Solutions Showcase at GSIS 2026

Island and coastal communities are advancing ambitious sustainability agendas. Translating those ambitions into implementation requires technologies and approaches that are already tested, validated and ready for deployment. The GSIS 2026 Solutions Showcase has been designed to connect market-ready solution providers directly with policymakers, investors, development institutions and practitioners working across island contexts worldwide.

Integrated into the Global Sustainable Islands Summit 2026, the Showcase provides a structured platform for selected organisations to present their solutions in a focused, decision-maker environment. The Solutions Showcase is delivered in collaboration with the MED-Hubs Initiative, including MALTAccelerate, Justonearth, ALDA – European Association for Local Democracy, Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena, and Venice Lagoon Plastic Free. Together, these partners contribute expertise across innovation ecosystems, local governance, sustainable development and environmental action, strengthening the bridge between solution providers and island deployment pathways.

The Solutions Showcase is a curated pitch-style session taking place on 21 April 2026 during GSIS in Gran Canaria. Selected participants will deliver concise, high-impact presentations of their solutions, followed by live questions from an expert panel and stakeholders in the room. The session is designed to facilitate peer learning, direct engagement and practical dialogue around deployment. Standout solutions may be recognised across defined categories such as scalability, innovation, impact and island relevance.

The Showcase is open to startups, SMEs, scale-ups, cooperatives and technology providers developing solutions that address sustainability challenges in island and coastal territories. For fully funded places, applicants must demonstrate a minimum Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6, meaning the technology has been demonstrated in a relevant environment. Applicants must also be legally registered and actively operating in one of the following eligible countries: EU Member States, including overseas countries and territories, as well as Moldova, Ukraine, Georgia, Türkiye, Mauritania, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya. Applicants seeking self-funded places must present solutions directly related to the blue economy and oceans. A total of twelve solutions will be selected. Up to eight fully funded places are available. These include travel, accommodation and GSIS 2026 conference registration. Up to four self-funded places are available. Self-funded participants cover their own travel and accommodation while receiving full access to the Solutions Showcase and GSIS programme. Selection is competitive and based on readiness, relevance to island contexts and clarity of implementation potential.

Preparation is a structured component of the programme. Selected participants will take part in a one-to-one virtual mentoring process between 16 March and 16 April 2026. This includes pitch refinement, guidance on positioning for island deployment and insight into partnership and financing pathways. The objective is to ensure that presentations are clear, strategically aligned and relevant to policy and investor audiences attending GSIS.

All selected applicants will receive participation in the GSIS 2026 Solutions Showcase, access to the full GSIS summit programme, structured virtual preparation and mentoring, the opportunity to present directly to policymakers, investors and island authorities, feedback from a multidisciplinary expert panel, visibility through GSIS communications and event materials, and access to networking sessions, side events and partnership-building opportunities. Participation also provides association with the GSIS network of island institutions and stakeholders.

By integrating implementation-ready innovation into a policy-focused, partnership-driven environment, the Solutions Showcase reinforces GSIS’s commitment to moving beyond dialogue and supporting tangible progress in island territories. For organisations seeking to position their solutions within real-world contexts, alongside decision-makers and institutions with delivery capacity, this platform offers a structured entry point into an international network centred on practical outcomes and long-term collaboration. If your organisation is developing a solution that is ready for deployment in island or coastal contexts, the GSIS 2026 Solutions Showcase provides a structured platform to engage with decision-makers and partners. Apply here.