The MSP Assistance Mechanism Team is soon to start a Sustainable Aquaculture Study on behalf of DG MARE. Currently we are in the process of mobilising an expert team. As part of the study the AM MSP team will reach out to all Member States in order to organise brief workshops to support this research that will feed into the development of recommendations for all stakeholders.

The European MSP platform was recently revamped and migrated to the official domain of websites of the European Union. With clearer design and sections, we are looking forward to your visit and your feedback. A short online survey has been prepared for you to provide suggestions to continue the Platform’s development.

The 21st MSEG meeting on MSP was held in Brussels on 29-30 November 2021. The meeting gave Member States the opportunity to present the progress made in implementing the MSP Directive, following the deadline of 31 March 2021, with presentations to this effect from Lithuania, Germany and Spain. Explore the key points and highlights of this event with the direct link below.

Throughout 2022, the UNITED (Multi-Use Platforms and Co-Location Pilots Boosting Cost-Effective, Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Production in Marine Environments) project will organise a series of five workshops. Learn more and register today with the link below.

The 2022 edition of the European Maritime Day (EMD) will take place on 19-20 May. Seize this opportunity to bring EMD to your country and organise your own event, with EMD communication materials and coverage support. More details about the EMD2022 agenda, themes and national events are available on the official EMD website. It is open to all Common Maritime Agenda (CMA) countries, and the CMA National Hubs can help you in your submission. In 2021, Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey and Ukraine organized dedicated events. Contact us for more information.

Two new EMFAF Calls for Projects have been published for the Black Sea region. These two funding opportunities focus on (1) Innovation Capacity Building Pilots and (2) Maritime Spatial Planning. 1 - Boosting innovation and digitalisation in blue economy sectors. The selected pilot project(s) will contribute to the implementation of the European Green Deal objectives, the Digital Agenda and the EU Communication on Sustainable Blue Economy - Total available budget 1M€ 2 - The objective of this call for proposals is to facilitate the implementation of Maritime Spatial Planning in the EU, including through the effective application of Directive 2014/89 establishing a framework for MSP - Total available budget 3.75M€ for all EU Seabasins.

The release of this information allows stakeholders and citizens to access detailed data and maps about projects to implement cross-border energy infrastructure in the EU.

Dear Clean Energy readers,

Once again, the pandemic disrupted our lives and jobs this year. Luckily, we managed to stay in touch through this newsletter and the Clean Energy Twitter account.

With the hope that the future will be brighter, we wish you all a nice and restful winter break!

See you in 2022 for more news, stories and opportunities to support the clean energy transition in Europe!

This brings to 30 the number of projects supported by the Innovation Fund small-scale call. These 30 projects aim to bring low-carbon technologies to the market in energy-intensive industries, hydrogen, energy storage and renewable energy. Together, they will benefit from a total of EUR 109 million of EU grants.

SUN-to-LIQUID was awarded the 22nd Energy Globe World Award during the COP 26 in Glasgow for its technology to produce renewable transportation fuels from water and CO2 with solar energy.

The project took the top prize for its work in reducing the emissions from 12 mountain huts in Spain, Italy, Slovenia and France at a ceremony during the 23rd Energy Days conference in Portorož, Slovenia.

The Black Sea Common Maritime Agenda community has been especially active over the past few weeks. Alongside the hackathon-fuelled CMA Regional Stakeholders Conference, three national stakeholder events also took place in Ukraine, Romania and Bulgaria. Don’t hesitate to explore the exchanges and knowledge shared during these events, as recordings, as well as all the outputs and related content from all four conferences are now available on the CMA website!

In response to the LIFE programme’s 2021 Call for nature & biodiversity, circular economy & quality of life, and climate action projects, the European Commission has received 606 proposals

The European Commission has approved an investment package of more than €290 million for 132 new projects under the LIFE Programme for the Environment and Climate Action. Get to know who they are!

Article about the work carried out by LIFE projects in restoring Europe’s peatlands published as part of the Global Peat Press Project (GP3) campaign. This is a coordinated media campaign from the UNEP’s Global Peatlands Initiative (GPI) and the North Pennines AONB Partnership to promote the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030).

Style, sustainability, and inclusiveness came together at the LIFE in the New European Bauhaus conference. Check out the outcome of the three-day hybrid conference.

Spain’s LIFE SUSTAINHUTS recently won an award for the most energy-efficient project for its work in reducing the emissions from 12 mountain huts in Spain, Italy, Slovenia and France.

CINEA is hosting an info session for interested applicants on 13 December from 10:00 – 11:30 (Brussels time) on the new European City Facility Call for proposals. The info session will provide an overview of the European City Facility call, including the policy framework and insights into the relevant experiences of the current initiative. Interested applicants will also have the opportunity to ask their questions in a dedicated "Question & Answers" slot. With a budget of EUR 16 million, the call is open until 3 March 2022 – 17:00 (Brussels time). No registration is required! Simply mark this event in your calendar and join the info session via web streaming.

The LIFE Clean Energy Transition Call for Proposals 2021 includes 18 topics open for submitting your proposals. Apply with your clean energy idea by 12 January.

This is a highly relevant, innovative and impactful project aiming to support Algerian startups in the field of aquaculture, environmental protection, etc. The project has had very important national impact with over 185 participating projects and 24 supported startups, with a focus on youth.