Details of a new
The “Blue Challenge” program promotes the training of young people for the development of European projects for a sustainable blue economy.
The Blue Challenge: Interreg Project Development Training Programme, launched within the framework of the WestMED Initiative and aligned with the Atlantic Basin Strategy, has opened its call for applications to train young talent in the development of European projects linked to the sustainable blue economy.
The initiative aims to strengthen the capacities of students and professionals in the early stages of their careers, providing them with knowledge and practical tools to design robust Interreg project proposals, while fostering transnational cooperation between the Atlantic and Mediterranean regions.
The programme will specifically address some of the main European territorial cooperation instruments, including:
Interreg Atlantic Area.
Interreg Madeira-Azores-Canary Islands (MAC) European Territorial Cooperation Programme 2021-2027.
Interreg NEXT-MED.
Interreg EURO-MED. Practical and International Training
Aimed at young people aged 18 to 25 from countries eligible for Interreg programs, this introductory course requires no prior experience in European projects. The working language will be English, and a maximum of 100 participants will be selected, taking into account geographical and gender balance.
The training will take place over four months through an interactive program focused on all phases of the Interreg project lifecycle:
Project planning and design.
Budget preparation.
Proposal writing.
Project presentation.
The methodology will combine theoretical and practical sessions through webinars led by experts, case studies based on real Interreg-funded projects, collaborative exercises, group discussions, and learning assessments. Participants will also have access to specialized digital platforms and resources.
Three Phases and a Grand Finale in the Canary Islands
Registration will remain open until May 19, 2026.
The program will be developed in three main phases:
May – mid-July 2026: Online training for participants.
September 15, 2026: In-person “Blue Challenge Day” in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, where participants will work in teams to develop and present complete Interreg project proposals to a jury composed of representatives from Interreg programs and experts in the blue economy.
September 16, 2026: Awards ceremony in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, coinciding with the Atlantic-WestMED Stakeholder Conference.
Winning proposals will be selected based on their quality, relevance, and feasibility. In addition, the winning teams will receive personalized guidance to transform their ideas into complete future Interreg funding applications.
With this initiative, Blue Challenge seeks to contribute to the development of a new generation of professionals capable of leading international cooperation projects focused on sustainability, innovation and the growth of the blue economy in Europe.