The EFFECTIVE project participated in the Digital Transformation Summit 2026 in Funchal, Madeira, contributing to the workshop “Digital solutions and innovations enabling healthier, safer and more resilient waters and oceans.”
Bringing together a diverse group of EU-funded initiatives, the workshop explored how digital technologies, AI-driven tools, interoperable environmental data systems, and innovative monitoring solutions are helping address some of the most pressing challenges facing Europe’s waters and oceans – including pollution, biodiversity loss, and climate change impacts.
The session featured projects including Restore4Life, EFFECTIVE, AUTOASSESS, REMEDIES, iMERMAID, TASC-RESTOREMED, and ADT4Blue, each presenting practical and scalable solutions supporting the sustainable transition of the Blue Economy.
EFFECTIVE Highlights Nature-Based Restoration and Digital Innovation
Representing EFFECTIVE, Vukašin Orsić (F6S) presented the project’s integrated approach to restoring and managing Mediterranean Marine Protected Areas through the combination of:
- Coral nurseries and transplantation activities
- Reef restoration systems
- Innovative nature-based solutions, including bio-enhanced structures
- The COSEA Citizen Science App
- The Digital Twin of Blue Parks
The presentation highlighted how EFFECTIVE combines real-world restoration interventions with smart monitoring and digital tools to support ecosystem-based management and evidence-based decision-making in marine environments.
Particular attention was given to the project’s use of digital technologies to transform complex marine data into accessible insights for MPA managers, policymakers, researchers, and local communities. The COSEA App was showcased as a participatory tool enabling citizens to actively contribute observations related to marine ecosystems, while the Digital Twin demonstrator illustrated how environmental data, monitoring systems, and modelling outputs can be integrated into a single interactive environment.
Interactive Discussions on Digital Transformation for Ocean Resilience
The workshop combined short solution-focused pitches with an engaging panel discussion addressing key cross-cutting challenges, including:
- Data interoperability
- Digital literacy and innovation uptake
- Citizen engagement
- AI and digital tools for environmental monitoring
- Scaling innovative solutions across marine and coastal regions
The session also fostered dialogue between innovators, policymakers, regional authorities, researchers, and investors interested in accelerating the deployment of digital solutions for healthier and more resilient waters.
Best Workshop Award
The workshop received the BEST WORKSHOP Award, recognising its excellence in workshop design, participant engagement, and overall impact during the Digital Transformation Summit 2026.
The award reflects the strong collaboration between participating projects and the growing importance of digital innovation in supporting marine ecosystem restoration, environmental monitoring, and sustainable blue economy transitions across Europe.
EFFECTIVE is proud to have contributed to this collaborative discussion and looks forward to continuing to strengthen synergies with other Mission Ocean and Horizon Europe initiatives working towards healthier, safer, and more resilient waters and oceans.
