Strengthening blue economy investment at the European Maritime Day 2026

The AIR Centre took part in this year’s European Maritime Day and engaged in discussions on the future of ocean funding and the role of collaborative European initiatives in shaping a sustainable blue economy.

The workshop Ocean Funding under the Next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), organised by the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership (SBEP) and held on the second day of the event, highlighted the funding required to meet the ambitions of the EU Ocean Pact and explored how Europe can better align funding instruments to support ocean research, innovation and sustainable development.

Building on its work on blue finance and its dashboard designed to streamline ocean funding opportunities, SBEP engaged the community in a timely discussion on future funding priorities and actionable pathways to strengthen investment in the blue economy. From fundamental questions such as “Why do we need a blue Multiannual Financial Framework?” to forward-looking recommendations, the panel focused on translating ambition into concrete outcomes for a blue MFF.

Adriano Lima, researcher in the AIR Centre’s Biodiversity and Blue Economy Programme and member of the SBEP Funding Synergies team, co‑moderated the workshop.

As a cooperation instrument uniting 34 countries and the European Commission, SBEP plays a key role in aligning ocean priorities across the Baltic, Black, Mediterranean and North Seas, as well as the Atlantic Ocean communities.

[AL, 1 June 2026]