As the CallmeBLUE project reaches its conclusion, its achievements stand as a testament to the power of collaboration in advancing a more innovative, sustainable, and connected blue economy across the Mediterranean.

Recognized by the WestMED Initiative as a Success Story, CallmeBLUE has emerged as one of the region's leading initiatives dedicated to strengthening maritime cooperation, supporting maritime clusters, and fostering innovation throughout the Mediterranean basin.

Funded by the European Union through the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) under the WestMED framework, the project was launched with the ambition of reinforcing the role of maritime clusters as key drivers of economic growth, innovation, sustainability, and regional integration.

Over the course of its implementation from 2023 to 2026, CallmeBLUE brought together a diverse community of maritime stakeholders, including maritime clusters, public institutions, universities, research centers, startups, SMEs, investors, innovation support organizations, and policymakers from across the Mediterranean region.

The project's consortium united partners from Italy, Spain, France, Portugal, Greece, Tunisia, and Algeria, while benefiting from the strategic contributions of Advisory Board members from Egypt, Mauritania, and Morocco. This broad regional representation enabled the project to foster meaningful cooperation between Northern and Southern Mediterranean countries and create new opportunities for dialogue, partnership, and joint action.

Maritime Clusters as Catalysts for Innovation

At the heart of CallmeBLUE was the belief that maritime clusters play a critical role in connecting stakeholders, accelerating innovation, and strengthening local and regional blue economy ecosystems.

As highlighted by Lidia Rossi, CallmeBLUE Project Coordinator and Managing Director of ForMare National Shipping Hub:

"Clusters serve as ecosystem facilitators, connecting key stakeholders of the Blue Economy, and bridging gaps to turn innovation into action through structured cooperation and territorial anchoring."

Guided by this vision, the project worked to strengthen the capacity of maritime clusters and empower them to act as engines of sustainable development and innovation within their respective territories.

Supporting Emerging Maritime Clusters

One of CallmeBLUE's most significant contributions has been its support for emerging maritime clusters, particularly in North Africa.

Through a comprehensive programme of Learning Labs, Business Trainings, local workshops, matchmaking forums, networking activities, and peer-learning opportunities, the project helped maritime stakeholders enhance governance structures, improve organizational capacities, and strengthen innovation ecosystems.

Participants engaged with a wide range of strategic topics shaping the future of the maritime sector, including:

🔹Maritime digitalization

🔹Decarbonization and environmental sustainability

🔹Blue skills development

🔹Entrepreneurship and startup support

🔹Innovation management

🔹Sustainable marine industries

🔹Cluster governance and management

🔹Cross-border cooperation and internationalization

These activities provided practical knowledge, tools, and methodologies that will continue to benefit maritime clusters and blue economy stakeholders long after the project's completion.

Building Stronger Mediterranean Cooperation Networks

A key objective of CallmeBLUE was to strengthen both North–South and South–South cooperation across the Mediterranean.

Throughout the project, businesses, researchers, investors, public authorities, cluster managers, and innovation actors were brought together through networking events, matchmaking initiatives, regional forums, and collaborative platforms designed to foster partnerships and facilitate knowledge exchange.

By connecting previously fragmented maritime stakeholders, CallmeBLUE helped create a stronger and more integrated Mediterranean blue economy community, encouraging cooperation across borders and sectors.

The project demonstrated that many of the challenges facing the maritime sector whether related to sustainability, innovation, skills development, or competitiveness can be addressed more effectively through regional collaboration and shared expertise.

Delivering Practical Tools and Lasting Resources

Beyond events and networking activities, CallmeBLUE generated a series of tangible outputs designed to ensure the long-term sustainability of its impact.

The project developed transferable training methodologies, cluster management tools, capacity-building resources, and networking mechanisms that can be replicated and adapted by maritime clusters throughout the Mediterranean region.

In addition, digital collaboration platforms created through the project have enhanced opportunities for maritime startups, SMEs, and innovation actors to connect, collaborate, and access new business and partnership opportunities.

These resources provide a solid foundation for future cooperation and contribute to the continued professionalization of maritime cluster management across the region.

A Roadmap for the Future: The Mediterranean Maritime Cluster Alliance

Among the project's most strategic achievements is the development of a roadmap for a Mediterranean Maritime Cluster Alliance.

Aligned with the priorities of both the WestMED Initiative and the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), the roadmap outlines a long-term vision for sustaining and expanding cooperation among maritime clusters beyond the lifespan of the project.

The proposed Alliance aims to provide a structured framework through which maritime clusters can continue to exchange knowledge, develop joint initiatives, promote innovation, and contribute to regional blue economy governance.

By establishing stronger institutional cooperation and fostering long-term partnerships, the Alliance has the potential to become a key mechanism for advancing sustainable blue growth across the Mediterranean.

Recognition of Impact

The project's contribution to maritime cooperation and sustainable blue growth was formally recognized through the 2025 WestMED Project Award, highlighting CallmeBLUE's role in strengthening collaboration and supporting the development of maritime ecosystems across the Mediterranean region.

This recognition reflects the collective commitment of all project partners, stakeholders, and participants who contributed to the success of the initiative and to the broader objective of building a more resilient and interconnected maritime community.

The Legacy of CallmeBLUE

While the CallmeBLUE project has officially come to an end, its impact will continue through the networks, tools, partnerships, and methodologies established during its implementation.

Rather than continuing as a standalone initiative, CallmeBLUE's legacy lies in the adoption and continuation of its results by maritime clusters, institutions, and blue economy stakeholders across the Mediterranean.

The project's training models, governance approaches, collaboration mechanisms, and strategic roadmap provide a foundation upon which future initiatives can build.

More importantly, CallmeBLUE has demonstrated how European policy frameworks and funding mechanisms can successfully translate strategic blue economy objectives into concrete action on the ground, generating tangible benefits for maritime ecosystems, businesses, innovators, and communities.

As the Mediterranean continues to address the challenges and opportunities of the blue economy, the spirit of cooperation fostered through CallmeBLUE will remain a valuable asset for the region's future.

For a broader overview of the project's recognition and achievements, read the official WestMED Success Story:

https://westmed-initiative.ec.europa.eu/callmeblue-building-a-mediterranean-maritime-cluster-alliance/