Restoring Ocean and Waters on Islands

The main goal of this opportunity is to help islands and their public authorities demonstrate and speed up the transition to healthier marine and freshwater environments. Projects should make clear progress in restoring ecosystems and biodiversity, reducing pollution, and developing a sustainable, circular blue economy. The focus is on testing and scaling up new solutions, involving citizens and stakeholders, and building resilience to climate change and sea-level rise. Activities must take place on at least six islands, with coverage in the Atlantic and Arctic, Mediterranean, and Baltic and North Sea basins. Eligible islands are located within the European Union, Associated Countries, or EU Outermost Regions.

• Projects must be place-based and focused on people living on islands.
• They must address all objectives and enabling factors of the Mission in each lighthouse region.
• Projects should use nature-based solutions and consider both land and sea interactions.
• Transboundary (cross-border) actions are encouraged.
• Projects should support the blue economy in a sustainable and eco-friendly way.
• Proposals must follow the required format and page limits as specified in the official guidelines.

Examples:

• A project restoring coastal wetlands and involving local communities on a Mediterranean island.
• An initiative deploying pollution prevention technology and nature-based shoreline protection on a North Sea island.
• A cross-border collaboration between two Atlantic islands to improve marine biodiversity and sustainable fisheries.

Personnel costs
Subcontracting
Travel and subsistence
Equipment (depreciation or rental)
Consumables and materials
Dissemination and communication
Access to research infrastructure
IPR and certification
Audit costs
Indirect costs (25% flat rate)
Internally invoiced services

€

• Budget for this Call: 13,500,000€
• Number of Grants attributed: 1
• Budget per grant: 13,500,000€

• Applicants must meet the requirements outlined in the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.
• Eligibility is open to entities from the European Union, Associated Countries, and the EU Outermost Regions.
• Some non-EU and non-Associated Countries may participate if they have made specific arrangements for Horizon Europe projects.
• Applicants should consult the official Programme Guide for country-specific eligibility.
• Proposals must follow the formatting and submission rules described in the relevant annexes.
• Eligibility may require forming networks or partnerships, especially for cross-border and multi-island activities.