Blue Growth

Call summary

The Blue Growth Call aims at sustainably harvesting the potential of resources from seas, oceans and inland waters for different uses and across the range of marine and maritime industries, while protecting biodiversity and enhancing climate resilience. It supports sustainable growth in the marine and maritime sectors through a responsible management of marine resources for healthy, productive, safe, secure and resilient seas and oceans, which are essential for thriving ecosystems, climate regulation, global food security, human health, livelihoods and economies.

This call will boost the blue economy by: i) Improving our integrated knowledge about the reciprocal impact of climate change on marine ecosystems and biological resources in order to effectively manage their response, mitigation and resilience capacities; ii) Preserving and sustainably exploiting marine and coastal ecosystems, and biological resources to deliver improved nutrition and health; iii) De-risking major investments and boosting blue innovations on land and at sea to develop new bio-based marine value chains and open up new markets; iv) Developing smart and connected territories between land and sea; and v) Strengthening the international research and innovation cooperation around seas and oceans, to promote a globally sustainable blue economy.

Activities shall improve ocean observations - in support of the G7 Future of the Seas and Oceans Initiative - to better predict and mitigate the impact of stressors and changes (including sea-level rise), and the exploration of marine resources, including enhancing the access and management of data and services ("blue cloud"). They will tap into the potential of marine resources, including plankton and microbiomes, and aquatic production systems, from fisheries to aquaculture[[In this context, 'aquaculture' comprises the farming of aquatic organisms (including fish, shellfish, algae and aquatic plants) in all types of controlled or natural water environments (freshwater, brackish and seawater).]], for better food and nutrition security, health and bio-based products as well as climate change mitigation. Major international cooperation activities will also be launched, focusing on the South Atlantic Ocean and paving the way towards an 'All Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance' [[Belém Statement on Atlantic Research and Innovation Cooperation, Commission Decision C(2017)3551/F1, full reference to be introduced upon Council approval in mid July 2017.]], and reinforcing cooperation with partners in other regions such as the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. All Blue Growth actions shall also contribute to improving science education and ocean literacy through dissemination, outreach and training activities.

A strategic coordinated approach for marine and maritime research across all parts of Horizon 2020 will support the implementation of relevant EU policies to help deliver key Blue Growth objectives across Europe, including the EU Outermost Regions. This will also involve relevant topics from other parts of Horizon 2020 in addition to Societal Challenge 2, which will be interlinked through a Blue Growth topics flagging system.

The Blue Growth Call is intended to deliver on a series of EU policies[[Including the EU Bioeconomy Strategy, 2030 Climate and Energy Framework, Circular Economy Package, Common Fisheries Policy, Integrated Maritime Policy, Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Maritime Spatial Planning Directive, Blue Growth Strategy, and the International Ocean Governance: an agenda for the future of our oceans.]] and international commitments such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and it also contributes to the following Focus Areas: 'Building a low-carbon, climate resilient future', 'Digitising and transforming European industry and services' and 'Connecting economic and environmental gains – the Circular Economy'.

The actions are expected to support Europe's endeavours to implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular in particular SDG 2 'Zero hunger', SDG 13 'Climate action' and SDG 14 'Life below water'.