On July 4, the Italian ministries of Infrastructure and Transport (MIT), Environment and Energy Security (MASE), and Economy and Finance (MEF) signed a joint decree identifying state-owned maritime areas suitable for the development of offshore renewable infrastructure hubs — key industrial sites dedicated to the construction and pre-assembly of components for offshore wind and marine energy systems.
The decree designates Taranto and Augusta as national hubs and allocates €78.3 million 💰 to support the development of these strategic sites. This marks a major step forward in enabling the deployment of approved and pipeline offshore renewable energy projects across Italy, while strengthening the domestic value chain.
We highlight the important role of AERO – the Italian Offshore Renewable Energy Association, which brings together over 50 companies and stakeholders from across the ORE industry. On July 3, AERO hosted its 3rd National Conference, titled “Strategies and Perspectives for the Development of Offshore Renewable Energy in Italy”, at the Chamber of Deputies in Rome. The event was a key moment of dialogue between political representatives and the national offshore renewable industry.
As a proud partner of the Italian CoVE (Centre of Vocational Excellence) and the Shorewinner – Southern European Community for Offshore Wind Energy EU co-funded project, IFOA warmly thanks AERO for the opportunity to participate in this high-level strategic event.
The University of Cyprus hosted a forward-looking and collaborative event titled “BUILDING A SKILLED WORKFORCE IN OFFSHORE RENEWABLE ENERGY”, gathering educators, industry leaders and experts, students, and policymakers to co-create actionable strategies for workforce development in the growing offshore renewable energy (ORE) sector.
Held at the UCY Library “Stelios Ioannou” and streamed online, the event was structured into two interactive sessions:
The Co-Design Session (10:00–12:00) focused on identifying current gaps and opportunities across education and training systems. Key discussion areas included:
Assessing how vocational education and training (VET) and higher education (HE) programmes align with ORE industry needs
Identifying skill gaps and potential areas for industry-academia collaboration
Evaluating the effectiveness of current teaching methods, including experiential and digital learning tools
Proposing improvements to training methods to better prepare learners
Exploring student career interest and engagement with ORE pathways
Addressing preparedness gaps and the support mechanisms needed to guide students into ORE careers.
The Workshop Session (12:00–14:15) transitioned the conversation toward strategic implementation and collaboration. Key themes included:
Aligning curricula with rapidly evolving technologies and industry requirements
Addressing immediate skill gaps through flexible, targeted training approaches
Enhancing student engagement via real-world interaction with industry stakeholders
Identifying key stakeholders essential for roadmap development and implementation
Exploring types of partnerships that can support long-term collaboration
Developing strategies to engage stakeholders across sectors
Ensuring the sustainability of collaborations through institutional and policy support
The event closed with a networking session that enabled participants to forge connections and explore collaborative pathways for implementing the proposed roadmap.
By integrating insights from both academic and industry spheres, this event marked a crucial step toward equipping future professionals with the skills needed to thrive in the offshore renewable energy sector.
Never has it been more urgent to recognize the impact of mental and physical health on ourselves and on those who work alongside us. In the offshore industry, we often speak about Workplace Health and Safety, yet the conversation remains overwhelmingly focused on physical risks. We are trained to prevent falls, respond to fires, and avoid machinery accidents. And while this is crucial, the same cannot yet be said for mental health – an area where the industry still has a long way to go.
Important steps have been taken in recent years, and mental health is no longer a completely taboo subject. Yet, despite increased awareness and some progress, issues like burnout, anxiety, and even suicide remain common across the sector. This cannot continue to be seen as a marginal concern. Mental health must become a clear and collective priority across the industry.
Living and Working Offshore: A Perfect Storm for Mental Strain
The unique nature of offshore work only amplifies these concerns. Statistics show that one in six people will experience a mental health issue in the coming year – and offshore workers face even greater risks due to the specific conditions of their work. Life at sea is demanding and isolating. Workers are often stationed in remote, extreme environments for weeks at a time. They operate under rotating shifts that disrupt sleep cycles and erode the boundaries between professional and personal life. Privacy is scarce, with shared cabins and communal spaces leaving little room for rest or mental decompression. On top of that, the constant awareness of work hazards, adverse weather, and emergency risks adds an ongoing layer of tension.
We must also acknowledge the emotional toll of extended separation from family and community. Offshore work can place immense strain on relationships and personal well-being. While it may be unrealistic to expect the structure of offshore work to change dramatically – long shifts and remote locations are inherent to the job – it is entirely realistic, and absolutely necessary, to ensure that every worker is supported both professionally and emotionally.
Psychological First Aid: A Human Response to Human Struggles
So, where do we begin? Change often starts with those who are physically closest to the problem. In this case, it is the offshore workers themselves – those living and working side by side – who are best positioned to recognize distress in one another and to act. This is where Psychological First Aid (PFA) becomes vital.
Psychological First Aid is not therapy. It is a set of simple, human actions designed to reduce immediate emotional distress and help people feel safe, connected, and supported. It is about knowing how to respond when a colleague shows signs of emotional exhaustion, panic, or overwhelm. In offshore environments, where access to professional mental health services may be delayed or unavailable, PFA becomes an essential peer-to-peer safety tool.
The core principles of Psychological First Aid can be organized into six action areas: Protect, Calm, Connect, Competence, Confidence, and Care – as a foundation for supporting others through stress and crisis.
But psychological safety cannot rely solely on individual awareness. Isolation at sea makes early detection of mental health issues more difficult, which means that responsibility must be collective. Building a supportive environment depends on creating a culture where vulnerability is not seen as weakness but as strength. And that culture must be modelled from the top down.
A Call to Action: Education, Leadership, and Culture Change
Leadership plays a key role. Long-term progress depends on embedding mental health into the training and certification of all offshore professionals. Mental health awareness and PFA must become standard parts of offshore education, not optional extras. Workers need to learn how to identify emotional stressors, recognize the signs of distress and take responsible action. This includes training for managers and supervisors, who must understand how to create psychologically safe environments where people can speak up, ask for help and feel supported.
Fortunately, there are already some promising initiatives underway. A few companies are beginning to incorporate mental health into their Workplace Health and Safety programs. Vocational Education and Training (VET) institutions are exploring modules that address psychological risks in high-stress jobs. Some leadership programs introduce components on emotional intelligence and peer support. But we are still far from a coherent, industry-wide culture of mental health prioritization.
For education and training institutions, the next step is clear: courses must include not only the technical and safety competencies required offshore, but also core knowledge about mental health and prevention. Collaboration between technical disciplines and psychology departments can help ensure that mental well-being is integrated across the board – from university programs to workplace inductions. In addition, research into the psychological impact of offshore work must continue to inform better policies and training models.
Companies also have a duty to act. HR departments, supervisors and team leaders must be equipped with the knowledge and tools to recognize signs of anxiety, depression and isolation. Managers must foster a culture of openness and emotional support, where mental well-being is treated with the same importance as physical safety. Dedicated mental health professionals, namely psychologists trained in prevention and crisis intervention, should be part of the workforce ecosystem, either in-house or through formal partnerships; these services must be accessible and normalized.
Ultimately, the offshore sector needs a cultural transformation. And culture does not shift overnight – it moves gradually, through education, leadership, communication and example. It moves when values are redefined, when vulnerability is accepted and when mental well-being is understood not as a private concern but as a shared responsibility.
In a challenging labour market, mental health services and education can also play a key role in attracting and retaining skilled professionals. Workers today seek more than good pay and technical training; they seek support, stability and purpose. If we want to build a resilient and future-ready offshore workforce, we must build a culture that prioritizes mental health.
So we ask ourselves: Are we truly treating our workers as our most valuable asset? Are we really doing everything we can to create safe, healthy environments offshore? And what kind of legacy do we want to leave for those who will follow?
Vulnerability is our strongest weapon—and the truest measure of courage.
Maria Miguel Rodrigues Member of the SHOREWINNER consortium Psychologist (license no. 025882 from Ordem dos Psicólogos Portugueses) E-mail: maria.rodrigues@inova.business
Welcome to the Second Edition of the SHOREWINNER Newsletter!
April 2025
In this second edition, we dive into the exciting developments and updates of the SHOREWINNER project, an ambitious initiative aimed at fostering the growth of the offshore renewable energy sector in Southern Europe. Learn about our recent events, objectives, and the collaborative efforts shaping the future of offshore wind energy.
Important Updates
1. Exciting News for the Offshore Wind Community: Launch of the CoP Platform!
We are thrilled to launch the SHOREWINNER – Southern European Community for Offshore Wind Energy Community of Practice (CoP) platform — a dynamic hub designed to drive Community Development & Governance in the Southern European offshore wind energy sector.
We have created an informative info sheet about the SHOREWINNER project, providing key details and objectives. Access it here: https://shorewinner.eu/info-sheet/
Events Recap
Blue Energy Summit 2025: Shaping the Future of Offshore Renewable Energy
On February 13, 2025, the Blue Energy Summit 2025, a premier event dedicated to offshore renewable energy, successfully brought together over 65 industry leaders, policymakers, researchers, and academics at the Università Politecnica Delle Marche, Ancona, Italy. This hybrid event explored the latest advancements and future opportunities in offshore energy development.
This summit marked a significant milestone as the first thematic conference of the EU-funded project SHOREWINNER, reinforcing its role in advancing offshore renewable energy through innovation, collaboration, and policy development.
– Opening Ceremony: Led by representatives from UNIVPM and P.PORTO, setting the stage for a day of insightful discussions and knowledge sharing.
– Keynote Address: Lorenzo Occhineri from Fastventus Solutions LTD delivered “The Evolution of Offshore Wind Turbines: From 3 MW to 20+ MW – Scaling Up for a Sustainable Future”, emphasizing strategies to enhance offshore energy scalability and sustainability.
– Expert Discussions: Insights into Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs) across Europe (Italy, Cyprus, Greece, Spain, and Portugal), highlighting collaborative efforts to strengthen skill development and drive innovation in offshore energy.
– Industry Challenges: Discussions on workforce development, upskilling, reskilling, and mental health support, emphasizing the need for a resilient and well-prepared workforce in the blue energy sector.
The Blue Energy Summit 2025 successfully fostered critical discussions, strengthened partnerships, and set a clear agenda for the future of offshore renewable energy. As stakeholders continue to collaborate, the summit’s outcomes will play a crucial role in shaping sustainable and resilient offshore energy solutions worldwide.
Second General Assembly Meeting
On February 14, 2025, the project’s partners convened in Ancona, Italy for their 2nd General Assembly Meeting.
Meeting Highlights:
– Review of all deliverables, progress, and dissemination actions from March 2024 to February 2025.
– Updates on ongoing initiatives, upcoming tasks, and events.
– Review of the dissemination log and action plans for each partner.
– Planning for the next meeting schedule and miscellaneous agenda items.
Stay connected for more updates on SHOREWINNER’s exciting journey towards a sustainable offshore energy future!
The Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) sector has a new home for collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and career growth. The SHOREWINNER Platform is now live, offering professionals, students, trainees, and entrepreneurs a dedicated space to connect, learn, and thrive.
What is the SHOREWINNER Platform?
The SHOREWINNER Platform is an innovative online community designed to bring together key players in the ORE industry. Whether you are seeking career opportunities, expert insights, or business development resources, this platform serves as your go-to networking hub.
Key Features of the Platform:
SHOREWINNER Community of Practice (CoP): A dedicated space for members to engage and exchange ideas, fostering collaboration on community development and governance within the offshore wind energy sector.
Competences Platform: Access a wide range of entrepreneurial tools and startup and learning resources, industry best practices, and research materials to enhance your knowledge and professional growth.
Learning Space: Opportunities for continuous learning, skill development, and professional training tailored to the evolving needs of the ORE industry, as well as educational resources including research papers and case studies.
Collaboration Opportunities: Connect with industry experts, facilitate partnerships among SMEs, and gain support for entrepreneurship initiatives to establish or expand businesses in the ORE sector.
Exclusive job opportunities and industry insights: Stay ahead in your career with access to sector-specific job postings, expert perspectives, and the latest industry trends.
Why Join?
By becoming part of the SHOREWINNER community, you gain access to a growing network of experts and like-minded professionals across various EU countries. Engage in meaningful discussions, exchange knowledge, and leverage invaluable resources to propel your career, business, or educational journey forward.
The platform is designed to facilitate the establishment and consolidation of the SHOREWINNER Community of Practice (CoP), serving as a central hub for knowledge sharing, networking, and collaboration among stakeholders in the Southern European offshore wind energy sector.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to connect and grow within the ORE sector. Join us today!
On February 14, 2025, the project’s partners held their 2nd General Assembly Meeting.
During the meeting, partners reviewed all deliverables, progress and dissemination actions from March 2024 to February 2025.
Key discussions included updates on ongoing initiatives, upcoming tasks and events, a review of the dissemination log, action plans for each partner, and the next meeting schedule, along with miscellaneous agenda items.
On February 13, 2025, the Blue Energy Summit 2025, a premier event dedicated to offshore renewable energy, successfully brought together over 65 industry leaders, policymakers, researchers, and academics at the Università Politecnica Delle Marche, Ancona, Italy. This hybrid event explored the latest advancements and future opportunities in offshore energy development.
This summit marked a significant milestone as the first thematic conference of the EU-funded project SHOREWINNER, reinforcing its role in advancing offshore renewable energy through innovation, collaboration, and policy development.
The summit commenced with an Opening Ceremony led by representatives from UNIVPM and P.PORTO, setting the stage for a day of insightful discussions and knowledge sharing.
Lorenzo Occhineri from Fastventus Solutions LTD delivered the keynote address, “The Evolution of Offshore Wind Turbines: From 3 MW to 20+ MW – Scaling Up for a Sustainable Future”, emphasizing strategies to enhance offshore energy scalability and sustainability.
Experts provided insights into Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs) across Europe (Italy, Cyprus, Greece, Spain and Portugal), highlighting collaborative efforts to strengthen skill development and drive innovation in offshore energy.
The session featured an in-depth discussion on current trends and future pathways in Offshore Renewable Energy, with leading researchers and industry professionals sharing expertise on sustainable energy solutions.
A crucial industry challenge, workforce development, upskilling, reskilling, and mental health support, was also addressed, emphasizing the need for a resilient and well-prepared workforce to propel the blue energy sector forward.
The Blue Energy Summit 2025 successfully fostered critical discussions, strengthened partnerships, and set a clear agenda for the future of offshore renewable energy. As stakeholders continue to collaborate, the summit’s outcomes will play a crucial role in shaping sustainable and resilient offshore energy solutions worldwide.
Ancona, Italy – On November 21st, the Italian Centre of Vocational Excellence (COVE) proudly hosted the launch event for the SHOREWINNER project at the Polytechnic University of Marche. This significant event marked a pivotal moment in advancing the offshore wind energy sector through specialized training and education.
The SHOREWINNER Launch Event brought together a diverse group of participants, including industry experts, educators, and key stakeholders, all united by a shared commitment to renewable energy. The day was filled with dynamic discussions and presentations, focusing on the project’s mission to enhance the skills of professionals in the rapidly growing field of offshore wind energy.
Attendees expressed strong enthusiasm for SHOREWINNER’s objectives and its collaborative approach. The event provided a platform for sharing ideas and best practices in renewable energy education, highlighting the crucial role of skilled professionals in achieving sustainable energy goals.
The agenda included insightful presentations from leading experts in the field and provided ample networking opportunities, laying the groundwork for future activities and partnerships. The discussions underscored the importance of collaborative efforts in fostering an educated and well-prepared workforce ready to tackle the challenges of renewable energy.
As the SHOREWINNER project moves forward, the Italian COVE looks to continue building on the momentum from the launch event. Future initiatives will aim to further develop training programs and strengthen ties within the renewable energy community, ensuring that the sector’s growth is supported by a foundation of excellence in education and professional development.
About Italian COVE
The Italian Centre of Vocational Excellence (COVE) is dedicated to advancing vocational training and education, with a special focus on meeting the needs of the renewable energy sector. Through collaboration with industry experts and educational institutions, Italian COVE aims to promote excellence in training and enhance the skills of professionals across various industries.
Welcome to the Inaugural Edition of the SHOREWINNER Newsletter!
November 2024
In this edition, we dive into the exciting developments of the SHOREWINNER project—an ambitious initiative aimed at fostering the growth of the offshore renewable energy sector in Southern Europe. Learn about our recent events, objectives, and the collaborative efforts shaping the future of offshore wind energy.
About SHOREWINNER
The Southern European Community for Offshore Wind Energy (SHOREWINNER) is dedicated to establishing a Community of Practice (CoP) across five Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs) in Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, and Cyprus. This project, spanning from 2024 to 2028, focuses on the development, upskilling, and reskilling of the workforce, facilitating the sharing of resources, and aligning with significant European goals and priorities.
Each CoVE collaborates with national stakeholders to deliver vocational training tailored to the local industry’s needs, ensuring a robust exchange of knowledge and fostering multi-stakeholder collaboration.
Objectives and Goals
Main Objectives:
Provide top-notch VET in Offshore Renewable Energy.
Promote stakeholder exchanges to foster knowledge sharing and skill development at regional, national, and transnational levels.
Specific Objectives:
Develop a collaborative network across five countries.
Innovate and improve VET outreach, quality, and effectiveness.
Project Status
As we approach our first major milestone, SHOREWINNER partners are diligently crafting materials that reflect the needs and trends of offshore renewable energy in Southern Europe. Our efforts have encompassed an in-depth characterization of both the sectoral landscape and the VET context.
We have collected and analyzed survey responses from educators, professionals, and students within the field and conducted targeted interviews that yielded valuable insights and recommendations. This collaborative endeavor has enabled us to identify critical skills gaps, setting a strong foundation for developing tailored training material that will support our forthcoming project objectives and workforce upskilling initiatives.
Events
First General Assembly Our first general assembly took place on May 9th-10th, 2024, at Universidade da Coruña. It was a cornerstone event, setting the stage for future collaboration. Catch a glimpse of this pivotal gathering here.
Launch Events Recap
Portugal Launch Event: Held on September 20, 2024, at Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto, this event marked a significant kickoff for the SHOREWINNER project. The event featured round-table discussions on vocational training excellence and the importance of cooperation between industry and educational institutions.
Cyprus Launch Event: Under the theme ‘Energy for the Future,’ this hybrid event occurred at the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry, bringing together influential figures from academia, industry, and government to discuss the future of wind energy in Cyprus. More details and discussions can be viewed here.
Greece Launch Event: On October 30th, the Hellenic Wind Energy Association (HWEA/ELETAEN) launched the SHOREWINNER project at OTE Academy, Greece, with notable speakers from government, academia, and industry. The event explored Greece’s offshore wind potential, supply chain needs, and SHOREWINNER’s mission to advance renewable energy across Southern Europe. More details and discussions can be viewed here
International Collaboration
The ShoreWinner team was invited by the T-shore project to participate in an event at the European Parliament in Brussels. This gathering was an excellent opportunity to engage in discussions about offshore renewable energy, exchange ideas, and explore potential collaboration opportunities.
Looking Forward
As SHOREWINNER moves forward, we aim to continue enhancing our Community of Practice, developing transnational curricula, and contributing innovatively to the offshore energy sector.
Stay tuned for more updates in our next edition!
Download Our Project Brochure To learn more about SHOREWINNER, download our detailed project brochure here.
Thank you for being a part of our community. We look forward to driving sustainable and innovative change in the offshore wind energy sector together.
Cofinanciado por la Unión Europea. Las opiniones y puntos de vista expresados en el presente documento son, sin embargo, los de los autores y no reflejan necesariamente los de la Unión Europea o la Agencia Ejecutiva Europea de Educación y Cultura. Ni la Unión Europea ni la EACEA se hacen responsables de los mismos. Número de proyecto : 101143967
