Until 16 December

The partnership proposal "A climate neutral, sustainable and productive Blue Economy" has been released and is now available for public consultation as part of the strategic planning process for the new European Union framework programme to support research & innovation (R&I) - Horizon Europe 2021-2027. This should be a partnership co-financed through a joint programme and a formal commitment between the partners involved (ministries of R&I and national funding agencies).

This proposal is the result of a collaborative process involving a drafting team led by JPI Oceans and national representatives from Ireland and France, based on contributions received from Member States/Associated Countries and experts. This document, developed in close collaboration with the European Commission's Directorate General for R&I, will have as its main objective to form a core group that will include ministries of R&I and funding agencies from participating countries.

This partnership follows a request from the European Commission in 2019 to submit more proposals as part of the strategic planning process for Horizon Europe. This has led to a portfolio of 49 European partnerships, including Blue Economy, planned for inclusion in Horizon Europe's 2021-2022 Work Programme.

This proposal aims to reduce the fragmentation of the sector by seeking to combine and align existing activities and efforts with pan-European, regional and national investments, considering the socio-political priorities identified for R&I. Its endorsement could mean a high return on public investment in R&I through the promotion of sustainable economic development.

The Blue Economy partnership proposal is available for public discussion and all interested parties can submit their contribution by 16 December 2020, helping to shape the Strategic R&I Agenda (SRIA). The collaboration of stakeholders will be analysed by the team and considered during the review of the proposal, and a public report will be made available at the end of the review to compile all the contributions received.

Consult the partnership proposal – “Partnership for a climate neutral, sustainable and productive Blue Economy” here