Mission Ocean and Waters September Newsletter is here.
8/09/2026
Mission Ocean and Waters Newsletter
Latest news, events, and information on Mission Ocean and Waters
EU_MARE | Horizon Europe
Shaping the future of our ocean and waters
The future of ocean clean-up
An estimated 626 million floating items, equivalent to around 3,382 tonnes of waste, accumulate in European seas every year. Single-use plastics and fishery-related items account for 67% to over 80% of beach and coastal litter.
As World Cleanup Day on 20 September approaches – with the #EUBeachCleanup campaign at the forefront the global movement – this newsletter highlights some of the most promising future-ready solutions under Mission Ocean and Waters to tackle this pressing challenge.
Let’s discover some of them.
NETTAG+ project enables the recovery of lost fishing gear using robotic tools that detect acoustic tags attached to the equipment. SeaClear 2.0 deploys underwater robots capable of lifting seabed waste weighing up to 250 kilograms. CAPTOPLASTIC focuses on monitoring and removing microplastics from water flows. For more innovations ready for uptake, consult the booklet Scaling for Impact: Developing a Growth Blueprint for Mission Ocean and Waters Solutions.
These and other innovative solutions will also be showcased at the Mission Ocean and Waters Matchmaking Workshop on 9 September, bringing together stakeholders to exchange knowledge, explore practical applications and build new partnerships.
Practical tools, methods and lessons for uptake by MPA managers and authorities will be the focus of the EU Blue Parks Community’s next workshop – save the date for 16 November. Further developments on the Mission Charter are also covered in this issue.
This newsletter brings you the latest funding opportunities, news and events from the Mission. Discover even more updates and insights on the Mission Service Portal.
Focus on Mission Solutions
Spotlight on Mission Solution: SeaClear 2.0
How can robots help tackle marine litter? Discover SeaClear 2.0, an innovative AI-powered system cleaning up waste from the sea surface and seabed.
Curious to connect with the EDITO user community? The EDITO Projects Forum brings together initiatives from across Europe to collaborate, exchange knowledge, and contribute to the European Digital Twin Ocean.
The Mission Ocean and Waters SUNDANSE project has launched its Open Call 2 to support local and regional authorities working on freshwater restoration and sediment management. Selected applicants can receive up to €100,000, alongside practical support and access to SUNDANSE tools and expertise, to test and adapt sediment-related solutions in their local or regional context. Deadline: 30 September 2026.
The Mission Ocean and Waters SOS2LearnDBS project is preparing an upcoming funding call to support Transition Agendas supporting restoration, protection and sustainable management of aquatic ecosystems in the Danube River Basin and Black Sea region. The call will fund the development of strategic roadmaps helping communities work towards long-term environmental Mission Ocean and Waters objectives.
The Interreg Euro-MED Programme will open its 7th call for projects under the Mediterranean Multiprogramme Mechanism, supporting cooperation on sustainable tourism across the Mediterranean. Projects must be aligned with Priority 1: A Smarter Mediterranean or Priority 2: A Greener Mediterranean, under the Sustainable Tourism mission only. Proposals should focus on the valorisation and transfer of existing outputs, rather than the development of entirely new ones. Deadline: 30 September 2026
Biodiversa+ will launch a transnational joint research call entitled ‘Novel ecosystems: biodiversity, socio-ecological consequences and future trajectories’. The knowledge generated through is expected to result in actions to sustain resilient, interconnected, diverse and ecologically functioning ecosystems, including freshwater, marine and coastal areas. Pre-proposal submission deadline: early November 2026
Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership’s Fourth Joint Transnational Call
The Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership is preparing to launch their fourth joint transnational call. It will support research and innovation projects across four priority areas, including sustainable and strategically autonomous blue-economy sectors, digital and ecosystem-based sea-use management, sustainable marine bioresources, and resilient coastal communities. Pre-proposal submission deadline: 16 November 2026
