Month: February 2026

Pilar Santamaría, Finnova Foundation’s Communications Director, will represent the project at this key European Commission forum

Brussels, February 26, 2026. The Finnova Foundation and the LIFE COSTAdapta consortium are pleased to announce their participation in the upcoming European Ocean Days, held in Brussels from March 2 to 6, 2026. Organized by the European Commission, this event is the most significant annual gathering for stakeholders dedicated to ocean conservation and the blue economy in the EU.

LIFE COSTAdapta’s presence at this international forum is facilitated by the Finnova Foundation, a project partner permanently based in Belgium. This represents a milestone for disseminating the Tidal pool-reef methodology. Pilar Santamaría, the foundation’s communications manager, will attend the technical sessions to share how this nature-based solution—backed by a EUR 3 337 563 investment—is leading the way for climate resilience in Gran Canaria.

By leveraging Finnova’s local infrastructure and team in the European capital, the project ensures top-level institutional representation in a sustainable and efficient manner, strengthening strategic alliances with the CINEA agency and other European maritime leaders.

The project will protect homes and the marine environment through a tidal pool-reef system inspired by Canarian tradition

San Felipe (Gran Canaria), February 19, 2026. The European project LIFE COSTAdapta is launching a key information and awareness phase in the neighborhood of San Felipe, aiming to address residents’ concerns regarding sea-level rise and adverse coastal phenomena.

The initiative, which involves a total investment of EUR 3 337 563, proposes an innovative solution called Tidal pool-reefs. This technique not only seeks to mitigate coastal erosion but does so by integrating into the landscape, using a design that mimics the traditional tidal pools of the Canary Islands to reduce wave energy before it impacts the neighborhood’s infrastructure and homes.

A natural shield for the neighborhood

Focusing on San Felipe is a priority within Gran Canaria’s coastal adaptation strategy. LIFE COSTAdapta acts not only as a protection barrier against flooding but also promotes the recovery of marine habitats, creating new ecosystems for local species.

Unlike conventional rigid infrastructures, the tidal pool-reefs are designed to be progressive and respectful of coastal use, ensuring that San Felipe maintains its identity and its relationship with the sea safely for decades to come.

Governance and citizen participation

As established in the project’s Participation Plan, social acceptability is a fundamental pillar. Therefore, an ongoing dialogue will be maintained with neighbors to explain the technical benefits of the work and ensure the community feels part of this climate solution.

About LIFE COSTAdapta

LIFE COSTAdapta (LIFE22-CCA-ES-LIFE COSTAdapta) is a project co-funded at 60% by the European Union’s LIFE Programme. The consortium is led by the Consejo Insular de la Energía de Gran Canaria (CIEGC) and includes the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), the University of Cantabria, INGECID, Raley Estudios Costeros, ECOncrete, the Canary Foundation for Recycling and Sustainable Development (FCR), and the Finnova Foundation.

The Global Sustainable Islands Summit in Gran Canaria will showcase innovative solutions to sea-level rise funded by the European Union

Gran Canaria, February 9, 2026. Patricia del Mar Caro Ruiz, Project Manager at IOCAG – Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC) and Coordinator of the LIFE COSTAdapta project, has been officially invited as a speaker at the Global Sustainable Islands Summit (GSIS) 2026. This high-level international forum, co-organised by Island Innovation and the Cabildo de Gran Canaria, will take place from April 20–22, 2026, bringing together government leaders, academics, and experts to address the most pressing sustainability challenges for islands worldwide.

The GSIS 2026 focuses on Climate Adaptation, Renewable Energy, and Sustainable Tourism. In this framework, Ms. Caro Ruiz will detail how LIFE COSTAdapta addresses the climate vulnerability of Gran Canaria through a pioneering methodology: the Tidal pool-reef system. This nature-based solution combines traditional Canary Island techniques with advanced engineering to strengthen coastal resilience without compromising the public use of beaches or local landscapes. The project aims to protect biodiversity and the local tourism economy, ensuring that coastal areas remain accessible and safe for residents and visitors alike despite rising sea levels.

The project has a total budget of €3,337,563, with €2,002,538 co-funded by the LIFE Programme of the European Union. Led by the Consejo Insular de la Energía de Gran Canaria (CIEGC), the consortium includes ULPGC, the University of Cantabria (UC), INGECID, Raley Estudios Costeros S.C.P., ECOncrete AQUA, the Canary Foundation for Recycling and Sustainable Development (FCR), and the Finnova Foundation

Technical Sheet:

• Project: LIFE COSTAdapta (LIFE21-CCA-ES-LIFE COSTAdapta/101074552)
• Event: Global Sustainable Islands Summit 2026 | https://gsis.islandinnovation.co/
• Total Budget: €3,337,563 (60% EU Contribution)

Website:https://costadapta.energiagrancanaria.com/

• Pilar Santamaría, Communications Director of the foundation, moderated a technical session at this key international forum for maritime sustainability

Brussels, February 6, 2026. Last Tuesday, February 3rd, the Finnova Foundation, a partner of the LIFE Project #LIFECOSTAdapta, actively participated in The 3rd European Blue Economy Conference 2026 held in Brussels, Belgium. This annual summit brings together top EU policymakers, industry leaders, and innovators to shape the future of sustainability and competitiveness in our seas and coastlines.

Throughout the event, Finnova conducted intense strategic networking to provide visibility to the LIFE COSTAdapta project, which was on display for experts from across Europe. The initiative garnered significant interest from key stakeholders, most notably during a meeting with Margot Angibaud, representative of Europêche, where synergies regarding habitat protection and coastal resilience were discussed.

A major highlight of the conference was the participation of Pilar Santamaría, Director of Communication and Public Affairs at the Finnova Foundation, who served as the moderator for one of the technical sessions. Her role strengthened the Foundation’s position as a leader in the communication and management of European blue innovation projects, facilitating dialogue on the progress of the EU Ocean Pact.

About LIFE COSTAdapta The project (LIFE21-CCA-ES-LIFE COSTAdapta/101074552) has a total budget of €3,337,563, co-funded at 60% by the LIFE Programme of the European Union. It is led by the Consejo Insular de la Energía de Gran Canaria (CIEGC) and developed by a consortium including ULPGC, the University of Cantabria, INGECID, Raley Estudios Costeros, ECOncrete AQUA, the Canary Foundation for Recycling and Sustainable Development (FCR), and the Finnova Foundation