The UNIDO-WTCA Blue Economy Global Call 2026

The UNIDO WTCA Blue Economy Global Call 2026 aims to identify and promote readily deployable and scalable solutions and innovative technologies from the private sector 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 Global Call encompasses six strategic categories related to innovative solutions in Blue Economy.

The Blue Economy

According to the OECD the Blue Economy accounted for 1.5 trillion dollars in 2010 and it is expected to double in 2030 while reaching the 5 trillion dollars of gross value added in 2050. Aside from the economic features, it is estimated that over 3 billion people worldwide depend directly from Blue Economy related activities. Furthermore, oceans and inland freshwater water have a central role in climate balance and life conservation, which makes of paramount importance to balance economic growth with ocean and water reserve health.

The sustainable development of the Blue Economy leverage on innovation, inclusive governance, and nature-based solutions. Aside of mainstream activities like fishery, tourism and shipping & port activities, the Blue Economy presents emerging sectors like renewable energy, marine biotechnology, desalination, and ecosystem services like carbon sequestration and coastal protection. All these applications are currently transitioning toward a more interconnected and digitalize functioning, a feature that will cover a central role in the future.

Against this background, startups and innovators are emerging with solutions aimed at restoring ocean and water reserve & streams health while promoting a sustainable development. These innovations, spanning a wide range of interconnected and interdependent sectors, have the potential to drive a systemic transformation of the Blue Economy.

Scope

The UNIDO WTCA Blue Economy Global Call 2026 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 (refer to Section 4). 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 start-ups impact and success.

Structure & Timeline

The UNIDO WTCA Blue Economy Global Call 2026 is divided in three key components: the Call for Innovators, the Evaluation & Selection Period, 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 start-ups startups but also 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. Applications will be openfrom 01 April 2026 to 31 May 2026.
2. The Evaluation & Selection Period will take place in June/July 2026 During this time the jury will evaluate applications and elect the winners of the Global Call.
3. The Award Ceremony & Showcase will take place in Italy at the Euro Mediterranean Water Forum from the 29/09/2026 to the 02/10/2026.