The Horizon 2020-funded BRIDGE-BS project is pleased to announce a series of webinars showcasing major findings and key results from our four-year journey in advancing sustainable Blue Economy in the Black Sea towards 2050. Over the past four years, BRIDGE-BS has made significant strides in understanding the impact of multistressors on the Black Sea, advancing data integration, modeling, and risk-based assessments to support sustainable ecosystem management. Through innovations in biodiversity monitoring, climate scenario modeling, and resilience analysis, the project has laid the foundation for a science-driven approach to ensuring the long-term sustainability of Black Sea ecosystem services. As we look toward the future, the Black Sea Towards 2050 webinar series builds upon these achievements, fostering discussions on the next steps for sustainable blue economy development, policy integration, and technological innovation. These webinars will bring together Black Sea and International scientists, policymakers, industry stakeholders, and the broader public to discuss how BRIDGE-BS research contributes to a better understanding of the Black Sea’s challenges and opportunities.

AQUARIUS is launching an open call for applications for internships from early career scientists, technicians, PhD students, MSc students and post-docs working in marine and freshwater sciences. Once the AQUARIUS Transnational Access projects are selected, the project leaders and the operators of the research infrastructures will be asked to confirm whether they have any capacity to accommodate an intern. In addition, opportunities will be sought for internships in projects organised by AQUARIUS partners outside the funded TA projects, where travel and subsistence costs will be supported (up to a maximum amount). Interns will not conduct their own research but will have the opportunity to learn how international scientific teams work and how to utilize the research infrastructures available in AQUARIUS. Please note that only the ship time and access to other RIs is financed by AQUARIUS. All other participants’ expenses, including travel and accommodation costs, will be partially reimbursed by the AQUARIUS project up to a specified limit. AQUARIUS will maintain a database of all qualified, interested candidates and, as training opportunities become available, will draw up a shortlist by assessing suitability for the project on offer.

This training is designed to equip ECOPs with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to contribute to equitable and transparent marine data systems. Participants will follow the full marine information value cycle - from ocean observation and modelling to data services and user needs and learn how to embed good practices in every step of the process. We will also discuss the importance of sharing research and knowledge through Ocean Literacy and Citizen Science initiatives.

The Blue-Cloud Hackathon 2025 is a collaborative event inviting scientists, researchers, and innovators to explore the open science ecosystem developed by the Blue-Cloud project. It’s a chance to design and test data-driven workflows using the platform’s Virtual Labs, Workbenches, and analytical tools to extract insights from diverse marine datasets.

The online event will be split over two consecutive afternoons and is open for everyone to join. This will be a great opportunity for marine spatial planners, stakeholders, policy and decision makers, industry managers, experts in marine conservation and sustainability, and the scientific community to come together and learn about MarinePlan's improved and innovative transdisciplinary approach to effective ecosystem-based maritime spatial planning and conservation in European seas. The first part of the event will explore the elements of marine conservation planning that are necessary for an ecosystem-based approach, Decision Support System building blocks, and real examples of scenarios and lessons learned from our Planning Sites. The second afternoon will feature tutorials and training on the use of the tools and programs developed in MarinePlan and examples of their implementation.

In total, four seminars will focus on topics such as communication and education, pollution and citizen science, climate policy, blue innovation, social responses, and individual and collective action. We aim to turn knowledge into action by offering practical tools, strategies, and skills to foster real change, featuring speakers and case studies from around the world.

Biological systems are complex networks of biological entities such as organs, tissues, cells, organelles, macromolecular complexes, and regulatory pathways at a macro scale. Oceans represent a perfect example of a biological system made of a huge number of interconnected biodiverse systems, both as species and as niches. Understanding how their connections result in its health and equilibrium requires a wide approach, looking at it from all the possible angles. Systems biology aims to provide a comprehensive view of the biological systems using an interdisciplinary integrated approach from different scientific areas and technological, experimental and informatic skills. Based on this holistic view, the school aims to provide participants basic and advanced knowledge on Biodiversity, Ecological interactions, Evolutionary Genomics and Omic disciplines, to be used as an integrated approach applied to oceans for EcoEvoDevo studies and Biotech Applications.

This training is designed to empower both mature and early-career scientists with the skills, tools, and confidence to communicate their science effectively. Participants will explore what Ocean Literacy means and how it can be applied in real-life settings – from storytelling and public outreach to policy engagement.

The MAF-WORLD COST Action organised the training school on “Bridging Ecology and Economics: valuation and restoration of Animal Forests” as part of WG6 activities Aims and rationale: Animal forests are well known as ecosystem capable of enhancing biodiversity, regulatingbiogeochemical cycles, and supporting fisheries and tourism. However, they remain underrepresented in economic assessments and marine policy, often limiting effective conservation and restoration efforts. To address this gap, this summer school is designed to provide an integrated, interdisciplinary approach that connects ecological understanding with economic valuation and real-world restoration practices. The course begins with an overview of ecological economics and the ecosystem service cascade, followed by hands-on sessions in biophysical accounting and economic tools for environmental decision-making. Through guided case studies, participants will learn to apply these techniques to real marine contexts and will explore methods for assessing the monetary value of ecosystem services. Finally, participants will engage directly with marine restoration practices through sessions based on the Maldivian coral reef case. A practical visit to the research aquarium will allow participants to explore ex-situ conservation methods for tropical animal forests. This training school will take place at the Aquarium of Genoa, Italy, from 15 to 19 September 2025 (5 days, Monday to Friday). The program comprises 4 days of training sessions, including the visit to the aquarium facilities and a guided tour to Portofino marine protected area with the possibility to dive insome of the most famous animal forests of the Mediterranean.

The She4Sea project is committed to empowering women and fostering sustainable careers in the Blue Economy. This platform provides cutting-edge training materials tailored to three dynamic sectors: Maritime Transport, Fisheries & Aquaculture, and Water-Based Marine Tourism.