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News 08 July 2025

The Atlantic Area programme approves 24 new projects with €55 million investment

The Interreg Atlantic Area programme has approved funding for 24 new cooperation projects during its latest Monitoring Committee meeting held in Galway, Ireland. These projects were selected under the programme's Third Call for proposals and represent a total investment of €55 million.

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The selected projects focus on key areas of regional cooperation: innovation, environmental protection, and sustainable tourism. They were chosen from 80 applications based on their quality and relevance to the programme’s goals. The Interreg Atlantic Area will fund up to 75% of the total project costs.

Boosting innovation and competitiveness

Six projects, worth €11.9 million, will promote training and advisory services for SMEs, foster sustainable economic growth in the algae-based biomass industry, support digital integration in the aquaculture sector, and facilitate prototyping activities. This will empower SMEs and startups while upskilling a new generation of professionals in the blue economy sector.

A group of about 20 people stand outdoors by a waterfront, holding a European Union flag. Modern buildings and cloudy skies are in the background. The group is dressed in business casual attire and smiling at the camera.

Members of the Atlantic Area programme at their Monitoring Committee meeting in Galway, Ireland, in July 2025. Photo: Atlantic Area programme

Protecting the environment

Thirteen projects, with a combined budget of €31.6 million, will address major environmental challenges. They include accelerating the deployment of wave energy systems, developing floating offshore wind technologies, solutions for ocean monitoring, promoting biodiversity conservation, and enhancing coastal risk prevention. Additional efforts will aim to reduce the pollution that rivers carry into the Atlantic Ocean, improve port-city integration based on the New European Bauhaus philosophy, and increase transparency and consumer trust in the Atlantic seafood sector.

Promoting sustainable and social blue tourism and culture

Five projects, with a value of €11.6 million, will focus on more inclusive and sustainable tourism. They aim to create new tourist routes, protect maritime cultural heritage, and manage visitor flows in coastal areas.

A full list of approved projects is available here.

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