Provide guidance to shape the future of atlantic area

Provide guidance to shape the future of atlantic area

In the Atlantic Area, European projects are delivering solutions that work. GRAAL is here to give them momentum: to connect results with public decision-making and turn innovation into concrete action for territories.

Discover

GRAAL project

A project of strategic importance under the Interreg Atlantic Area programme, GRAAL (Governance and Regional Atlantic Area Lighthouse) runs from 04/04/2025 to 30/06/2029, with a total budget of €4.3 million, including €3.2 million financed by the ERDF.

Our direction is clear: accelerate environmental protection, strengthen prosperity and improve climate-change preparedness. To achieve this, GRAAL identifies what works, analyses it, gives it visibility and creates the conditions for these solutions to be taken up, scaled up and integrated into public policies.

Through a structured approach—strategic dialogue, roadmaps, an action plan and flagship projects—GRAAL strengthens coordination among European initiatives and makes transnational cooperation a lever to shape a sustainable future for Atlantic regions.

Objective of the GRAAL project

👉 To improve the impact of the Atlantic Area Programme on its environmental and climate objectives by strengthening results valorisation and programme governance.

Issue 1

Identifie and assesses the results of past and ongoing projects

Issue 2

Analyse their contribution to environmental challenges

Issue 3

Develop transnational roadmaps and action plans

Issue 4

Issues recommendations to improve coordination among European programmes, in particular those supported by the ERDF

GRAAL project action themes

A project aligned with European priorities

Co-financed by the Interreg Atlantic Area programme under Call 2 of the 2021–2027 programming period, GRAAL is fully in line with the European Union’s key strategic orientations: the European Green Deal, the Atlantic Maritime Strategy and its Action Plan, EU policies on climate, biodiversity and water quality, improved governance of European programmes. The project maintains regular dialogue with the European institutions and the relevant Directorates-General in order to share its analyses and recommendations for future policy developments.

GRAAL structures its work around five priority areas and three cross-cutting themes. This approach combines technical expertise with a strategic vision, ensuring comprehensive coverage of the needs and specificities of the Atlantic Area.

5 priority
areas

Marine renewable energy production

Ocean pollution

Climate change adaptation and risk prevention

Nature conservation and protection

Sustainable tourism

3 cross-cutting
strands

Digitalisation and innovation

Circular economy and energy transition

Governance and public policies

Our method:
key stages of the process

GRAAL is based on a four-step approach

1

 

Inventory projects and check the availability of their results and data

2

 

Assess their contribution to environmental challenges

3

 

Develop transnational roadmaps and action plans

4

 

Formulate recommendations to improve governance and coordination of funding

Join the initiative

GRAAL is an open platform for cooperation. Public authorities, economic actors, research centres and regional networks are invited to contribute to the work of the Policy Lab and participate in the collective dynamic.

Together, let us strengthen the impact of European projects 
for a more resilient, sustainable and innovative Atlantic region.


Contact us