Represented by the Finnova Foundation at European Ocean Days, the project strengthens alliances with leaders from DG MARE, Copernicus, and EMODnet to boost data-driven coastal resilience

Brussels, March 9, 2026 – The LIFE COSTAdapta project, co-funded by the European Union’s LIFE programme, concluded its participation last week in the European Ocean Days held in Brussels and organized by the European Commission. This annual event brought together the key players in ocean governance, the blue economy, and marine observation within the European Union.

The week was highlighted by the announcement made by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, who introduced OceanEye, a new global observation network designed to close marine data gaps and improve the capacity to anticipate extreme weather events. Von der Leyen emphasized that “the basis for our success is science,” highlighting the role of sensors and accurate data in protecting homes and economies.

At the opening of the sessions, Delilah al Khudhairy, Director for Maritime Policy and Blue Economy, insisted on the need for greater coordination between countries—a message that directly connects with COSTAdapta’s resilience objectives.

High-Level Strategic Meetings

The project was represented by Pilar Santamaría, Communications Director at the Finnova Foundation, and Elisenda Forés, Communication Junior. Leveraging Finnova’s permanent presence in Brussels, COSTAdapta developed an intense working agenda aimed at aligning its innovation in Gran Canaria with European priorities in marine observation and data.

Throughout the week, the team held strategic meetings with key representatives from European institutions and technical agencies:

• Andreea Strachinescu, Head of Unit at DG MARE (Maritime Innovation, Marine Knowledge and Investment).
• Jacques Delsalle, Policy Officer at DG ENV (Directorate-General for Environment).
• Kestutis Sadauskas, Deputy Director-General at DG MARE.
• Jose Miguel Rubio Iglesias, Coordinator of In-Situ Component at Copernicus (European Environment Agency).
• Matteo Mikos, Junior GIS Project Officer at EMODnet.

These stakeholders agreed that protecting Europe’s coastline requires not only technical solutions but also genuine coordination between marine regions and an effective data-sharing mechanism that connects local efforts with global goals. This vision validates COSTAdapta’s Tidal Pool-Reef methodology, which is based on scientific monitoring and nature-based solutions.

Participation in the European Ocean Days also allowed for the consolidation of alliances with the CINEA agency and other stakeholders in the marine ecosystem, reinforcing COSTAdapta’s role as a benchmark project in coastal adaptation and ocean governance within the European Union.

About LIFE COSTAdapta

 The project has a budget of EUR 3 337 563, co-funded by the European Union’s LIFE programme. The consortium is composed of: EnergiaGran, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), University of Cantabria, Ingecid, Raley, Econcrete, Canarias Recicla, and Finnova.