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The European Commission has launched a call for evidence to shape the European Oceans Pact, a political initiative that aims to promote sustainable ocean management and ensure the health, resilience, and productivity of the oceans and thus the prosperity of the EU’s coastal communities. The pact was announced by President von der Leyen in her political guidelines for the next European Commission (2024-2029).

The call for evidence will run until 17 February 2025, with the Commission expecting to receive a wide range of contributions from stakeholders, experts, and citizens. The feedback collected will be used to shape the European Oceans Pact, which the Commission aims to present in time for the 3rd UN Ocean Conference in June 2025.

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Tech.mt, in collaboration with the Ministry for the Economy, Enterprise and Strategic Projects (MEEP) and The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry, is inviting you to participate in the upcoming events under the umbrella of inMalta:

  • GITEX Europe, set to take place in Berlin, between the 21st – 23rd May 2025
  • London Tech Week, set to take place in London, between the 9th – 11th June 2025

The inMalta consortium, which includes Tech.mt, Malta Enterprise, FinanceMalta, GamingMalta, and the Malta Digital Innovation Authority (MDIA), is committed to solidify Malta’s reputation as an emerging leader in the global technology…

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Shape Innovation to Address Marine Pollution by Sharing Your Solutions and Needs

  • Are you the owner of an innovative solution to address marine or water pollution?
  • Are you seeking for solutions and support to fight pollution in the Mediterranean basin Ocean and Waters?

Help BlueMissionMed in understanding how to better support your needs by responding to few questions!

The EU funded project BlueMissionMed, is committed to bridging the gap between innovative solutions and the Mediterranean community. Our goal is to empower businesses, technology developers, policymakers, and society at large to adopt and implement transformative innovations. By working together, we can build a…

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The growth of microorganisms, algae and animals on the surface of structures in contact with water, known as biofouling, damages boats and marine infrastructures and requires control actions to preserve their integrity.

Most of the removal actions involve the use of biocides and antifouling coatings containing toxic components. These chemicals contaminate the water column and enter the trophic web. This means that toxic compounds used to prevent organisms from ruining marine structures and equipment have the potential to end up in the fish we eat. An example of these toxic compounds used in the past is tributyltin (TBT). This marine biocide commonly used for its anti-biofouling property is very toxic and scientists found that it accumulates in the organisms’ tissue, and it can disrupt the endocrine system. Due to its toxicity, the European Commission Parliament banned TBT in 2004. Following this regulation, new…

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We all know that the Maltese Islands featured its own special miniaturized ‘megafauna’, with pygmy elephants and giant swans roaming a landscape we would struggle to recognise today. But when did these animals die out, and why? How many of them really lived alongside one another? Where did they come from, and what were the ecological consequences of their loss?

Through a prestigious National Geographic Grant, Prof. Eleanor Scerri, a Maltese scientist at the Max Planck Institute for Geoanthropology in Germany, and the University of Malta‘s Department of Classics and Archaeology, hopes to address these questions. The grant, one of only ten awarded globally, follows on from a 1.5-million-euro European Research Grant, to invest in an ongoing programme of research that is transforming what we know about the deep past…

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2024 marks the 40th anniversary of the EU’s first funding programme dedicated to science, research and innovation.  It all started in 1984 with the launch of the Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development, worth €3.8 billion. 

Over the years, European Commission have invested more and expanded their focus to tackle global challenges, harness technology, and meet the changing needs of our societies. Each EU research programme has delivered new knowledge and solutions to challenges in areas that matter to Europeans and global citizens alike.

To celebrate this milestone, they are sharing 40 stories to illustrate the breadth of R&I made possible through EU R&I funding and some of the results achieved over the last 40 years. 

Visit the below link to read the 40 stories booklet.

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Endorsed by the #OceanDecade, the WCMB 2026 will provide a platform for policymakers, scientists, conservationists, industry representatives, and other stakeholders to discuss current and emerging marine biodiversity issues and identify ways to protect and sustainably manage marine ecosystems and their resources. It will offer a unique opportunity to evaluate ongoing initiatives and identify what still needs to be achieved by the Decade's end.

Submit your session proposal focused on the theme: “The marine biodiversity insights we need, for the ocean we want.” Sessions can centre around networks, projects, initiatives, or key scientific topics of broad…

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The OPoBiCell project, focuses on transforming waste from olive oil production into valuable bioactive compounds with potential health benefits, including anti-cancer properties. This innovative project combines advanced extraction methods, cell culture, and molecular analysis to understand and optimize the health benefits of olive pomace. Below, we explore the project’s methodologies, focusing on extraction with methanol, cell viability testing and protein analysis, liposome encapsulation and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

Olive Pomace Extraction with Methanol

Methanol extraction is an efficient way to isolate phenolic compounds, antioxidants, and other bioactive molecules from olive pomace (Jakopic et al., 2009). In the OPoBiCell project, methanol was used in order to its effectiveness in breaking down cell walls, allowing the release of phenolics…

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In a constantly evolving world of medical devices, the MaltaHip Project presents an advancement in prosthetic technology that aims to tackle some of the persistent challenges associated with traditional hip implants. Requiring an interdisciplinary approach, the MaltaHip brought together Prof. Pierre Schembri-Wismayer (Department of Anatomy), Prof. Ing. Pierluigi Mollicone (Department of Mechanical Engineering), and Prof Ing. Joseph Buhagiar, Dr Ing. Donald Dalli, Dr Leonardo Fanton, and Prof. Ing. Bertram Mallia (Department of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering). This multidisciplinary team from the…

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As the year draws to a close, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for your invaluable contributions to the research & innovation community.

Together, we have fostered collaborations, shared knowledge and pushed boundaries, driving impactful progress.

In the new year stay connected with the latest updates on plumtri.org, your platform for collaborations and growth opportunities.

Happy Holidays from plumtri.org Team.

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In a rapidly evolving global landscape, research and innovation (R&I) are pivotal for sustainable growth, economic development, and addressing pressing societal challenges. Omar Cutajar, Senior Director at Xjenza Malta, sheds light on the organisation’s strategic funding initiatives, industry collaborations, and international R&I partnerships.

With an increased allocation for the FUSION national portfolio for R&I programmes, and a bold vision for sectors such as health, smart manufacturing, marine and maritime technologies, sustainable resources, aviation, and even space research, Xjenza Malta is positioning Malta as a key player in the European R&I ecosystem.

Xjenza Malta has significantly expanded its budget to support the FUSION programme, growing from €5 million to €6.3 million, thanks to the new appropriations provided by Government’s 2025 budget.

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The VI Ministerial Conference of the 5+5 Dialogue on Research, Innovation, and Higher Education was held today, December 6, 2024, in Lisbon, Portugal, under the Presidency of Portugal and the Co-Presidency of Mauritania. The conference was attended by Ministers of Education, University and Research and the Heads of Delegation from Algeria, France, Italy, Malta, Morocco, Libya, Spain, Portugal, and Tunisia, along with observer delegates from the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA), and the Mediterranean Universities Union (UNIMED).

The 5+5 Dialogue is a key intergovernmental forum aimed at fostering collaboration among Western Mediterranean countries in strategic areas such as science, technology,…

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The CNR-ISMed is launching a “Call for Chapters” for the 2025 edition of Mediterranean Economies, “The Mediterranean between Economy and Geopolitics: Global Challenges and New Balances” edited by Salvatore Capasso and Giovanni Canitano @edizionimulino

Deadline: December 30, 2024

Visit the below link to read the full call specifications.

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Transitional care refers to the coordination and continuity of healthcare during transitions from one healthcare setting to another or to home, involving healthcare practitioners and settings as patients' conditions and care needs evolve during the course of a chronic or acute illness.

This questionnaire aims to capture the perspectives of relevant stakeholders to assess the impacts and challenges of promoting innovation in transitional healthcare.

Participate in this survey by visiting the below link.

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A JRC study applies an innovative model to estimate the healthcare workforce needed in the EU until 2071, while taking into account current and future turnover of health professionals, demographic change and healthy ageing. Based on data from 2021, the model allows to make projections for a period of 50 years at individual country and EU level. 

The study Healthcare workforce demand and supply in the EU27 can help national authorities across EU countries to anticipate needs and plan staffing of healthcare services in the long-term to address the demographic challenges of the ageing EU population and the healthcare workforce.

The ageing population in Europe is driving an increased demand for healthcare services, with the proportion of citizens aged 65 and over expected…

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Plastic plays a crucial role in our daily lives; however, it also poses significant global environmental and economic concerns. As plastics enter the ocean, they break down into smaller particles—microplastics and nanoplastics—due to factors such as UV rays, wind, and other environmental influences. These particles are ubiquitous, threatening marine ecosystems and human health. In response to this growing issue, JPI Oceans launched a transnational joint call in 2014 titled "Ecological Aspects of Microplastics in the Marine Environment", which resulted in the funding of four projects running from 2016 to 2019. The findings generated on ecotoxicological effects of microplastics, the weathering of plastics, and baselines for microplastics analyses in European basins are summarised in a short brochure.  

Building on the results from the first call, a…

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Malta has secured its first-ever Horizon Europe European Research Council (ERC) Grant, awarded to Dr. Huw Groucutt, a lecturer in Mediterranean prehistory at the Department of Classics and Archaeology within the Faculty of Arts, at the University of Malta.

With nearly €2 million in funding under the prestigious ERC Consolidator Grant scheme, the TerraForm project will embark on a groundbreaking study into the origins, evolution, and impacts of agricultural terracing in Malta.

Terracing, a farming technique that uses stone walls to retain soil on sloping land, has long been hailed as a cornerstone of sustainable agriculture. It mitigates soil erosion and prevents flooding. As one of the most intensively terraced landscapes globally, Malta presents an extraordinary opportunity to investigate the development and significance of this practice. While the origins of Maltese terraces…

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The EU’s Regional Flagship Projects Call (EMFAF-2025-PIA-FLAGSHIP), focuses on fostering Smart Specialization and Innovation in the sustainable blue economy (Topic 1).

The 3Sea4All Project proposal aims to foster regional cooperation across three European maritime basins—the Atlantic, West Mediterranean, and Black Sea—by uniting key stakeholders from the quadruple and quintuple helix (research, industry, public institutions, civil society, and active citizens).

Key Objectives of the project:

  • Governance: Identify innovative policies and develop financial support mechanisms for enterprises.
  • Academia: Launch joint R&D activities, promote training programs,…

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The Youth4Ocean Forum is inviting young leaders to apply to become EU Young Ocean Advocates and help champion Blue Citizenship at the UN Ocean Conference 2025! Selected advocates will support collective efforts to bring the concept of Blue Citizenship—linking ocean literacy with active participation in democracy—to a global stage. Applications are open until November 30, 2024.

What is Blue Citizenship?

Blue Citizenship connects the idea of ocean literacy with civic responsibility, encouraging individuals and communities to participate in protecting the ocean just as they would in supporting democracy. This initiative emphasizes that everyone has a role in the health and sustainability of the ocean. By enhancing understanding of ocean policies and governance, Blue Citizenship empowers people to advocate for policies that ensure marine conservation and sustainable use…

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Carmen Frendo, Senior Lecturer at the Institute of Business, Management & Commerce, MCAST   was invited to showcase the UNIMED project at the MED-WET final project event on 28 October 2024. The event was aimed at the exploration of sustainable water management solutions for farming communities in the Mediterranean region.

MED-WET is an initiative which aims at providing efficient low-cost and nature-based technologies and practices to improve the irrigation efficiency of small farmers in the Mediterranean region. The project involves partners from Malta, Germany, Egypt, Morocco and Portugal. MED-WET is 100% funded by Xjenza Malta through the PRIMA Programme, which is supported by the European Union.

The aim of the UNIMED project is to develop a unified, indicator-based, framework to better assess, adapt and ultimately cope with agricultural droughts under Mediterranean climate change conditions.…

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