Objective
The BLUE CONNECT project addresses the urgent need to protect and restore marine habitats and ecosystems and to reach ambitious EU and global protection and restoration targets by 2030. Together with Marine Protected Area (MPA) managers, authorities, industries, and local communities from 12 Demonstration sites and beyond, BLUE CONNECT is co-developing, promoting, and demonstrating a systematic approach to marine conservation planning and management. This collaborative effort will result in the creation of a powerful Blueprint, directly supporting 1) setting science-based conservation objectives, 2) co-defining conservation actions for effective MPA co-management, 3) ensuring conservation effectiveness and 4) demonstrating the high potential of these tools for replicability and broader use. This will be made possible by establishing a holistic modelling framework that integrates various elements of biodiversity, ecological functioning, ecosystem services, and connectivity, while also considering inputs from stakeholders and local communities regarding social, economic, and cultural aspects when defining MPAs and ecological corridors. The project will contribute to a more comprehensive, science-based and inclusive approach to designating new MPAs or expanding existing ones, transitioning to strict protection, restoring ecosystems, enhancing ecological connectivity, and facilitating MPA co-management. By fostering just and fair stakeholder cooperation and citizen science initiatives, BLUE CONNECT will build a greater feeling of co-ownership of protected and restored marine ecosystems and MPA networks and empower communities to play a crucial role in safeguarding our seas.
Fields of science
Programme(s)
Topic(s)
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-IA - HORIZON Innovation ActionsCoordinator
10827 Berlin
Germany
See on map
Participants (20)
8400 OOSTENDE
See on map
1000 Bruxelles / Brussel
See on map
9000 Varna
See on map
8300 SVOLVAER
See on map
9000 Gent
See on map
2629 HV Delft
See on map
0579 Oslo
See on map
29016 Malaga
See on map
51005 Tartu
See on map
00198 Roma
See on map
Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
00198 Roma
See on map
Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
28005 Madrid
See on map
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
08003 Barcelona
See on map
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
9501 801 Ponta Delgada S Miguel Acores
See on map
Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
9500 321 Ponta Delgada
See on map
9308 Hofstade Aalst
See on map
900581 Constanta
See on map
00160 Helsinki
See on map
1000 Sofia
See on map
6110 CIDADE DO PORTO INGLES
See on map
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
Partners (4)
Partner organisations contribute to the implementation of the action, but do not sign the Grant Agreement.
1210 Bruxelles / Brussel
See on map
Partner organisations contribute to the implementation of the action, but do not sign the Grant Agreement.
28003 Madrid
See on map
Partner organisations contribute to the implementation of the action, but do not sign the Grant Agreement.
10000 Zagreb
See on map
Partner organisations contribute to the implementation of the action, but do not sign the Grant Agreement.
IV2 3JH INVERNESS
See on map