These initiatives, named IDIWATER, ACUICONECTA, CALYPSO, A3M Atlantic, and Blue Supply Chain, aim to strengthen collaboration between research centers, companies, and other stakeholders in Macaronesia and other Atlantic territories. The goal is to foster applied research, knowledge transfer, business innovation, and the development of new capabilities in key sectors for the Canary Islands.
The IDIWATER project, led by the Canary Institute of Technology (ITC) with 3,513,967 euros, focuses on applied research and public-private knowledge transfer in the water sector, with special attention to desalination, agriculture, and energy. It also includes the shared use of infrastructure such as the DESAL+ LIVING LAB platform.
Meanwhile, ACUICONECTA, also led by the ITC with 3,699,616.87 euros, seeks to strengthen the connection between research, industry, and society in aquaculture. It brings together actors from the Azores, Canary Islands, and Madeira, and establishes cooperation channels with countries on the African Atlantic coast to improve the production of quality food and transition towards a more sustainable model.
The CALYPSO project, coordinated by the Canary Foundation Science and Technology Park of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (3,513,567 euros), works on harnessing algae and industrial by-products to develop new bioprocesses and products, particularly algae polysaccharides for applications in agri-food, biomaterials, environment, aquaculture, and biomedicine. It aims to diversify the business fabric and promote a blue, circular, and low-carbon economy.
A3M Atlantic, led by the Maritime Cluster of the Canary Islands (2,686,931.86 euros), focuses on the sustainable growth and competitiveness of SMEs in the blue economy in the mid-Atlantic. It promotes innovation and internationalization, develops pilot projects, and enhances capabilities through training, covering sectors such as fishing, aquaculture, transport, blue energy, and marine biotechnology.
Finally, Blue Supply Chain, managed by the Canary Federation of Port Companies (Fedeport) (2,872,034.42 euros), will boost the role of SMEs in the offshore renewable energy industry, particularly offshore wind. It includes adapting port infrastructure, promoting innovation, and providing training to meet industry needs.
These five European initiatives reinforce a key line of the ACIISI 2026 Action Plan aimed at strengthening research, innovation, and collaboration, thereby expanding the Canary Islands' capacity for cooperation in the Atlantic space and promoting joint projects to address strategic challenges.
