The UNIDO-WTCA Blue Economy Global Call 2026

Deadline: 19Th June 2026

The UNIDO – WTCA Blue Economy Global Call 2026 aims to identify and promote readily deployable and scalable solutions and innovative technologies contributing to an inclusive, resilient, and sustainable development of the Blue Economy. Particular attention will be paid to high impact solutions for Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States.

The UNIDO-WTCA Blue Economy Global Call 2026 (Global Call) scope is to promote the sustainable development of the Blue Economy by supporting and scaling up innovative ideas and companies. The Call will identify and award one ready deployable, innovative, and scalable solution for each of the six strategic categories (outlined above). The winning ideas will enter an acceleration program under the UNIDO-WTCA umbrella and benefit from the UNIDO and WTCA expertise, network, and high-level mentoring. Supported by UNIDO’s technical cooperation, selected projects will receive potential pilot opportunities in partner countries, while through the WTCA’s business development platforms, companies will access business programs, new markets and expand worldwide. Both institutions will provide direct support for scaling up and matchmaking services to enhance winners’ impact and success.

The Global Call encompasses six strategic categories related to innovative solutions in Blue Economy.

Blue Renewable Energy

Emerging technologies that harness the ocean’s potential—such as wave, tidal, ocean thermal (OTEC), salinity gradient, and marine biofuels—to support the global energy transition while promoting sustainability and resilience in coastal and island economies.

Sustainable Blue Food

Responsibly sourced aquatic foods —such as fish, shellfish, and seaweed— that contribute to food security, nutrition, and livelihoods while preserving aquatic ecosystems. With a particular emphasis on practices like regenerative aquaculture and climate-resilient mariculture to ensure long-term ecological and economic sustainability.

Green Maritime Transport and Smart Ports

Modernization of shipping and port infrastructure through sustainable shipbuilding, alternative fuels, and digital technologies to reduce emissions, increase efficiency, and support decarbonization. Aiming to align maritime trade with climate goals while enhancing global logistics connectivity.

Coastal and Marine Tourism & Recreation

Sustainable and nature-based tourism activities —such as ecotourism, pescatourism, and cultural marine tourism— that promote local livelihoods and environmental stewardship. Minimizing ecological impact while maximizing economic and social benefits for coastal communities.

• Sea, Lakes and River Health & Restoration

Safeguarding and regenerating aquatic ecosystems through pollution control, habitat restoration, and sustainable resource management. Enhance biodiversity, climate resilience, and the long-term viability of Blue Industry activities.

• Blue Tech & Biotechnology

Application of advanced marine technologies —like observation data, blue database and platforms, drones, visualization models, and integrated artificial intelligence— and biological innovations—such as bioremediation, biofuels, biomaterials, and deep-sea bioprospecting—to drive sustainable industrial solutions.

Structure & Timeline

The UNIDO WTCA Blue Economy Global Call 2026 is divided in three key components: the Call for Innovators, the Evaluation & Selection Period, and the Award Ceremony & Showcase.

1. The Call for Innovators consists in a global call on innovative blue economy solutions, inviting on-line applications from micro, small, medium, large companies and startups, but also academia, NGOs as well as public-private projects and initiatives. The call will prioritize women- and youth-led initiatives and projects focusing on developing countries, as well as small island developing states. 
2. The Evaluation & Selection Period represents a period of analysis of submitted applications where a Scientific Committee will evaluate applications, and a dedicated International Jury will elect the winners of the Global Call.
3. The Award Ceremony & Showcase will take place in Rome, Italy at the Euro Mediterranean Water Forum, where the six best-in class ideas identified as the winners of the UNIDO-WTCA Blue Economy Global Call will showcase their innovative ideas.

Award Modalities and Prizes

Six innovative ideas – one for each of the Sector of Interest – will be awarded at the Euro Mediterranean Water Forum in Rome, Italy the 1st of October 2026, and enter a dedicated acceleration program under the UNIDO–WTCA umbrella, benefiting from:

• UNIDO’s technical cooperation expertise and promotion in partner countries with potential opportunities to pilot or implement their innovative solutions.
• WTCA’s global business development platforms, enabling market access, matchmaking with clients as well as business accelerators, and international visibility.
• High-level mentoring, strategic guidance as well as direct support for scaling up winning solutions impact for the following one year from the awarding.
• Up to ten shortlisted of best-in-class applicants for each of the categories will be promoted and supported in their capital-raising efforts through virtual or in-person demo days, and/or through inclusion in investment portfolio booklets. These will be presented to a selected group of public and private financial actors, ranging from philanthropic and development institutions to traditional investors, venture capital funds, other investment funds, and banks.
• The winners will be eligible to receive reimbursement of up to Three Thousand Dollars (USD $3,000) from the WTCA for reasonable travel-related and lodging expenses incurred in connection with the presentation ceremony held at the Euro Mediterranean Forum in Rome, Italy.  The winners are solely responsible for arranging and booking their own travel and lodging. All travel dates, visit timing, and related logistics must be coordinated with and approved in advance by Sponsor. Reimbursement is limited to actual, reasonable, and documented expenses for transportation and lodging directly related to the visit, up to a maximum of Three Thousand Dollars (USD $3,000) total. The winner must submit valid itemized receipts and other documentation reasonably requested by Sponsor within the timeframe specified by Sponsor. Failure to provide required documentation may result in denial of reimbursement. No reimbursement will be provided for expenses exceeding Three Thousand Dollars (USD $3,000). Any costs and expenses not expressly stated as reimbursable herein, including but not limited to meals, ground transportation, incidental expenses, travel insurance, taxes, fees, or personal expenses, are the sole responsibility of the winners.
• The working language in which the follow-up activities will be held is English.

Target Group

The Global Call for proposals will target the following groups for participation in the competition:

• Micro, small, medium (MSMEs) and large enterprises;
• Start-up companies operating in sectors linked to the contest;
• Academic institutions/centers;
• Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiatives;
• Non-governmental organizations (NGOs); public and private foundations linked to the business world and international development cooperation;

The organizers encourage the submission of proposals, from early-stage ideas to scaling up projects, but also innovative technologies under testing and evidence collection.

Eligibility criteria

By entering this contest, applicants accept and agree to be bound by these Terms of Reference.

Proposals are required to meet a set of minimum eligibility criteria in order to be able to be considered for evaluation in the context of this call.

Entries that do not meet the eligibility criteria are subject to disqualification and/or removal, at organizer’s sole discretion.

The eligibility criteria are as follows:

• Individuals must be eighteen (18) years of age or older to enter.
• Each individual submission should clearly state the focus area by selecting the most applicable category in the application form. Candidates may select up to two categories.
• The description of the business project should not be written in a promotional tone, but use neutral, factual language.
• The applications sent by admissible candidates will be submitted for an initial screening phase and will be considered only if complete in all the mandatory fields and coherent with the Global Call for proposal objectives and themes.
• Only the admissible proposals, following a verification of their feasibility and credibility requirements, will enter the evaluation process.
• To ensure that the proposed solutions are beyond the conceptual stage and have already reached a minimum level of technical maturity and reliability, business projects must present a Technology Readiness Level equal or superior to 4 (Annex).
• Applications must be submitted in English.
• All entries are final; no revisions or modifications after submission are accepted.
• Entries must include only materials created by the entrant and must not infringe on the intellectual property rights of any other person or entity. Entrant must not copy material or include materials, images, graphics, music or trademarks belonging to any third parties or incorporate the names, likeness or personas of any party other than yourself in your entry. Except as stated herein, no entries may contain brand names, trademarks or company logos not owned by entrant.

How to participate

There is no fee required to enter this contest.

Applicants are required to fill all the mandatory fields in the registration form and accept related terms and conditions. By entering this contest, entrants accept and agree to be bound by these Terms of Reference.

For more information and application