European Maritime Day 2024: leading progress on the sustainable blue economy

On 30-31 May, the European Maritime Day (EMD) attracted more than 1,100 maritime stakeholders in Svendborg (Denmark). EMD is the European flagship event to discuss the latest developments in the blue economy and the marine environment. Participants could attend dozens of thematic sessions, workshops, pitching sessions, the European Blue Forum Annual meeting, the EU4Ocean Awards Ceremony, the exhibition and more.

The role of European funding for climate neutrality and a sustainable blue economy

Several sessions were organised by the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE) of the European Commission and the European Executive Agency for Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA).

CINEA Director Paloma Aba Garrote spoke in a session about Mission Ocean and Mission Cities, as well as in the European Blue Forum Annual meeting. She highlighted the concrete support of the EU funding programmes managed by CINEA to European coastal cities in their journey towards climate neutrality. 

She also presented CINEA’s actions for Research, Innovation & Development of new technologies to make the Blue Economy more sustainable.

“We are confronted with challenges that are global, but frequently require a local response. Climate change is a typical case, where mitigation can be effectively addressed only globally, while adaptation takes place at local level. And indeed, cities have a key role to play.”

 

“The various programmes managed by CINEA contribute to gathering more knowledge of our seas and oceans. We support research and the development of expertise, to understand the impact of our activities at sea. They also help to raise awareness about the need to make our activities more sustainable and to better protect marine life.”

Celebrating 10 years of the European Maritime Fisheries (and Aquaculture) Fund 

CINEA Director Paloma Aba Garrote and DG MARE Director-General Charlina Vitcheva also celebrated the 10^th Anniversary of the European Maritime, Fisheries (and Aquaculture) Fund. More than 60 EMFAF stakeholders joined them at the EU Stand to toast to the impressive results achieved in 10 years by the direct management of the Fund, building a thriving Blue Economy community and a prosperous future.

Showcasing European excellence

At the European Stand visitors were able to learn more about the European funding opportunities and initiatives in the blue economy managed by CINEA. The stand also hosted sixteen project beneficiaries that are making a difference in energy transition, sustainable blue economy, marine protection, blue careers, green transport, fisheries and more. They organised games, presentations, quizzes, fish and algae tasting to present their inspiring results.

The projects were funded under EMFAF, CEF Transport, CEF Energy, Horizon Europe, Mission Ocean, Innovation Fund and LIFE Programme.

CINEA organised a stakeholder workshop on “Synergies by design: Promoting cooperation to accelerate the energy transition in fisheries and aquaculture”. The workshop shared examples of EU funded projects from the CINEA portfolio. It also promoted dialogue between stakeholders on reducing emissions and improving energy and environmental performance in maritime transport and infrastructure. See the presentations here.

CINEA also held a pitch session to show the preliminary findings of the “Fishers of the Future” study, an EU-wide participatory project examining the future role of fishers in society up to 2050.

During “Greening of the Maritime Sector: Project examples from CINEA managed programmes in Denmark”, CINEA presented different financing possibilities for maritime stakeholders and showcased project examples implemented in Denmark or with the support of Danish beneficiaries. See the presentations here.

Finally, CINEA discussed Innovative ideas for Blue Careers for a sustainable blue economy with four projects financed under the EMFAF 2023 Blue Careers call. The pitch session emphasised collaborative efforts between industries and education/VET providers to create a comprehensive system for the development of both hard and soft skills. See the presentations here.