The Federation of European Aquaculture Producers (FEAP) successfully hosted the second edition of its NextGen “Deep Dive into EU Institutions” training on 17–18 March 2026 in Brussels, bringing together a selected group of young aquaculture professionals from across Europe.
Following its launch in 2025, the FEAP NextGen programme continues to support generational renewal within the sector by strengthening young professionals’ understanding of European policymaking and encouraging their active involvement in shaping the future of aquaculture in Europe.
The FEAP NextGen Class of 2026 included participants from Denmark, France, Greece, Hungary, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Türkiye, reflecting the diversity of the European aquaculture sector and its wide range of production systems.
The 2026 edition of the programme was made possible with the continued support of AquaSorgal – Soja de Portugal, whose contribution plays a key role in enabling this initiative and supporting the next generation of aquaculture professionals.
Two days of insight into EU policymaking
Over two days, participants explored the workings of European institutions and the evolving policy framework governing aquaculture. The programme combined presentations, interactive networking sessions and study visits, offering valuable opportunities to link theory with practical insights.
The training opened with an introduction to FEAP and the European aquaculture policy landscape by Javier Ojeda, setting the context for discussions on key priorities including sustainability, competitiveness, climate resilience and the role of aquaculture in supporting Europe’s food security.
Expert contributions were delivered by Nikos Zampoukas and Julien Peris, who outlined EU support mechanisms and funding opportunities for aquaculture. Additional perspectives were provided by Alexander Döring, Mieke Eggermont, Cynthia Benites, Pedro Reis Santos and Katarina Sipic, offering participants a comprehensive overview of the policy and stakeholder landscape.
A key component of the programme was a visit to the European Commission (DG MARE), where participants met members of the aquaculture unit, including Lorella De La Cruz Iglesias and Julian Garcia Baena, as well as Antonio Basanta from the cabinet of European Commissioner Kostas Kadis. This provided an opportunity for open discussion on current policy priorities, implementation challenges and future developments in the sector.
Building a connected NextGen community
Interactive group sessions encouraged participants to reflect on key sector challenges, develop their vision for the future of European aquaculture and consider how young professionals can contribute more actively to policy discussions and sector representation.
“Without this training, I would probably not have explored the online resources made available by organisations such as the European Aquaculture Assistance Mechanism,” said Nagyné Biró Janka.
The NextGen initiative forms part of FEAP’s wider efforts to strengthen sector capacity, improve understanding of EU processes and ensure that the voices of aquaculture professionals are effectively represented in policymaking.
“European affairs often feel distant from my daily routine in southern Spain; this Deep Dive has brought Europe closer to the fish farm,” said Sergi León Bernabeu from Spain. “It takes time to create change, but with FEAP NextGen I have found a community that helps me learn, grow and drive change at home,” added Aprajita Singh from Sweden.
Beyond institutional insights, the training placed strong emphasis on peer learning and networking. Participants shared experiences from different national contexts, production systems and market conditions, building connections to support future collaboration across Europe.
