(06 April 2016) – Commission invests over €7.5 million under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund to boost innovation, growth and jobs in the marine and maritime sectors.

The investment earmarked under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund will comprise three calls for proposal:
1. Under the Blue Careers call, €3.45 million will be made available to equip job-seekers with useful skills necessary for the marine and maritime economy, re-train those willing to join the sector, and help people already working in the blue economy to progress in their career.
2. Under the Blue Labs call, which corresponds to €1.7 million, the Commission is promoting innovative “laboratories”, where students and recent postgraduates team up with experienced tutors from the local business community and the public sector to address maritime and marine issues.
3. Under the Blue Technology call, the Commission is putting up a total of €2.52 million to encourage public-private partnerships that will support the transfer of new technologies and research results into commercial applications and coordinate strategic investment at sea-basin level.