20 multinational projects will receive over €117 million to contribute to the objectives of the EU Mission ‘Restore our Ocean and waters’: protect and restore biodiversity, cut pollution, support a sustainable blue economy. The projects gather 297 partners from 39 countries, including most of the EU Member States. A full overview of the projects can be found on our website. The funding comes from Horizon Europe, the EU’s programme for research and innovation.

Some of these projects will be showcased at the 1st annual Mission Forum which takes place in Brussels today. The Forum gathers the community of stakeholders involved in the Mission, with representatives of EU institutions, national and regional public authorities, organisations, SMEs and more. It will take stock of the first year of implementation of the Mission and presents inspiring initiatives and projects. It will also celebrate reaching a new milestone: more than 200 actions pledged in support of the Mission Charter that will contribute to the successful implementation of the Mission.

Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, stated:

More than 200 actions, from cities to regions, from universities to NGOs, from research institutes to foundations, have been pledged to contribute to the objectives of our Mission ‘Restore our Ocean and Waters’. Today, I renew our invitation to everyone to be part of the four Lighthouse communities, across all EU seas, oceans, and main river basins!

Virginijus Sinkevičius, Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, said:

This Mission is more than timely or relevant. This Mission is urgent. Preserving and restoring the health of our ocean and waters is about preserving our life and all life on this planet. It is by joining our efforts that we will regenerate marine habitats, bring back fish populations, and make our blue economy more sustainable. Thanks to EU-funded projects, research, citizen activism and the growing number of organisations, we are on our way to achieving this critical Mission.