Blending Blue & Green for Real Sustainability – Brussels

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Baltic Sea % Space Cluster has participated in the Blending Blue & Green for Real Sustainability – Event in Brussels by Diesis Network.

What happens when blue meets green through the lens of the social economy? On 23–24 September 2025, Diesis Network was organised an event “Blending Blue and Green for Real Sustainability: advancing competitiveness through sustainable practices across Land and Sea” in Brussels.

This two-day gathering combines two milestones:

  • the Bluedots European Living Lab, a capacity-building event designed to foster collaboration among social economy actors and beyond in the Blue Economy;
  • the final event of the GRAINS, marking the end of a two-year journey supporting the green transition of SMEs across Europe and beyond, and showcasing its results and long-term sustainability outlook.

Together, Bluedots and GRAINS EU-funded projects, will create a unique space to explore synergies between the Blue and Green economies, exchange best practices, and highlight innovative pathways for the twin transition. Expect high-level roundtables, panel discussions, interactive workshops, and stories of resilience and innovation from across Europe.

While the event is by invitation, insights and resources will be shared afterwards with everyone.

Opening remarks:
Welcome by Luca Pastorelli, Diesis Network, Executive President.
Introduction to event objectives and the importance of blending blue and green economy approaches.

Marta Bruschi, GRAINS project, Project Manager.
Francisco Martinez, Bluedots project, Project Manager.

 High-level roundtable: “Blue and Green Economies – European Policy Perspectives for Sustainable Transitions”
Introduction of panellists and context-setting Current EU policy frameworks supporting blue and green economy integration.

Moderated discussion with:
Mia Rossi- Gray, Directorate-General for Employment, Social
Affairs and Inclusion, DG EMPL
Sheila JJ Heymans, European Marine Board
Urszula Budzich Tabor, Rural Pact Support Office
Stephanos Kirkagaslis, DG Agri Unit B2 – Environmental Sustainability
Felix Leinemann, Head of Unit MARE.A.2

Panel discussion: “Social Economy as a Driver for Sustainable Transitions”

Moderated by Chris Gordon, ISEN (Ireland)
Exploring how social economy organisations can lead regenerative approaches:
Digital capacity building & impact incubation for transitions – GROUPE SOS PULSE (France)
Skills for Transition – Erdmuthe Klaer-Morselli , REVES aisbl, (SKI.F.T. project)
CSA & short supply chains: governance and participation tools Netzwerk Solidarische Landwirtschaft e.V. (Germany)
Support for SEs in specialised knowledge and skills through mentoring services, education and investment – PSC Platform for
Social Change (Ukraine)

Best practices showcase: “Successful Models from Bluedots & GRAINS”

Recycllux – Turning sea plastic pollution from a global burden
into an actionable opportunity (Romania)
SuperCoop Bremen eG (Germany) – Consumer cooperative
model: democracy, local supply chains, and digital tools
The Routes of the Olive Tree (Greece) – Blue/green cultural
tourism & digital storytelling
Defood- (Poland)- Empowering Sustainable Agriculture through
AI and Digital Transformation
Casalina (Italy) – Rural innovation in south Italy
CETENMA – Technology Center for Energy and the Environment
(Spain) – Empower project

Bluedots networking sessions: “Connecting Enabling Organizations and SMEs”

Moderated by Francisco Martinez, Diesis Network
Business Speed Dating:

Introduction to the session format
Lightning presentations (2 minutes each)

Enabling organizations presenting their support offerings
SMEs presenting their needs and innovations
Q&A and preparation for structured networking


Track 2 – GRAINS session & best practices showcase
Moderated by Marta Bruschi, Diesis Network
Introduction and Overview Session Chair
Presenting the outputs of advisory and mentoring
Present key outputs on Capacity Building and Training
materials
Short presentation of Policy Recommendations

Interactive workshop for SMEs: “Identifying Synergies Between Blue and Green Approaches”
Introduction to workshop objectives and methodology
Small group discussions
Mapping complementary approaches across sectors
Identifying common challenges and shared solutions
Group presentations of key findings
Synthesis of outcomes and next steps

Closing session
Summary of key insights and outcomes from the event
Next steps for continued collaboration
Closing remarks by Diesis Network representative