The BIOProtect project aims to co-develop and demonstrate ecosystem-based solutions to enhance the protection and restoration of biodiversity in marine and coastal ecosystems. Central to its efforts is the creation of an Area-Based Management Decision Support Framework (ABM-DSF) to support ecosystem-based maritime spatial planning (EB-MSP). This framework integrates governance recommendations, stakeholder engagement processes, advanced biodiversity monitoring, risk assessment, and capacity building to address multiple human-induced pressures and foster sustainable marine ecosystem management.

Budget: €8 million
Coordinator: Matís
Start Date: May 2024
End Date: April 2028
Funding Programme: Horizon Europe Innovation Program (HORIZON-MISS-2023-OCEAN-01-03, Horizon Innovation Actions – IA)

The Blue4All project redefines marine conservation by creating inclusive and stakeholder-centred Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). Through collaboration across 25 sites, including 14 Living Labs and 11 Information Sites in European and Brazilian waters, it develops a Blueprint Platform to ensure effective, efficient, and resilient MPAs. This initiative supports the EU Biodiversity Strategy and focuses on co-management solutions for thriving marine ecosystems and communities.

Budget: € 8,018,806.25
Coordinator: INSTITUT ROYAL DES SCIENCES NATURELLES DE BELGIQUE
Start Date: January 2023
End Date: December 2026
Funding Programme: Horizon Europe Mission Ocean (Food, Bioeconomy Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment)

ProBleu aims to boost Ocean and Water Literacy beyond the classroom by supporting the Network of European Blue Schools (NEBS) and connecting schools with key scientific disciplines for sustainable and equitable exploitation of ocean and water resources. ProBleu’s heart lies within the European Union’s “Restore our Oceans and Waters” Mission, which focuses on revitalising aquatic ecosystems, including seas, oceans, and freshwater bodies, through research, innovation, and active citizen involvement. In particular, ProBleu aligns with the Mission’s goals to preserve marine and freshwater ecosystems, combat pollution, and protect biodiversity.

Coordinator: CSIC (Spanish National Research Council)

OCEAN CITIZEN aims to restore marine biodiversity and ecosystems through scalable, nature-based solutions and community engagement. By regenerating Marine Forests (MFs) and enhancing carbon sequestration, it develops replicable restoration protocols combining habitat, carbon immobilisation, and biodiversity recovery with societal and economic benefits. The project fosters an ocean-literate society and supports sustainable blue growth opportunities.

Budget: €11,182,938 (€10,608,915 EU contribution)
Coordinator: UGI (University of Granada, Spain)
Start Date: January 2023
End Date: December 2026
Funding Programme: Horizon Europe Mission Restore Our Ocean and Waters

The UNITED project demonstrated the viability of ocean multi-use by developing five pilots across European waters between 2020 and 2023. These pilots addressed installation bottlenecks, demonstrated business synergies, and proposed scalable, multi-use solutions. By integrating knowledge, technologies, and industrial actors, UNITED boosted Blue Economy capacity, improved operational cost-efficiency, and promoted sustainable, eco-friendly marine activities through inclusive resource sharing.

Budget: €9,822,668
Coordinator: Deltares
Start Date: June 2020
End Date: June 2023
Funding Programme: Horizon 2020

MINKA is a citizen science platform developed by CSIC to collect and share biodiversity and environmental data, promoting marine biodiversity and ecosystem health. It integrates ICT cloud services and stakeholder engagement to empower communities, enabling accurate data collection, validation, and accessibility for researchers and policymakers. By supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), MINKA fosters environmental sustainability, public engagement, and evidence-based decision-making for long-term impact.

Coordinator: CSIC (Spanish National Research Council)

BlueMissionAA serves as a coordination hub for implementing the EU Mission to restore ocean and water health in the Atlantic and Arctic basins. The project focuses on preserving and restoring marine ecosystems, developing monitoring frameworks, fostering innovation ecosystems, and empowering citizens to adopt sustainable practices. It bridges research, industry, and policy to scale solutions for climate resilience and a circular blue economy.

Budget: € 2,997,778.75
Coordinator: AIR Centre (Azores) ASSOCIACAO PARA O DESENVOLVIMENTO DO ATLANTIC INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH CENTRE
Start Date: November 1, 2022
End Date: October 31, 2025
Funding Programme: Horizon Europe Mission Restore Our Ocean and Waters