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Dear Colleagues,
On behalf of the organizing partners, I am pleased to present the "UNIDO–WTCA Blue Economy Global Call 2026," the first joint global initiative promoted by UNIDO and WTCA fostering entrepreneurship, industrial and trade development, and international cooperation.
The 2026 Global Call, which will be officially launched at the 2026 WTCA Global Business Forum this April, aims to identify and promote readily deployable and scalable innovative and impact-driven solutions contributing to an inclusive and sustainable development of the Blue Economy for each of the six strategic categories: - Blue renewable energy
- Sustainable blue food
- Green maritime transport and smart ports
- Coastal and marine tourism & recreation
- Sea, lakes and river health & restoration
- Blue tech & Biotechnology
The initiative seeks to mobilize startups, all size of enterprises (MSMEs), research centers and individual researchers, innovators, academic institutions, public-private partnership initiatives, NGOs, and in general innovation ecosystems worldwide. The winning solutions (one each category) will enter an acceleration program under the UNIDO-WTCA umbrella and benefit from the UNIDO and WTCA expertise, network, and high-level mentoring.
Supported by UNIDO’s technical cooperation, selected projects will receive potential pilot opportunities in partner countries, while through the WTCA’s business development platforms, companies will access business programs, new markets and expand worldwide. Both institutions will provide direct support for scaling up and matchmaking services to enhance start-ups impact and success.
Given the unique role that each WTCA Member plays within its local business ecosystem, we warmly invite your WTC business to actively engage in this global initiative by: - Promoting the Call within your respective territory and networks;
- Identifying and encouraging high-potential applicants to participate;
- Supporting outreach to relevant stakeholders, institutions, clusters, and enterprises operating in Blue Economy-related sectors; and
- Contributing to the visibility and positioning of the initiative at local and national levels.
Furthermore, we kindly ask you to inform us of the potential forms of support your WTC business may be willing to offer for free to selected winners, such as: - Soft-landing services and market entry support;
- Business matching and access to local corporate and institutional networks;
- Mentorship and advisory services;
- Incubation/acceleration opportunities;
- Access to co-working spaces, offices, meeting rooms, or event venues;
- Communication and visibility opportunities; and
- Any additional benefits or tailored services relevant to your territory.
Your contribution will be instrumental in building a coordinated global support framework for the selected projects, enhancing their internationalization pathways and maximizing their impact.
We would be grateful if you could kindly reply to this email to confirm your interest in participating in this initiative and share a brief outline of the support your WTC business may provide. After the launch in April, further operational details and communication materials will be shared upon confirmation of engagement.
We look forward to your valued collaboration in making the "UNIDO–WTCA Blue Economy Global Call 2026" a truly global and impactful initiative.
With kind regards,
Cristina Sbaizero UNIDO-WTCA Liaison WTCA Board of Directors CEO, WTC Trieste
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