In a seashell
The BLUE CONNECT is a Mission Ocean funded project that 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.
THE BLUEPRINT
This collaborative effort will result in the creation of a powerful Blueprint, directly supporting:
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Setting science- based conservation objectives
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Co-defining conservation actions for effective MPA co-management
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Ensuring conservation effectiveness and
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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.
OUR TARGET AUDIENCE
BLUE CONNECT project is designed to fully mobilize stakeholders and citizens in the process of co-creation of conservation planning and management process. Cooperation and engagement process will be implemented at different levels: international, EU, Sea Basins, national, local, involving stakeholders from different backgrounds and expertise, from environmental, policy, governance, administrative, industry, ensuring impact on public mobilisation and engagement. The project will contribute to Mission ́s ambition to connect Europe’s citizens and local communities with the ocean, seas and waters, facilitate broad ownership and education and co-design the transitions within the communities that will allow the European Green Deal targets to be reached.
The key local stakeholders will be engaged in BLUE CONNECT from the beginning of the project to encompass different needs and views, enable co-creation of project results and outcomes, contributing to commitment and ownership. In addition to local sites related stakeholders and national/regional stakeholders, EU wide and global audience will be reached, including youth and society at large.
