Photo by Guillaume Perigois

The European Commission has announced €116m for 13 new projects across Europe aimed at restoring oceans, seas and rivers. The initiatives form part of the EU’s Mission Ocean and Waters, which seeks to protect and restore the health of aquatic ecosystems by 2030.

The selected projects will tackle a range of issues including pollution reduction, ecosystem rehabilitation, climate resilience and the promotion of a sustainable blue economy. Examples include schemes to remove contaminants from rivers before they reach the sea, restoration of degraded marine habitats, and pilot programmes to strengthen coastal community resilience.

Funding is being drawn from Horizon Europe, the EU’s flagship research and innovation programme, and the LIFE programme, which supports environment and climate action. By combining these funding streams, the Commission aims to encourage cross-sectoral collaboration and ensure that lessons can be shared across Member States.

Officials stressed that the projects are intended as scalable models that can be replicated elsewhere in Europe. They also emphasised the need to integrate scientific innovation with community engagement, ensuring that solutions deliver tangible benefits to both ecosystems and local economies.

The announcement comes at a time of growing concern about the state of European waters, with recent assessments showing that many rivers, coastal areas and marine habitats remain in poor ecological condition. By targeting investment in innovation and restoration, the EU hopes to accelerate progress towards its biodiversity and climate targets while supporting jobs and sustainable industries linked to the sea.