The Atlantic and the Western Mediterranean are coming together — and so are the people shaping their future.
On 15–16 September 2026, stakeholders from across both sea basins will gather in the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria for the first-ever Atlantic–WestMED Conference.
More than just a conference, this event is designed as a space to connect, exchange ideas, build partnerships and turn cooperation into concrete action.
At a time when maritime regions face shared challenges – from climate adaptation and decarbonisation to skills shortages, sustainable tourism and coastal resilience – stronger cooperation across sea basins has never been more important. The conference will bring together policymakers, researchers, entrepreneurs, NGOs, clusters, youth organisations, investors and project leaders to explore common opportunities and create new collaborations between the Atlantic and Western Mediterranean regions.
Participants can expect two highly interactive days combining inspiration, networking and hands-on collaboration.
Through plenary discussions, thematic sessions and project showcases, the conference will highlight successful initiatives, funding opportunities and emerging priorities across both sea basins.
Going beyond dialogue
A key highlight will be the interactive cross-basin hackathon, where participants will work together in multidisciplinary groups to transform ideas into potential cooperation projects. Stakeholders will have the opportunity to identify partners, co-design innovative solutions and explore future funding pathways under programmes such as EMFAF, Interreg and Horizon Europe.
Whether you are looking to discover new initiatives, expand your network, develop project ideas or help shape the future of maritime cooperation, this conference offers a unique platform to connect with actors from across Europe’s Atlantic and Mediterranean communities.
Back-to-back events
The Conference itself will take place on 16 September. However on the the day preceding (15 September), several back-to-back events have been scheduled:
- Interreg Event: Building Synergies amongst Interreg Programs
- Blue Challenge: Interreg Project Development training programme
- WestMED Steering Committee Meeting and Technical Visit (invite-only)
Visit the event website for more information and registration