The European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet) community is proud to announce the publication of is VISION 2035, a common roadmap for EMODnet’s service evolution over the next decade.
The EMODnet Vision 2035 is a necessary document at a time when the urgency and societal demand for marine knowledge to meet societal challenges has never been higher. It is the EMOD-network’s response to the European Ocean Pact, providing tangible recommendations for how EMODnet as the European Union’s in situ marine data service can – and must – scale and expand, to realise its full potential as a cornerstone of European marine knowledge, serving the Ocean Pact and the EU Ocean Observation Initiative, delivering the in situ component of the European Digital Twin Ocean, boosting competitiveness in the Blue Economy, and as a world-class regional data service seamlessly connected to the global ocean digital ecosystem. The Vision showcases EMODnet, from its people to its digital services, and from its service offer to its value creation for policy, research and innovation, the Blue Economy and beyond.
It presents concrete recommendations across four-dimensions of the EMODnet value chain that are ambitious, yet pragmatic, rooted in EMODnet’s achievements to-date and showcasing the huge opportunity – and demand – for EMODnet to scale to meet society’s growing need for integrated and actionable data from our ocean and coast – including the deep ocean and polar regions, inter-connected with knowledge services from source-to-sink, and across domains. And it outlines a three-phased approach to EMODnet’s evolution: In the short-term to 2028 to consolidate and prepare to scale, including strengthening trust and transparency, unifying its technical coordination and enhancing its engagement with EU Member States, including key National ocean (data) actors, and users; in the mid-term scaling and integrating the service, including an expansion of its partnership to include all relevant in situ ocean observation and data actors by 2030, maximizing interoperability with the European Digital Twin Ocean; and in the longer-term to transform and lead, to deliver the Vision 2035 of EMODnet as the world’s leading regional hub for marine knowledge, providing transformative marine knowledge for the Ocean Pact and global society. To deliver its Vision 2035, EMODnet requires at least a doubling of its core funding from approximately €7 million to €14 million annually throughout the next Multiannual Financial Framework (2028–2034). Targeted additional funding (around €1–3 million annually) is also needed to ensure appropriate service evolution to better cover the coastal, deep ocean and polar domains, together with appropriate additional funding for EMODnet’s global partnerships, among others.
The EMODnet VISION 2035 is available as a full document, with extended recommendations and an accompanying VISION 2035 Summary offering a concise overview and key highlights from the EMODnet community Vision. Together, these serve as important resources for EMODnet partners, associated partners, and its full ecosystem of stakeholders, from data collectors and providers to service providers, users and funders, spanning EU Member States, national authorities and policy makers to research and academia, the private sector and society, including non-governmental organisations and citizen science.
The VISION 2035 was developed by the EMOD-network, spear-headed by a Vision Drafting Group (VDG) of more than 30 EMODnet experts representing the EMODnet partnership and value chain and coordinated by the EMODnet Secretariat. It recognizes the unique network of EMODnet experts, spanning 133 partners across 33 nations, that power EMODnet, from National Oceanographic Data Centres to National Hydrographic Offices and from National Geological services to Research Performing Organisations, public agencies and bodies and the private sector. And it stresses that the EMODnet partnership must expand, to include all relevant in situ ocean observation and data actors by 2030.
The EMODnet Vision 2035 was launched at a public webinar on 13 November 2025, attended by over 120 stakeholders, with presentations by diverse representatives of the VDG. It’s launch comes ahead of the fourth EMODnet Open Conference 2025, taking place on 25–26 November in Brussels, Belgium which will welcome more than 250 EMODnet partners, associated partners and wider stakeholders to showcase EMODnet as an essential marine data service for the European Ocean Pact and to take action to make the EMODnet Vision 2035 into reality. This flagship EMODnet event is part of a European Marine Knowledge Week that includes the Digital Ocean Forum 2025, showcasing EMODnet’s central role in delivering the EDITO long-term infrastructure of the European Digital Twin Ocean, in partnership with Copernicus Marine Service.
Stakeholders are invited to explore the EMODnet VISION 2035 and follow upcoming updates on all EMODnet developments via the EMODnet Portal, EMODnet social media channels and the EMODnet Monthly News Digest.
