BlueActionBANOS Community-Led Actions Open Call 2026: Funding of Up to €2 Million Available

The BlueActionBANOS initiative has launched a major funding opportunity aimed at supporting innovative, community-driven solutions that promote sustainable ocean and water management. Through its Community-Led Actions Open Call, BlueActionBANOS seeks to fund large-scale projects capable of delivering meaningful environmental and socio-economic impact across the Baltic and North Sea basin (BANOS). Successful projects can receive financial support ranging from €200,000 to €2 million, making this an excellent opportunity for organizations working within marine, freshwater, and blue economy sectors.

About the BlueActionBANOS Open Call

The Community-Led Actions Open Call focuses on projects that demonstrate strong local engagement while contributing to the EU Mission Ocean and Waters objectives. The call aims to select between five and fifteen projects led by stakeholder groups based either on geographical location or shared interests.

Selected projects must propose innovative, impactful solutions tailored to the specific needs of their communities. BlueActionBANOS strongly emphasizes participatory approaches that empower local stakeholders, integrate local knowledge, and encourage sustainable practices that can be maintained long after the funding period ends.

Funding and Support

Successful applicants will receive significant financial backing, with funding ranging between €200,000 and €2 million per project. However, individual entities participating within a project consortium can receive a maximum of €500,000.

In addition to financial assistance, selected projects will benefit from:

• Dedicated operational support through assigned Project Key Accounts
• Tailored technical assistance delivered through onboarding workshops
• Ongoing mentorship and guidance for up to 24 months

This comprehensive support structure is designed to help project teams effectively implement their ideas while strengthening their capacity for long-term sustainability.

Eligible Countries and Geographic Focus

This call is open to applicants based in EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries, specifically within the BANOS region. Eligible countries include:

• Belgium
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• Germany
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• The Netherlands
• Norway
• Poland
• Sweden

Applicants from other EU or Horizon Europe associated countries may still be considered in exceptional cases if their involvement is well justified. All projects must focus on actions within the BANOS lighthouse area and may operate either within one country or across multiple participating countries.

Thematic Areas and Mission Objectives

Projects submitted under this call must address at least one of the EU Mission Ocean and Waters goals, including:

1. Protecting and restoring marine and freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity
2. Preventing and eliminating pollution from oceans, seas, and water bodies
3. Promoting a sustainable, carbon-neutral, and circular blue economy

Projects that integrate multiple objectives or demonstrate strong cross-sector collaboration are particularly encouraged.

Who Can Apply?

BlueActionBANOS welcomes applications from diverse organizations and stakeholder groups. Eligible applicants include:

• Regional and local government authorities, including waterfront and island administrations
• Non-governmental organizations, professional associations, and foundations involved in environmental conservation or sustainable marine development
• Educational institutions and research organizations
• Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), startups, and locally based companies
• Knowledge brokers and facilitation organizations
• Cooperatives, enterprises, and organizations promoting inclusion, skills development, and sustainable economic activities
• Financial institutions supporting sustainable investments
• Other legally registered organizations working within eligible communities

Target Communities

The call specifically supports initiatives benefiting blue and water-based communities such as:

• Port authorities, including inland ports
• Island and coastal communities
• Fishing, aquaculture, and seafood value chain stakeholders
• River basin and inland water management communities
• Citizen science, education, and community innovation initiatives
• Indigenous and traditional knowledge communities
• Blue technology and digital innovation groups focused on ocean monitoring and data sharing
• Cultural and maritime heritage organizations promoting ocean literacy
• Local investors and financial institutions supporting sustainable blue projects
• Local Action Groups operating under Community-Led Local Development strategies

Application Process and Timeline

The application process consists of two mandatory stages.

Stage One: Project Idea Submission

Applicants must submit a Project Idea Form by 16 March 2026 at 17:00 CET. This step enables applicants to receive expert consultation to strengthen their proposal. Applications that fail to submit this initial form will not proceed further.

Stage Two: Full Proposal Submission

Applicants invited to proceed must submit their complete project proposal by 29 May 2026 at 14:00 CET.

Only full proposals submitted through official application tools and within the specified deadline will be evaluated.

Additional Resources and Support

Applicants can access several helpful resources, including templates for the Project Idea Form and Full Proposal, as well as Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) documents designed to guide applicants through the process. BlueActionBANOS also provides consultation support to help applicants refine and improve their project concepts before final submission.

Contact and Further Information

Applicants seeking clarification or assistance can contact the BlueActionBANOS helpdesk via email at BAB_helpdesk@fundingbox.com. The initiative is coordinated by leading experts in marine sustainability, including Project Coordinator Sarah Tamulski and Dissemination and Communication Manager Anni Simonsen.

About BlueActionBANOS

BlueActionBANOS is an EU-funded initiative dedicated to empowering sustainable transitions across Baltic and North Sea blue communities. The project supports innovative, community-based approaches that contribute to ocean restoration, water sustainability, and the development of a resilient blue economy.

Organizations and community groups with transformative project ideas are strongly encouraged to apply and contribute to building a more sustainable future for marine and freshwater ecosystems.

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