PHAROS Project

PHAROS Santorini Blue Loop Living Lab
2026-05-14 09:00 - 2026-05-17 20:00 (Europe/Moscow)
PHAROS Santorini Blue Loop Living Lab kicks off with a four-day programme of action and collaboration

From 14 to 17 May in Santorini, the Santorini Blue Loop Living Lab, developed within the PHAROS project framework, officially launches through a four-day programme of activities, activating the island as a living space for collaboration, experimentation, and real-world implementation.
This milestone marks the kickoff of a long-term Living Lab process, where local stakeholders, European initiatives, and the community come together to co-develop solutions addressing marine pollution, sustainable tourism, water management, and circular economy practices.
A programme combining education, action, and participation
The four-day agenda unfolds across the Vlychada Fishing Shelter, bringing together schools, citizens, professionals, and institutions through a diverse set of activities.
On Thursday 14 and Friday 15 May (09:00–13:00), the programme focuses on educational and experiential activities for schools, including:

hands-on workshops on marine protection and ocean literacy
upcycling activities and creative reuse of materials
interactive sessions through the Technology Van
activities at Marine Litter Collection Stations
awareness sessions on Posidonia seagrass ecosystems
trash art workshops

These sessions are co-organised by Impact Hub Athens, Aegean Rebreath, Municipality of Thira, Thira Municipal Port Fund, SYN FAB LAB, and the Blue Municipalities Network, and aim to embed environmental awareness through participation and practice.
Official kickoff: Friday 15 May
The official launch of the Santorini Blue Loop Living Lab will take place on Friday 15 May, 17:00–19:30, bringing together local authorities, businesses, fishers, the educational community, and active citizens.
This opening event serves as a platform for dialogue and co-creation, presenting:

the vision and structure of the Living Lab
the partnerships and European initiatives supporting it
thematic discussions on marine protection, blue economy, water management, and sustainable tourism

Participants will engage in a first round of co-design discussions, setting the basis for future actions and collaborations on the island. The session is open to all interested stakeholders, with prior registration required.
From awareness to action: community engagement in practice
On Saturday 16 May (09:30–13:30), the programme opens to the wider public with beach clean-ups and participatory activities, inviting people of all ages to take part in coastal restoration efforts and hands-on sustainability practices.
At the same time, Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 May (08:00–20:00) will feature underwater clean-up operations at the Vlychada Fishing Shelter, carried out by divers in collaboration with Aegean Rebreath, the Thira Municipal Port Fund, and local fishers. These actions highlight the importance of tackling marine litter both above and below the surface.
A starting point for long-term impact
Rather than a standalone event, this four-day programme represents the operational launch of the Santorini Blue Loop Living Lab, demonstrating how solutions can be tested in real conditions, with active community involvement.
By combining education, environmental action, stakeholder engagement, and innovation, the Living Lab establishes a foundation for a long-term transition process—one that positions Santorini as a model for circular, resilient, and community-driven island development.
More information for participants in Greece can be found on the Impact Hub’s website: https://athens.impacthub.net/santorini-blue-loop-living-lab/
The event will take place in person.

PHAROS Plastic Fantastic Hackathon Days (18–19 May 2026)
2026-05-18 - 2026-05-19
The Plastic Fantastic Hackathon Days is an online innovation challenge where teams come together to design actionable solutions for the detection, collection, prevention, and valorisation of marine litter.
Let’s design and develop solutions to pollution.
The contamination of oceans, seas, and coastal ecosystems by plastics, chemicals, waste, and other human-derived debris is threatening ecosystems and biodiversity, human health, and the sustainability of marine resources.
PHAROS is seeking solutions that address this challenge through:
Detection and monitoring
Methods and tools to identify, track, and assess marine litter sources, distribution, and impacts.
Collection and valorisation
Efficient systems to remove marine litter and transform recovered materials into valuable resources through reuse, recycling, or upcycling.
Reduction and prevention
Strategies, products, and policies that prevent marine litter at its source and reduce its generation across value chains.

AGENDA

18 May | 14:15 – 15:15 CET
Panel Discussion: Funding the Blue Economy
Moderator: Andrei Geica (Sporos Platform)
Speakers: Ruth Andrade (LUSH), Patricia Puig (Oceanomi), Ines Mas de la Peña
(Climate KIC)
Scope: Funding strategies, investment perspectives, and pathways to scale blue economy solutions.
Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/98088735518

19 May | 17:00 CET
Keynote Speech
Speaker: Andreea Strachinescu (CINEA)
Scope: Insights on EU priorities, funding frameworks, and opportunities in the blue economy.
Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/94100596362
19 May | 17:30 – 19:15 CET
Hackathon Pitching Session
Participants: 12 finalist teams
Scope: Final pitching session where selected teams present their solutions to the jury and winners are selected.
Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/94100596362

We also invite you to discover more about the Experts, Mentors, and Jury members of the Hackathon here.
You can explore the complete agenda of all Bootcamp and Hackathon days here.

The Hackathon is part of PHAROS, an EU-funded project that aims to provide nature-based solutions for restoring ecosystems and biodiversity while addressing climate change and human impacts in the Atlantic and Arctic maritime regions.

Blue Transition Policy
2026-05-19 13:00 - 17:00 (Europe/Helsinki) | Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
Brussels will host the Blue Transition event, bringing together policymakers, experts, and practitioners to explore innovative water solutions for a climate‑resilient North Sea region.
Organised by the Flanders Environment Agency and the Interreg North Sea Programme, the event marks the culmination of 3.5 years of project work and more than a decade of collaboration on sustainable water management.
The programme will spotlight practical approaches to safeguarding water resources while supporting agriculture, restoring peatlands and wetlands, improving soil health, and strengthening regional climate adaptation.
Key themes include groundwater management, water storage, water abstraction, SaveWater strategies, and resilience planning.
Participants will gain insights into tested solutions and recommendations that can guide future policy and investment across the North Sea region. The event also offers opportunities for exchange with partners working at the forefront of water and climate challenges.
Further details, including agenda and registration, will be shared through the Interreg North Sea communication channels.

European Maritime Day, Limassol 21-22 May 2026
2026-05-21 09:00 - 2026-05-22 18:00 (Europe/Helsinki) | Limassol, Cyprus, Cyprus
European Maritime Day 2026 will take place in Limassol, Cyprus on the 21-22 May 2026 as an in-person event with plenary sessions live streamed.
The EMD is the occasion to pay tribute to “maritime Europe” and put all maritime sectors and activities in the spotlight to help European citizens realise the real outreach and variety of sea-related activities going on in Europe and provoke reflection on the crucial role the seas play in our everyday life.
It is the annual event during which Europe’s maritime community meet to network, discuss and outline joint action on maritime affairs and sustainable blue economy.
The EMD is also the place where ‘Ocean Leaders Meet’. It provides an engaging and interactive experience to catch up on the current state of play on a broad range of issues concerning the blue economy and the marine environment and to discuss ways of moving forward. It features inspirational speakers, thematic sessions, stakeholder workshops, exhibition and lots of networking opportunities. The EMD targets professionals from businesses, governments, public institutions, NGOs and academia as well as EU citizens interested in the sea.
The EMD2026 is organised by the European Commission, the Shipping Deputy Ministry of the Republic of Cyprus and the Limassol Municipality.

Pharos MarCoLab Ireland Mega Event
2026-05-26 - 2026-05-28
Living Lab in Kerry & Cork, 26–28 May 2026
MarCoLab Ireland invites you to the second PHAROS Mega Event, an exciting three-day event from 26 to 28 May 2026 in South-West Ireland (Kerry and West Cork).
Join the Atlantic and Arctic Lighthouse community to promote marine restoration, ocean literacy, and the blue economy in Ireland.
Participants will gather from 26–28 May in Kerry and Cork for the Mega Event Ireland, uniting government, researchers, innovators, educators, businesses, investors, and local communities to launch two Living Labs. Together, we’ll tackle marine restoration challenges through citizen engagement, school programmes, and innovative demonstrations. Highlights include the MINKA Living Lab launch, “Waste to Worth” 3D printing, fisher-led initiatives, a Blue Schools webinar, a STEM building tour, an art exhibition, and a visit to Bantry Marine Research Station’s kelp farm.
MarCoLab Ireland is a blue economy innovation space whose name sums up its mission: Mar as the ocean, Co as collaboration, cooperation, and co-creation, and Lab as a living lab. The word MarCo within its name explicitly refers to a framework—a shared structure where, through the quadruple helix, innovation and awareness around nature-based solutions are fostered to balance the economy and environmental protection.

Agenda
Tuesday, 26 May 2026
The first day kicks off at MTU Kerry’s new STEM Building with registration, the Opening Ceremony, and a PHAROS project overview. Key sessions include “Waste to Worth” showcasing 3D printing from marine waste, and “Fisher Guardians” on transforming fishing gear.
After a tour of the €20 million facility, we transfer to Maharees to launch the MINKA Living Lab with local conservation volunteers. The day concludes with “Pint of Science” and a Local Seafood Demo, where marine science meets culinary delight.
Wednesday, 27 May 2026
Day 2 opens with a marine art exhibition and Living Lab video launch, followed by a panel discussion on enhancing the Living Lab. Local schools share their conservation work and seek expert advice. After lunch, the PHAROS Futures networking event connects partners to maximise project impact.
In the afternoon, join an optional visit to Fenit’s native oyster beds—Europe’s last—by Greenway cycle or bus. The day ends with a social dinner and traditional Irish music session. A perfect blend of culture, community, and collaboration.
Thursday, 28 May 2026
The final day takes us to scenic Bantry Bay, County Cork, hosted at the Bantry Marine Research Station. Led by Dr Julie Maguire, we’ll tour the PHAROS demo site featuring an innovative kelp farm cultivating winged and sugar kelp. Learn how this nature-based solution monitors ecosystem restoration alongside a nearby salmon farm.
It’s a hands-on look at cutting-edge aquaculture research in one of Ireland’s most stunning coastal settings—a fitting close to three days of collaboration and discovery.
Link: https://pharosproject.eu/pharos-news/pharos-marcolab-ireland-mega-event-living-lab-in-kerry-cork-26-28-may-2026/

European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) 2026
2026-06-09 09:30 - 2026-06-11 19:30 (Europe/Helsinki) | Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
The 20th edition of European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) will take place on 9-11 June 2026 in Brussels and online, under the overarching theme of ‘A clean, secure and competitive Energy Union’.
The European Sustainable Energy Week is the biggest annual event dedicated to renewables and efficient energy use in Europe, and it features a 3-day Policy Conference, the EUSEW Awards ceremony, as well as networking opportunities at the Energy Fair, celebrating the people, projects, and initiatives advancing Europe’s transition to clean and sustainable energy.  During the conference, youth voices are put forward through the Young Energy Ambassadors and the European Youth Energy Day. Last but not least, the Sustainable Energy Days give visibility to and foster clean energy solutions in the EU and around the world, from March to June 2026.

15th International Seaweed Conference EU
2026-06-16 - 2026-06-18 | Gothenburg, Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel Gothenburg Södra Hamngatan 59, 401 24 Göteborg, Sweden, Sweden
Seagriculture EU 2026 will gather top speakers, who will share their know-how within seaweed for feed, food, offshore cultivation, biorefinery of seaweed, and much more.
The Seagriculture conference has built up a solid reputation as the leading conference for the seaweed industry, the Seagriculture conference in Europe has been successfully organized since 2012. The 14th edition of this seaweed event took place in Rotterdam, The Netherlands with more than 200 delegates from 26 countries.
Why participate in the Seagriculture conferences?
Seaweed cultivation in Europe is showing promise in terms of growth, however challenges in regulations, cost, and market viability could affect the pace of this growth in the future.
The Seagriculture conferences focus on addressing those challenges in the seaweed industry, fostering collaboration among various stakeholders, and emphasizing the importance of sustainable practices, innovation, research, and regulatory adaptability for long-term success.
The demand for edible seaweeds (or marine algae) is increasing in Europe. Seaweed (macroalgae) grows in a variety of forms and colours in the ocean as well as in freshwater environments. Its biochemical composition and properties make seaweed a valuable material, and its range of applications is growing as current R&D technologies are refined and new discoveries are made. They include food products for humans, animal feed, cosmetics, bio-based chemicals for various industries, fertilisers, biofuel, and high-quality building insulation, among others.

EU Macro Regional & Sea Basin Strategies Days 2026
2026-07-01 09:00 - 2026-07-02 18:00 (Europe/Helsinki) | Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
The Macro‑regional & Sea Basin Strategies Days 2026 will gather all eight EU macro‑regional and sea basin strategies, Alpine, Danube, Adriatic‑Ionian, Baltic Sea, Atlantic, Western Mediterranean, Black Sea and Greater North Sea for a two‑day high‑level event in Brussels.
Co‑organised by DG REGIO and DG MARE, the event serves as the annual strategic platform for cooperation across borders, governance levels and policy domains.
Strategic Context
The 2026 edition takes place at a pivotal moment for the EU, shaped by:

Early orientations of the new European Commission
Initial signals from negotiations on the post‑2027 Cohesion Policy and Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF)
Heightened focus on security, resilience, competitiveness, enlargement, and place‑based delivery
Persistent geopolitical instability, climate pressures and socio‑economic transformation

Macro‑regional and sea basin strategies, flexible, multi‑sectoral and cooperative by design, are well positioned to respond to these evolving priorities
Key Themes for 2026
Building on the 2025 edition, the event will explore how the strategies can:

Strengthen their positioning in the post‑2027 landscape
Enhance governance, visibility and embedding into EU/national funding frameworks
Move from coordination toward collective delivery
Align with emerging EU policy directions and instruments
Support territories, citizens and stakeholders through cross‑border cooperation

The event provides space to take stock of ongoing developments and anticipate future opportunities.

Objectives
The 2026 Strategies Days aim to:

Reflect on the new Commission’s priorities and their implications
Clarify the strategies’ contribution to future EU delivery frameworks
Facilitate exchange among strategies, EU institutions, national/regional authorities, stakeholders and civil society
Build on practical recommendations from the 2025 edition, particularly on governance, visibility, embedding and joint action

Nor-Fishing Exhibition 2026
2026-08-18 - 2026-08-20 | Trondheim, Norway
Since 1960, Nor-Fishing has been an important national and international meeting place for the fisheries industry. Today it is one of the largest fisheries technology exhibitions in the world. In recent years, the exhibition has drawn around 15 000 visitors from more than 50 countries. Innovations of importance to all sectors of the industry are presented here.
The fisheries industry has developed tremendously over the past fifty years, and technology, processes and services related to fishing, processing, transport and marketing have undergone an incredible development. All the major fishing nations are present either as exhibitors, visitors or in official delegations.
