The WestMED Blue Economy Initiative is a collaborative effort that aims to promote sustainable development and economic growth in the maritime sectors of participating countries. The initiative provides practical support through its Assistance Mechanism, which consists of blue economy experts. These experts help stakeholders find cross-border project partners, offer assistance with project development, and share funding opportunities.

The Assistance Mechanism also leads discussions on key maritime topics and actively participates in policy discussions at local, national, and regional levels. To further strengthen cross-sea basin synergies, the WestMED Assistance Mechanism has joined forces with the Atlantic Action Plan and the Common Maritime Agenda for the Black Sea. This joint effort allows for more coordinated policy feedback and enhances the overall effectiveness of the initiatives.

The WestMED Initiative operates through a Central Team that coordinates all practical activities, facilitates the National Hubs, and ensures an efficient flow of information among partners. The nine National Hubs, located in Algeria, France, Italy, Malta, Mauritania, Morocco, Portugal, Spain, and Tunisia, consist of national experts with extensive networks and knowledge of funding opportunities. These Hubs offer tailored guidance on project development, funding opportunities, and partner matchmaking, while also addressing local priorities.

The WestMED Blue Economy Initiative collaborates with various thematic groups, such as AquaWest, Maritime Clusters Alliance, Green Shipping, and Maritime Spatial Planning, to promote concrete actions and advancements in the maritime sector. It also establishes strategic partnerships with organizations like ASCAME and INTERREG EURO-MED PROGRAMME 2021-27, focusing on networking activities, coordinated actions, and productive exchanges to achieve shared goals. The Initiative has formed a consortium with the Assistance Mechanisms from the Black Sea and the Atlantic, combining their expertise and networks to deliver robust outcomes.

The consortium is led by Ecorys, a renowned consulting company specializing in Blue Growth initiatives and project coordination. Other consortium partners include AETS, specializing in development cooperation, and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC), offering advisory services. Each partner focuses on their respective sea basin while leveraging synergies on central-level services.

Overall, the WestMED Blue Economy Initiative, supported by the European Commission under the EMFF, strives to foster sustainable and prosperous maritime economies through collaboration, expertise, and strategic partnerships