On June 26, 2026, the Turning Blue project marked its final conference at the Templo da Poesia, in Oeiras, Portugal, bringing together national and international partners, professionals, companies and stakeholders, for a day dedicated to the crossroads between the blue economy, criminal justice, reintegration, employability, and social innovation.
 
The day opened with a welcome address from João Melo, and a TED Talk overview of the project presented by Rita Lourenço and Max ter Beek, followed by an interactive activity, The Fishing Game. Then, participants had the chance to explore the Turning Blue Gallery and join hands-on workshops on employability within the criminal justice system. The afternoon brought a participatory seminar, moderated by Cor Blonk, and a panel discussion on the European challenges and opportunities of reintegration, moderated by Claire Machan, alongside testimonies from young people themselves. The day closed with remarks from project leaders Sandra Cruz and Tiago Leitão, followed by a cocktail dinner featuring live music and products made by young people from Leiria Youth Prison.

Project Results: From Job Search to Long-Term Support
 
João Melo, from Aproximar, presented the Turning Blue job-matching platform, which links the blue economy with the justice system, with the purpose of giving young people who are deprived of liberty a chance to find job opportunities after their release. By accessing it, people can find available jobs and educational support. Given that young people in prison don't have access to the internet, professionals working in the justice system can create profiles on their behalf, while professionals in the blue economy field post job opportunities directly - turning a second chance into a real, tangible opportunity.
 
Cor Blonk, from the Pelagic Freezer Trawler Association, shared how the Turning Blue mentoring guide supports those who work with vulnerable young people, such as mentors, supervisors, trainers, and many more, by providing practical guidance, structure, and communication approaches. He described mentoring as a journey, offering a direction and embracing the idea of a second chance. As he explained, the blue economy's structured, disciplined environment, with clear routines and visible results, makes it especially well suited for reintegration. His key message was centered on the idea that a mentor is more than a supervisor – they are a role model, a source of stability, helping build trust, develop skills, boost self-confidence, and prepare young people for the future, long after they've found a job.

On 18 June 2026, the Turning Blue partnership will organise the second European webinar in the project series: Turning Blue | Navigating Youth Employment in the Blue Economy. The online session will take place between 16:00–17:30 CET and will bring together employers, maritime stakeholders, training providers, reintegration professionals, and policy actors from across Europe.
This webinar will focus on how employers, support services, and training providers can work together to create more inclusive and realistic employment pathways within the maritime sector and the wider Blue Economy.
During the session, participants will:

• Explore workforce and skills needs within the Blue Economy
• Reflect on common concerns and barriers related to inclusive hiring
• Discuss how mentorship and structured support can facilitate successful transitions into employment
• Discover the Turning Blue Job-Matching Platform and its practical applications
• Exchange experiences and ideas on collaboration between employers, intermediaries, and reintegration actors

The webinar builds on the discussions initiated during the first Turning Blue EU webinar and continues the project’s focus on developing practical bridges between justice systems, vocational training, and labour market opportunities.

Presenting the Turning Blue Transition ModelA central highlight of the event was the deep dive into the Turning Blue Transition Model. This framework serves as a bridge between justice, vocational training, and employment, offering a specialized approach to the unique needs of disadvantaged youth.

​During the breakout discussions, attendees actively contributed to navigating the challenges of scaling such initiatives and identifying the specific organizational needs required to make these transitions seamless for both the youth and the hiring companies.

​Looking Ahead: June 2026
This webinar marks the first installment of a two-part EU series aimed at strengthening inclusive pathways. The insights gathered will directly shape our upcoming activities.
We invite our community to look forward to:

• The Second EU Webinar (June 2026): Focused on employer engagement, mentorship structures, and the official demonstration of the Turning Blue job-matching platform.
• The Final Conference (June 26, 2026): Where the project's consolidated results and future roadmap will be presented.

​Thank you to everyone who participated and contributed to this meaningful dialogue. Together, we are turning the tide for youth reintegration.

Join us for a insightful webinar hosted by the Turning Blue partnership, taking place on 19 March 2026 (15:00–16:30 CET).

This online event will bring together stakeholders from justice, education, employment, and the Blue Economy to explore how structured reintegration pathways can support justice-involved youth into sustainable maritime careers.
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During the webinar, participants will:

• Gain insight into how justice and Blue Economy actors can collaborate effectively
• Explore practical examples of structured reintegration pathways
• Reflect on common hesitations and confidence-building strategies when engaging justice-involved youth
• Learn about the Turning Blue Transition Model and its cross-sector approach
• Contribute to shaping the focus of the second EU webinar, dedicated to mentorship and the job-matching platform

Participation is free of charge.

This webinar marks the first in a two-part EU series aimed at strengthening inclusive workforce pathways within the Blue Economy. The second session, scheduled for June 2026, will focus on employer engagement, mentorship structures, and the Turning Blue job-matching platform.

The blue economy consists of the use of marine resources for the growth and development of the economy through the creation of jobs and the provision of livelihoods, with particular attention to the preservation and sustainability of the environment and ecosystems.

It is precisely because of its potential that the Ministry for Civil Protection and Maritime Policies, in collaboration with the European House - Ambrosetti, inaugurated the first edition of the Sea Resource Forum in Italy last year. During the event, the Government presented the National Sea Plan: the ministerial instrument for the debut of a maritime policy made up of 16 directives, which include environmental enhancement, logistics and the development of the port system.

The National Sea Plan, with its 16 directives, has identified 8 strategic investment areas. These areas, crucial for the country's economic system, aim to channel public and private investments into the most promising sea-related supply chains. This strategic approach fosters cohesion among sector operators and actively encourages collaboration between the public and private sectors, paving the way for sustainable growth and development in the marine industry.
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The initiative focuses on the competitiveness and attractiveness of the seafood supply chain as a whole, aggregating the different components of the political and socio-economic system of the Mediterranean around the priorities of intervention and promotion for the sector, especially from an industrial perspective. 

The Sea Resource Forum is not a one-time event but a recurring one, designed to be held annually. It also showcases the diversity of the country's port cities, as each edition is hosted in a different city. The first edition, held in Trieste on 14 and 15 September 2023, was a resounding success. The second edition is set to take place in Palermo on 19 and 20 September 2024, promising to be another milestone in the marine industry's calendar.

Source: ​https://www.ambrosetti.eu/scenario-sud/risorsa-mare/