The Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership (SBEP) has launched the first Call for Expressions of Interest for its Regional Portfolios of Projects, an initiative designed to strengthen collaboration among research and innovation (R&I) projects across Europe's sea basins.
As part of the Partnership's additional activities, the Regional Portfolios of Projects will run from early 2027 until early 2029, with one portfolio established for each European sea basin. The initiative aims to foster networking, knowledge and data sharing among R&I projects at sea-basin level, promote the co-creation of common outputs, strengthen collaboration with regional stakeholders, and enhance synergies while avoiding duplication of efforts.
It is important to note that the Regional Portfolio Action is not a funding scheme. Instead, it is a non-funded clustering and networking initiative that brings together ongoing projects to increase collaboration and maximise the impact of their results.
Who can apply?
The Regional Portfolios are open not only to projects co-funded by the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership, but also to eligible projects funded through European, national and regional programmes. This approach will enable projects supported under different funding instruments to collaborate around common regional priorities and challenges.
Benefits of participating
Projects selected to join the Regional Portfolios will benefit from:
increased visibility at regional and international level;
networking opportunities with researchers, policymakers, industry and other quadruple-helix stakeholders;
identification of new collaboration opportunities;
co-design of market uptake plans;
direct interaction with European Commission experts;
participation in Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership events; and
enhanced international visibility and career development opportunities, particularly for early-career researchers.
The initiative also aims to facilitate the transfer of project results into policymaking processes and strengthen cooperation with key regional stakeholders.
First call focuses on the Black Sea
The first Call for Expressions of Interest, launched on 29 July 2026, covers the Atlantic Ocean and the Black Sea Regional Portfolios. Applications will remain open until 28 October 2026. The thematic focus of the Black Sea Regional Portfolio is "Addressing Knowledge Gaps in the Black Sea: Information, Data Exchange and Good Practices in the Context of Climate Change."
The portfolio aims to bring together projects that contribute to addressing knowledge gaps related to climate change in the Black Sea through improved information exchange, data sharing and dissemination of good practices.
Second wave of calls: The second Call for Expressions of Interest is expected to be launched on 9 September 2026 and will cover the Baltic Sea, North Sea and Mediterranean Sea Regional Portfolios. The deadline for applications is 9 December 2026.
Information webinar: An online information webinar will be organised by the SBEP Secretariat on 7 October 2026, from 13:00 to 14:30 CEST. The webinar will introduce all five Regional Portfolios, provide practical information on the application process and offer participants the opportunity to ask questions regarding the calls.
Applications should be submitted through the online application form that will be made available on the SBEP website. Further information and the full Call for Expressions of Interest are available on the SBEP website;
https://www.bluepartnership.eu/news/regional-portfolio-calls-interest-first-wave-here