MEDiterranean approach towards a maritime European GREEN Deal in MSP

ongoing

MEDiterranean approach towards a maritime European GREEN Deal in MSP- MEDIGREEN is a project proposal targeting to advance the European Green Deal (EGD) transition in the Mediterranean Sea through transnational cooperation in Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP). Despite the multi-sectoral dimension of EGD, this project undertakes an operational approach and thus focuses on some key uses and activities (either traditional or emerging), relevant in the basin context: Offshore Renewable Energies (ORE), fisheries, aquaculture and nature protection. The project will investigate how MSP can promote and enhance sectoral responses and, in case, cross-sectoral ones, to enable the green transition in the Mediterranean Sea. It will take into account the peculiarities of this semi-enclosed basin, its complex ecology, socio-economics and governance systems, the common cultural heritage and the important presence of non-EU countries. The project will allow EU countries to strengthen EGD related actions in the MSP plan finalization or implementation phases and to prepare the floor for the enhancement of such actions in the next cycle. Involvement of non-EU countries included in the Barcelona Convention will contribute to target EGD oriented, marine management coordinated actions at sea-basin level. The 4 Work Packages of the project investigate the impact of MSP in the EGD, develop national actions regarding sector responses towards the EGD and identify first steps for a Mediterranean way towards the EGD. They also develop actions in non-EU countries and explore the regional dimension, involving the Mediterranean MSP Community of Practice (MED-MSP-CoP) launched by CINEA, DG-MARE and supported by the WestMED initiative. Finally, the project aims to design appropriate communication of project results and explore the non-economic values of maritime sectors. It foresees exchanges with Black and North and Baltic seas to align MSP-EGD evolution at EU level.