Lighthouse in the Baltic and the North Sea basins - Low impact marine aquaculture and multi-purpose use of marine space

Last updated: 21.7.2025
Grant

The 'Lighthouse in the Baltic and the North Sea basins' program, part of the Horizon Europe Mission 'Restore our Ocean, seas and waters by 2030', focuses on driving sustainable and carbon-neutral blue economy practices. It supports innovative projects demonstrating low-impact marine aquaculture and multi-purpose use of marine space, particularly in the Baltic and North Sea regions. This initiative aims to foster environmental stewardship and economic growth by promoting circularity and minimizing the ecological footprint of maritime activities.

Who is Funded for Sustainable Blue Economy

The program targets a diverse group of applicants, including research organizations, businesses, public sector entities, and civil society, with a strong emphasis on collaborative efforts across countries bordering the Baltic and North Sea. The overarching goal is to achieve sustainable and carbon-neutral use of marine space and enhance aquaculture practices in these vital European marine areas.

What Sustainable Projects Are Funded

This program specifically funds innovation actions focused on sustainable marine practices. It supports projects in eligible sectors like aquaculture and green infrastructure, with a clear emphasis on circularity and environmental impact reduction. Projects are expected to bring solutions to a high level of maturity, demonstrating their practical applicability.

Type and Scope of Funding

This program provides grant funding under Horizon Europe, with a specific mechanism for financial support to third parties. The total budget allocated for innovation actions under this specific call was significant, reflecting the scale of impact expected. Financial support to third parties is capped per region, emphasizing focused local development.

Conditions and Key Requirements

Applicants and beneficiaries must meet specific criteria related to consortium composition, geographic representation, and financial capacity. Important provisions also govern how financial support can be cascaded to third parties and emphasize broad stakeholder engagement and communication.

Application Process for Marine Innovation Funding

The application process for this program follows a single-stage submission, with clear guidelines and standard forms available through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Proposals undergo a rigorous evaluation based on predefined criteria, with indicative timelines for assessment and grant agreement communication.

This funding program is firmly rooted in the legal framework of Horizon Europe, authorized by specific EU regulations and directives. Its operations are also guided by a comprehensive set of European policies and strategies aimed at sustainable environmental management and blue economy development.

Similar Programs

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Funding Overview

Funding Status

Funding Status:

Closed

Maximum Amount

Maximum Amount:

100,000 € (per associated region for financial support to third parties)

Allocated Budget

Allocated Budget:

16,000,000 € (for HORIZON-IA action in 2021)

Deadline

Deadline:

12.04.2022

Open Until

Open Until:

Ongoing

Award Channel

Award Channel:

Framework Programme Call

Region

Region:

Baltic Sea and North Sea basins, including Member States/Associated Countries (demonstration activities in at least three countries in these basins). Additionally, 'associated regions' located in Member States/Associated Countries other than those in the project consortium.

Sectors

Sectors:

Agriculture and Agribusiness, Energy Production and Supply, Environmental and Climate Protection, Research and Development, Service Sector, Other

Beneficiaries

Beneficiaries:

Aquaculture industry, energy industry, fishers, consumers, NGOs, academia, research performing organisations, citizens, civil society, young innovators, start-ups, SMEs, other businesses, local and regional authorities.

Application Type

Application Type:

Consortium Required

Funding Stages

Funding Stages:

Pilot Testing, Product Development, Process Optimization, Market Introduction, Scaling, Commercialization, Implementation

Funding Provider

Program Level:

European Union

Funding Body:

European Commission

Additional Partners:

Partner organizations, implementing partners, co-sponsors, or coordinating entities associated with the program should include stakeholders from the aquaculture and energy industry, fishers, consumers, and NGOs in a co-creation approach. Projects also need to engage at least 5 'associated regions' for technical assistance and capacity building.

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