The BlueActionAA Community-Led Action Call is a major EU-supported funding opportunity designed to empower local and regional communities to lead impactful actions that restore marine and freshwater ecosystems across the Atlantic and Arctic basins. This community-led funding opportunity supports innovative, inclusive, and practical solutions that align with the EU Mission “Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030.”
Through this Community-Led Action Call, BlueActionAA aims to transform citizen-driven ideas into scalable restoration solutions that protect biodiversity, reduce pollution, and advance a carbon-neutral and circular blue economy. The call places communities at the center of environmental change, recognizing them as long-term agents of sustainable impact.
About the BlueActionAA Community-Led Action Call
The BlueActionAA Community-Led Action Call (BAAC-01) is a cascade funding mechanism under the BlueActionAA initiative, which contributes directly to the EU Mission “Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030.” The mission provides a systemic framework to restore the health of oceans, seas, rivers, and inland waters while addressing environmental, economic, and social challenges.
This community-led funding call focuses on regional and local collective action, where communities collaborate to design, pilot, and implement innovative ecosystem restoration initiatives. The programme supports actions that generate measurable environmental benefits and strengthen the connection between communities and their surrounding marine and freshwater environments.
The BlueActionAA Community-Led Action Call addresses three overarching EU Mission objectives:
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Protect and restore marine and freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity
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Prevent and eliminate pollution affecting rivers, seas, and coastal areas
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Advance a carbon-neutral and circular sustainable blue economy
By funding community-driven projects, BlueActionAA aims to bridge the gap between policy ambition and real-world environmental action.
Funding Available Under the BlueActionAA Community-Led Action Call
The BlueActionAA Community-Led Action Call offers substantial financial support to selected projects:
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Minimum number of grants: At least five (5) projects
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Grant size per project: €200,000 to €2,000,000
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Total call budget: €7 million (lump sum)
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Maximum funding per single organisation: €500,000 (small consortia are allowed)
In addition to financial support, successful applicants will receive technical assistance and capacity-building support, including:
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Business plan development
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Impact assessments
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Specialised training programmes
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Tailored mentoring and knowledge-sharing opportunities
This combination of funding and technical support is designed to ensure high-quality implementation and long-term sustainability of funded actions.
Eligibility Criteria: Who Can Apply for the BlueActionAA Community-Led Action Call
Eligible Countries and Territories
Applications are open to organisations and consortia located in:
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European Union Member States, including outermost regions
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Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) linked to EU Member States
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Horizon Europe Associated Countries (as of 1 September 2025)
While applications from all eligible countries are accepted, lead applicants (project coordinators) are particularly encouraged from Atlantic and Arctic Basin regions, including:
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France
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Ireland
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Spain
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Portugal
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Norway
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Iceland
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Greenland
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Faroe Islands
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Canada
Eligible Types of Organisations
The BlueActionAA Community-Led Action Call is open to a wide range of entities, including:
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Regional and local public authorities
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Non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
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Public and private foundations
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Professional associations
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Civil society and citizen associations
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Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and large enterprises
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Cultural and educational organisations
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Research organisations, academia, and relevant EU research infrastructures
Eligible organisations must be actively engaged in local development, environmental protection, or nature conservation activities.
Project Focus and Scope
Proposals must:
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Be community-led, involving collective local or regional collaboration
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Address marine and/or freshwater ecosystem restoration
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Align with one or more EU Mission objectives
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Demonstrate clear environmental benefits for the Atlantic or Arctic regions
Projects may pilot or implement innovative solutions addressing ecological and socio-economic challenges linked to oceans, rivers, coastal areas, or inland waters.
Programme Details: Duration, Structure, and Costs
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Type of opportunity: Community-led funding / Grant
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Project duration: 6 to 24 months
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Geographical coverage: Regional (Atlantic and Arctic basins)
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Type of funding: Cascade grants (lump sum)
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Eligible costs include:
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Personnel
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Equipment and purchases
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Travel
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Subcontracting
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Technical Assistance and Capacity-Building Support
A key feature of the BlueActionAA Community-Led Action Call is its strong emphasis on technical assistance. Successful projects will benefit from tailored support programmes agreed during a dialogue phase alongside grant contract signing.
Technical assistance may include:
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Business planning support
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Impact assessment tools
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Capacity-building and training programmes
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Mentorship and peer-learning opportunities
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Support for knowledge-sharing and communication
This support aims to strengthen leadership, innovation, and long-term sustainability within community-led actions under the Mission Ocean framework.
How to Apply: Application Process for the BlueActionAA Community-Led Action Call
Applications must be submitted via ESF’s online platform.
Step 1: Create an Applicant Profile
Applicants must first create an applicant profile on ESF’s platform. This step is mandatory to access the application system.
Step 2: Access the Open Call
Once registered, applicants can log in to ESF’s platform, view all open calls, and select the BlueActionAA Community-Led Action Call (BAAC-01).
Step 3: Submit the Application
Applicants must complete and submit their proposal before the stated deadline. Only applications submitted through the official platform will be considered.
Important Dates and Timeline
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Application deadline: Friday, 29 May 2026 at 14:00 CET
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Evaluation period: 1 June – 29 September 2026
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Announcement of results: 30 September 2026
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Sub-grant agreement signature: 1–30 October 2026
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Project start date: From November 2026
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Inception / kick-off meetings: From November 2026
Late applications will not be accepted.
Additional Information: Call for External Evaluators
A separate call for independent evaluators will open at the end of March 2026. Interested experts will be invited to submit applications by 25 May 2026 (14:00 CET). Evaluators will assess proposals between June and August 2026, with panel meetings held in early September.
Why the BlueActionAA Community-Led Action Call Matters
The BlueActionAA Community-Led Action Call represents a significant funding opportunity for communities, organisations, and institutions committed to restoring marine and freshwater ecosystems. By combining large-scale financial support, technical assistance, and a community-driven approach, the programme directly advances the EU’s ambition to restore oceans and waters by 2030.
For organisations working at the intersection of environmental protection, biodiversity, pollution reduction, and sustainable blue economies, this community-led funding opportunity provides the resources and support needed to achieve long-term impact across the Atlantic and Arctic regions.
APPLY HERE: BlueActionAA Community-Led Action Call
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