CESAM’s WIN-BIG and SMARTDEC projects were distinguished at the Atlantic Project Awards 2025, announced during the 12th Atlantic Stakeholder Platform Conference in Galway, Ireland. Both projects are coordinated by Helena Vieira, CESAM/DAO.

WIN-BIG, funded by the European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund, won in the Blue Skills and Ocean Literacy category. The project addresses gender gaps in the European Blue Economy, mapping women’s participation across sectors and marine basins, while developing tailored capacity-building initiatives, promoting role models, and inspiring young professionals through campaigns like Women Ocean Champions.

SMARTDEC – Smart Clusters for Maritime Decarbonisation, recognised in the Atlantic Ports category, accelerates maritime decarbonisation via a network of regional hubs in Portugal, Spain, France and Ireland, fostering cooperation and adoption of clean technologies to reduce emissions and strengthen the Atlantic blue economy.

Helena Vieira highlighted that the awards reflect CESAM’s commitment to tackling real challenges in the blue economy and provide motivation to continue collaborative, sustainable, and innovative research.

More info: here.