The EU Mission "Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030" (hereafter ‘Mission Ocean & Waters’ or ‘the Mission’) is a transformative initiative to restore marine and freshwater ecosystems while promoting sustainable economic development. Structured around three key objectives (protecting ecosystems, preventing pollution, and fostering a carbon-neutral blue economy) the Mission seeks to align public and private efforts across the EU. This deliverable, developed under the PREP4BLUE project, explores innovative models for engaging the business community in achieving these objectives, emphasising the need for private sector involvement to ensure sustainable and effective financing.

This report highlights successful interactions between businesses, public entities, and other organisations contributing to the Mission’s goals through 12 case studies based on 13 interviews conducted with key stakeholders. The case studies showcase diverse mechanisms for fostering innovation, sustainable growth, and collaboration across Mission Ocean & Waters basins. For each case study, recommendations are outlined for various stakeholders, including businesses, policymakers, academia, and NGOs. These recommendations provide actionable insights for enhancing collaboration and scaling up successful initiatives. While businesses are encouraged to invest in partnerships, leverage funding programmes, and adopt sustainable technologies, policymakers should streamline regulatory processes, promote place-based innovation, and provide incentives for sustainability. Lastly, academia is urged to enhance knowledge transfer and align educational programmes with industry needs, while NGOs are called upon to promote community engagement and support policy advocacy efforts. This report offers a blueprint for fostering deeper collaboration and innovation, ensuring that the blue economy thrives while supporting the long-term health of our ocean and freshwater ecosystems. 

The case studies can be accessed on the project website (here) or via Zenodo (here).