Restoring Ocean and Waters in Regions

The EU is offering a grant opportunity under Horizon Europe titled "Restoring Ocean and Waters in Regions" (HORIZON-MISS-2025-03-OCEAN-04) as part of the Mission to restore oceans and waters by 2030. This initiative aims to engage regional authorities in the demonstration and execution of projects focused on the restoration of coastal and river ecosystems. Eligible applicants include research institutions, universities, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), public authorities, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), with a strong encouragement for regional authorities to participate in consortia that facilitate collaboration.

Funding will be provided in the form of grants under Innovation Actions (IA), covering up to 70% of project costs. The call emphasizes the necessity for consortium partnerships due to the collaborative nature of the projects, intended to promote knowledge transfer and regional coordination.

Geographically, funding is available for projects in EU member states and associated countries, including regions within the Atlantic, Arctic, Mediterranean, Baltic, North Sea basins, and the Danube River basin, prioritizing collaboration among stakeholders in these areas. The targeted sectors encompass environmental restoration, marine ecosystems, pollution prevention, and the promotion of a sustainable blue economy.

The specific funding amounts for projects vary slightly, with estimated contributions ranging from 1 million to over 22 million euros, depending on the project type and objectives. The initiative is structured as a single-stage application process with a deadline set for September 24, 2025. Co-funding of 30% is required, encouraging the pooling of resources with other funding mechanisms.

Expected outcomes include significant advancements in regional readiness to deploy innovative solutions, enhanced community resilience, and the successful implementation of strategies that combat pollution and foster biodiversity. The approach also integrates citizen engagement and ensures that solutions are sustainable beyond project completion. The overall goal is to drive measurable progress towards the Mission's objectives and facilitate the restoration of ecosystems throughout Europe’s coastal and riparian zones.

The EU's Horizon Europe program is offering funding opportunities in 2025 to support the "Restore our Ocean and Waters Mission." This initiative focuses on engaging regional authorities in demonstrating and accelerating transitions needed to achieve specific objectives related to coastal and riparian areas. The call, HORIZON-MISS-2025-03, includes various topics ranging from research and innovation actions (RIA) to innovation actions (IA) and coordination and support actions (CSA). The total budget allocated for these topics is substantial, aiming to drive significant progress in protecting and restoring marine and freshwater ecosystems, preventing pollution, and promoting a carbon-neutral and circular blue economy.

The call specifically encourages the participation of regional authorities as full partners in project consortia. Projects should involve relevant competent authorities, such as those responsible for river, water, and coastal management, to carry out restoration activities in coastal and riparian zones. These activities should span land, the land-sea continuum, and surface waters, contributing to the overall mission objectives.

Expected outcomes of funded projects include measurable progress towards the Mission's objectives, increased readiness of regional authorities to deploy innovative solutions, a greater number of authorities taking concrete restoration measures, enhanced resilience of coastal communities to climate events, and leveraged public and private investment in ecosystem restoration and pollution prevention.

The scope of the projects should encompass testing and demonstrating effective solutions for protecting and restoring ecosystems, preventing pollution, and promoting a sustainable blue economy. Demonstration activities are expected in at least eight regions, with representation in the Atlantic and Arctic Sea basin, Mediterranean Sea basin, Baltic and North Sea basin, and the Danube River basin, including the Black Sea. Projects should be place-based and people-centered, emphasizing nature-based solutions, land-sea interactions, and transboundary actions.

Projects are expected to assess economic, social, and ecological impacts, identify and adapt innovative solutions, encourage citizen and stakeholder involvement, develop innovative funding approaches, monitor the effectiveness of solutions, and facilitate synergies with other relevant programs. Sustainability of solutions beyond the project's duration is crucial, with projects supporting the implementation of River Basin Management Plans, Marine Strategy Framework Directive measures, and Nature Restoration Plans.

Collaboration among regional authorities is highly encouraged to maximize impact and facilitate replication of solutions. Synergies with other funding sources, such as ERDF and LIFE, are also encouraged through Cooperation Working Arrangements. Projects should build upon existing solutions from previous EU and national programs and establish links with related Horizon Mission projects.

Funded projects are expected to share experiences with projects under the EU Mission Climate Change Adaptation and include mechanisms for collaboration with Lighthouse CSAs and the Mission Implementation Platform.

The call includes eight specific topics with varying budgets and action types:

HORIZON-MISS-2025-03-OCEAN-01: HORIZON-RIA (Research and Innovation Actions) with a budget of EUR 5,000,000. Contributions range from EUR 4,000,000 to EUR 5,000,000, with one grant expected.

HORIZON-MISS-2025-03-OCEAN-02: HORIZON-IA (Innovation Actions) with a budget of EUR 22,000,000. Contributions range from EUR 4,500,000 to EUR 5,500,000, with four grants expected.

HORIZON-MISS-2025-03-OCEAN-03: HORIZON-IA (Innovation Actions) with a budget of EUR 23,300,000. Contributions range from EUR 5,000,000 to EUR 5,825,000, with four grants expected.

HORIZON-MISS-2025-03-OCEAN-04: HORIZON-IA (Innovation Actions) with a budget of EUR 15,000,000. Contributions are around EUR 15,000,000, with one grant expected.

HORIZON-MISS-2025-03-OCEAN-05: HORIZON-IA (Innovation Actions) with a budget of EUR 15,000,000. Contributions are around EUR 15,000,000, with one grant expected.

HORIZON-MISS-2025-03-OCEAN-06: HORIZON-IA (Innovation Actions) with a budget of EUR 13,500,000. Contributions are around EUR 13,500,000, with one grant expected.

HORIZON-MISS-2025-03-OCEAN-07: HORIZON-CSA (Coordination and Support Actions) with a budget of EUR 14,200,000. Contributions range from EUR 3,000,000 to EUR 3,550,000, with four grants expected.

HORIZON-MISS-2025-03-OCEAN-08: HORIZON-IA (Innovation Actions) with a budget of EUR 12,000,000. Contributions are around EUR 6,000,000, with two grants expected.

All topics follow a single-stage submission process, with the opening date set for May 7, 2025, and the deadline for submissions on September 24, 2025, at 17:00:00 Brussels time.

General conditions for participation include admissibility criteria, eligible countries, and other specific conditions related to the use of satellite-based data. Financial and operational capacity of applicants will be assessed, and evaluation and award processes will follow the guidelines outlined in the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual.

Applicants are advised to consult the Horizon Europe Programme Guide, Model Grant Agreements, and call-specific instructions for detailed information on application procedures, evaluation criteria, and legal and financial aspects. Partner search announcements are available on the Funding & Tenders Portal to facilitate the formation of consortia.

In summary, this Horizon Europe call represents a significant opportunity for regional and competent authorities to secure funding for innovative projects aimed at restoring ocean and water ecosystems, promoting a sustainable blue economy, and building resilience to climate change. The emphasis on regional involvement, collaboration, and practical demonstration ensures that the funded projects will have a tangible and lasting impact on the health of Europe's coastal and riparian areas.

Eligible Applicant Types: The primary eligible applicant types are regional authorities and other relevant competent authorities, such as those responsible for river, water, and coastal management. The participation of regional authorities as full partners of the consortium is strongly encouraged. The definition of regional authorities includes legal entities responsible for managing regions, geographical areas at sub-national level, defined as NUTS 2 and 3, corresponding to actual administrative units with their own representation/government. Non-EU/non-Associated Countries may also be eligible if they have specific provisions for funding in Horizon Europe projects.

Funding Type: The funding types include HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA), HORIZON Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA), and HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (HORIZON-CSA). The Model Grant Agreement type is HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based [HORIZON-AG].

Consortium Requirement: A consortium is required, and the participation of regional authorities as full partners is strongly encouraged.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility includes EU member states and associated countries participating in the Horizon Europe program. A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects.

Target Sector: The target sectors are environment, climate, blue economy, and innovation, specifically focusing on the restoration of oceans and waters, coastal zones, and riparian zones. The program targets the blue economy by integrating sustainable and environmentally friendly methods that are both ecologically and economically beneficial.

Mentioned Countries: No specific countries are mentioned, but the focus is on regions within the EU and associated countries that fall within the four sea and river basins: Atlantic and Arctic Sea basin, Mediterranean Sea basin, Baltic and North Sea basin, and Danube River basin, including the Black Sea.

Project Stage: The project stage is demonstration, with an emphasis on testing and demonstrating effective solutions to achieve the Mission's specific objectives and targets in coastal and riparian areas. The projects should test and demonstrate solutions that contribute to protecting and restoring marine and freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity, preventing and eliminating pollution, and making the sustainable blue economy carbon-neutral and circular.

Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary depending on the specific topic within the call:
HORIZON-MISS-2025-03-OCEAN-01: EUR 5,000,000 (Contributions: EUR 4,000,000 to EUR 5,000,000)
HORIZON-MISS-2025-03-OCEAN-02: EUR 22,000,000 (Contributions: EUR 4,500,000 to EUR 5,500,000)
HORIZON-MISS-2025-03-OCEAN-03: EUR 23,300,000 (Contributions: EUR 5,000,000 to EUR 5,825,000)
HORIZON-MISS-2025-03-OCEAN-04: EUR 15,000,000 (Contributions: around EUR 15,000,000)
HORIZON-MISS-2025-03-OCEAN-05: EUR 15,000,000 (Contributions: around EUR 15,000,000)
HORIZON-MISS-2025-03-OCEAN-06: EUR 13,500,000 (Contributions: around EUR 13,500,000)
HORIZON-MISS-2025-03-OCEAN-07: EUR 14,200,000 (Contributions: EUR 3,000,000 to EUR 3,550,000)
HORIZON-MISS-2025-03-OCEAN-08: EUR 12,000,000 (Contributions: around EUR 6,000,000)

Application Type: The application type is an open call with a single-stage submission process.

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of grants to support their projects.

Application Stages: The application process is a single-stage process.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned, but the indicative number of grants for each topic is specified in the budget overview.

Co-funding Requirement: Regional and other competent authorities participating in the project are encouraged to pool and enhance synergies with other sources of funding (e.g., structural, cohesion funds such as ERDF, or LIFE).

Summary: This Horizon Europe call, "Supporting the implementation of the Restore our Ocean and Waters Mission (HORIZON-MISS-2025-03)," aims to engage and support regional authorities in demonstrating and accelerating the transitions needed to achieve the objectives of the Mission Restore our Ocean and Waters. The call encourages projects that work with regional and competent authorities to carry out restoration activities in coastal and riparian zones, contributing to the Mission's objectives of protecting and restoring ecosystems, preventing pollution, and promoting a carbon-neutral and circular blue economy. The call is structured around several specific topics, each with its own budget and expected outcomes, ranging from research and innovation actions to coordination and support actions. Eligible applicants include regional authorities and other competent authorities within the EU and associated countries, and projects are expected to involve citizens and stakeholders, develop innovative funding approaches, and monitor the effectiveness of proposed solutions. The overall goal is to foster a common approach towards coastal and river restoration, sustain the implementation of solutions, transfer knowledge, and identify opportunities to scale up the solutions demonstrated across Europe.