The Commission aims to strengthen water resilience and ocean protection in Europe

The European Commission has launched two calls for data to help shape the future European Research and Innovation Strategy (R&I) on the ocean and water, a flagship initiative under the EU Water Resilience Strategy and the European Pact for the Ocean. This future R&I Strategy aims to strengthen Europe’s leadership in research, innovation and technology related to the oceans and water, whilst bolstering competitiveness, resilience and strategic autonomy.

The call for data for the European Research and Innovation (R&I) Strategy on the Ocean focuses on marine research and innovation priorities, including the protection and restoration of marine ecosystems, ocean observation and the development of a sustainable blue economy. In parallel, the call for proposals under the R&I Strategy on Water Resilience addresses the management of freshwater systems, water efficiency and reuse, and innovative solutions for sustainable water management.

Both calls will support the development of a ‘from spring to sea’ approach, a way of protecting water from its source (such as a mountain spring or rainfall) to the ocean. By considering rivers, groundwater, lakes, coastal areas and seas as a single interconnected system, we can better tackle common problems — such as pollution or flooding — rather than addressing them in isolation. Comments and contributions in response to these consultations will guide future EU investment in R&D, in particular under the Horizon Europe research programme (2028–2034, with a budget of several billion euros) and the European Competitiveness Fund.

Contributions will also help to improve coordination between regional, national and EU programmes, strengthen ocean and water monitoring and forecasting systems, and accelerate the deployment and market uptake of innovative solutions and technologies.

More information: European Commission