboration beyond the project.
What: A legacy event focused on the transition from Living Labs to policy and practice.
Who: Organised by the EcoDaLLi project.
Where: Ruse, Bulgaria.
When: 28 April 2026.
Why: To demonstrate how local experimentation can inform policy and scale up solutions for the Danube and beyond.
Citizen Science, an Educational Tool for Blue Schools – Webinar: 14 April 2026
This webinar targets teachers and educators interested in integrating citizen science into their classrooms. Organised by the ProBleu project, the session explores how citizen science can foster ocean literacy and empower students as agents of change for blue schools.
What: A webinar introducing citizen science as an educational tool for blue schools.
Who: Presented by the ProBleu project.
Where: Online.
When: 14 April 2026, 17:00–18:00 CET.
Why: To equip teachers with practical methods to engage students in environmental monitoring and ocean stewardship.
Share on LinkedIn: LinkedIn post
ICES Annual Science Conference 2026 – 15–18 September 2026
The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) Annual Science Conference returns to Brest, France, bringing together marine scientists from around the world. The conference features sessions on the latest marine science, ecosystem-based management and advice for sustainable use of the ocean.
What: The annual flagship conference of ICES.
Who: Open to marine scientists, managers and stakeholders.
Where: Brest, France.
When: 15–18 September 2026.
Why: To exchange cutting-edge marine science and support evidence-based decision-making.
Restoring Marine Forests Across Depths – Webinar Miniseries – 14 April to 5 May 2026
OCEAN CITIZEN presents a four‑part webinar miniseries exploring the restoration of marine forests across different depths. Aimed at the general public, each session dives into the importance of underwater forests, the science behind restoration and how communities can get involved.
What: A webinar miniseries on restoring marine forests across depths.
Who: Presented by OCEAN CITIZEN.
Where: Online.
When: Tuesdays, 14 April – 5 May 2026, 17:00 CET.
Why: To raise awareness and inspire action for restoring critical marine habitats.
Implementing Open Calls under Mission Ocean: Lessons Learned – Webinar: 7 May 2026
This joint webinar brings together the Shore, ProBleu and BlueLightS projects to share insights and lessons learned from implementing open calls under Mission Ocean and Waters. It offers practical advice for current and future cascade funding initiatives.
What: A webinar on lessons learned from Mission Ocean open calls.
Who: Co‑organised by Shore, ProBleu and BlueLightS.
Where: Online.
When: 7 May 2026, 17:00 CET.
Why: To share best practices and support effective implementation of open calls.
Registration: Link will be shared on the social media channels of Shore, ProBleu and BlueLightS.
Workshop: Energy Transition in Fisheries and Aquaculture – 16 April 2026
The PHAROS project hosts a workshop dedicated to the energy transition in fisheries and aquaculture. The event brings together experts to explore innovative technologies, policy frameworks and practical pathways to decarbonise the seafood sector.
What: A workshop on energy transition in fisheries and aquaculture.
Who: Organised by PHAROS.
Where: Online.
When: 16 April 2026, 09:30–18:00 CET.
Why: To accelerate the shift towards sustainable energy use in Europe’s seafood industries.
Pharos Plastic Fantastic Hackathon Ideation Workshop – 15 April 2026
As part of the PLASTIC FANTASTIC Hackathon, PHAROS is hosting an ideation workshop to help participants refine their solutions for marine litter. The session offers guidance, networking and collaborative brainstorming.
What: An ideation workshop supporting the PLASTIC FANTASTIC Hackathon.
Who: Hosted by the PHAROS project.
Where: Online.
When: 15 April 2026, 17:00–18:00 CET.
Why: To support teams in developing impactful solutions for marine litter challenges.
Implementing Citizen Science in Municipalities – Webinar: 7 April 2026
This session, co‑organised by ECSA and iMERMAID, brings together practitioners and municipal authorities to explore how citizen science can be implemented to address water‑related challenges. It offers practical insights and opportunities for collaboration.
What: A webinar on implementing citizen science in municipalities.
Who: Co‑organised by the European Citizen Science Association (ECSA) and the iMERMAID project.
Where: Online.
When: 7 April 2026, 11:00–12:30 CET.
Why: To bridge citizen science practitioners with local authorities for effective water stewardship.
Past Events
Canary Island Living Lab Launched – 28–31 January 2026
PHAROS successfully launched its Canary Island Living Lab with a mega‑event that brought together local stakeholders, innovators and citizens to co‑design solutions for marine litter and the blue economy. The launch marked a major milestone for the project’s participatory approach.
What: The launch of the PHAROS Canary Island Living Lab.
Who: Organised by the PHAROS project.
Where: Canary Islands, Spain.
When: 28–31 January 2026.
Why: To establish a collaborative space for testing and scaling solutions for ocean sustainability.
Cleaner Seas Begin on Land: Prevention, Zero Waste & Community Action – 26 March 2026
This event, hosted by PHAROS, highlighted the critical link between land‑based actions and ocean health. Participants explored prevention strategies, zero‑waste approaches and community‑driven initiatives to reduce marine litter at source.
What: An event focused on land‑based prevention and community action to tackle marine litter.
Who: Organised by PHAROS.
Where: Online.
When: 26 March 2026.
Why: To promote upstream solutions and community engagement for cleaner seas.
VeriFish Final Event – 10–11 March 2026
VeriFish concluded its project with a final event in Brussels, showcasing results and media products aimed at improving seafood traceability and sustainability. The event brought together project partners, policymakers and stakeholders to reflect on achievements and discuss future pathways.
What: The final conference of the VeriFish project.
Who: Organised by the VeriFish consortium.
Where: Brussels, Belgium.
When: 10–11 March 2026.
Why: To present project outcomes and advance collaboration on seafood transparency.
