Ready to take action to restore our oceans and waters? The Horizon Europe 2025 Programme has launched eight calls under the Mission Restore our Oceans and Waters to power innovation, protect biodiversity, eliminate pollution, and accelerate the shift to a circular, carbon-neutral blue economy. Up to 18 projects are expected to be funded from a budget of EUR 120 million.
These calls cover a wide range of priorities—from digital innovation and marine litter reduction to ecosystem restoration and sustainable blue economy practices. Topics include the creation of Blue Parks, restoration efforts on islands, in regions, and waterfront cities, the modernisation of fisheries and aquaculture through digital and low-impact technologies, coordination and support for the Mission Lighthouses, and contributions to the development of the EU Digital Twin Ocean.
The deadline for proposal submission is 24 September 2025 (17:00 CEST).
Find out more about the calls: the links below take you to the EU Funding and Tenders Portal pages with detailed information.
Blue Parks (HORIZON-MISS-2025-03-OCEAN-01): establishing a coherent European network of strictly protected Blue Parks. The call supports research and innovation aimed at restoring marine biodiversity and ecosystem health.
Marine Litter Toolbox for Public Authorities (HORIZON-MISS-2025-03-OCEAN-02): developing a comprehensive toolbox to support public authorities in tackling plastic pollution and marine litter from rivers to the ocean.
Digital technologies and energy transition in fisheries and aquaculture (HORIZON-MISS-2025-03-OCEAN-03): advancing the use of digital technologies and energy-efficient solutions in fisheries and/or aquaculture.
Restoring Oceans and Waters in Regions (HORIZON-MISS-2025-03-OCEAN-04): enabling large-scale, place-based restoration of coastal and freshwater ecosystems in European regions.
Restoring Oceans and Waters in Waterfront Cities and their Ports (HORIZON-MISS-2025-03-OCEAN-05): restoring ocean and water ecosystems in waterfront cities and their ports, with an emphasis on urban resilience, pollution reduction, and circular blue economy solutions.
Restoring Oceans and Waters in Islands (HORIZON-MISS-2025-03-OCEAN-06): restoring ocean and water ecosystems in island communities, emphasising biodiversity protection, pollution prevention, and fostering a sustainable, circular blue economy.
Lighthouses Coordination and Support (HORIZON-MISS-2025-03-OCEAN-07): coordinating and supporting the Mission Lighthouse areas to accelerate the restoration of ocean and water ecosystems.
EU Digital Twin Ocean (HORIZON-MISS-2025-03-OCEAN-08): developing and implementing the EU Digital Twin Ocean.
For additional context and details on these calls, please refer to the Horizon Europe Missions 2025 Work Programme. Five calls for other actions to support Mission Ocean and Waters, including public procurement for communication actions and events, and a study to provide evidence for EU actions on wetlands, are also detailed in the Work Programme.