- Finnova also took the opportunity to showcase different ways the European Union funds tools to combat climate change.
- ONE-BLUE will investigate the effects of emerging pollutants on marine biodiversity in the Atlantic, Arctic and Mediterranean oceans.
03/12/2024, Brussels. The Finnova Foundation presented the ONE-BLUE project on Monday 2 December within the framework of the Open Science Forum of Latin America and the Caribbean (CILAC Forum) held in Colombia. Through the event ‘International collaborative projects: assessing the levels and impact of pollutants of emerging concern in the oceans’, organised by the Foundation itself, our representatives presented this and other initiatives that care for the environment in which we are partners. The event was part of the CILAC 2024 Forum, a science hub in Latin America and the Caribbean, which is a regional platform to discuss how to strengthen and implement effective science, technology and innovation (STI) policies in line with the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda.
The event consisted of a first remote part, with Paulina Menem, Finnova’s Project Assistant, in charge of welcoming and moderating the event. After that, Clara Sierra, Project Manager of ONE-BLUE, gave a presentation explaining the project’s general lines. Sierra pointed out the main actions carried out in the project during this year, focusing on the sampling campaigns carried out in the Arctic Ocean, the Irish Sea and the Mediterranean Sea.
Next, Jon Larrachea, Communication Manager at Finnova, explained various existing mechanisms for the protection of the environment through European funding. The characteristics of the LIFE and Horizon Europe programmes were detailed, exemplifying their functions through the RES4CITY and LIFE COSTAdapta projects, and finally, he mentioned some of Finnova’s activities in Latin America, focusing on the projects we have aligned with the AL-INVEST Verde and Adelante 2 programmes.
Representatives of the Corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios (UNIMINUTO), an entity with which Finnova has collaborated in previous activities, were present in person. Andrea Vivied Medina, programme director of the UNIMINUTO University, and Jhon Jairo Monje, professor of the Environmental Engineering Programme at this university, gave an open talk on biofactories as an alternative to sustainability and the strengthening of the solidarity economy for the development of the territories.
Finally, Cristina de Benito, researcher associated with the EULAC Energytran project and researcher at the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), was in charge of closing the conference. De Benito presented the EULAC Energytran project, which addresses the energy transition through the exchange, generation and transfer of knowledge between EU infrastructures and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) from a multidisciplinary approach (technological, environmental and social). EULAC Energytran also supports the development of public policies and regulatory frameworks promoting a clean, sustainable and just transition to move towards a resilient society.
Finnova, a commitment to environmental education
The organization of this event by the Foundation in this project confirms our firm commitment to initiatives that are committed to environmental protection. Thanks to this platform, Finnova will be able to contribute to the dissemination of ONE-BLUE and has been able to expose how the EU works to bring these initiatives that promote sustainability in Latin America.
About ONE-BLUE
ONE-BLUE, a research initiative funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme. With a budget of over €6.2 million, ONE-BLUE focuses on research into the impact of emerging pollutants and the effects of climate change on marine biodiversity, thus contributing to the understanding and preservation of our aquatic ecosystems.
About Horizon Europe
Horizon Europe is the EU’s new framework programme for research and innovation (2021-2027), the successor to Horizon 2020, with a budget of over €95 billion. Its objectives include combating climate change, aligning with the SDGs and boosting EU competitiveness. It seeks to achieve scientific, technological, economic and societal impact, strengthening the scientific and technological bases and competitiveness of Member States. The Commission believes that Europe’s future depends on its leadership in research and innovation, and Horizon Europe seeks to address global challenges such as health, ageing, security, pollution and climate change.
About FINNOVA
FINNOVA is the Spanish-Belgian non-profit foundation based in Brussels and Spain, working for the promotion and development of innovation and entrepreneurship in the EU. FINNOVA’s experience in leading communication and dissemination activities for European projects is combined with a proven track record in business creation and entrepreneurship support programmes, such as accelerators, incubators and events, as well as its commitment to training and employability of young people.