Strengthening the Blueprint & Co-management Through Participatory Validation
Milestone 8 represented a crucial participatory phase, during which the draft Blueprint tools developed under Tasks T2.2, T2.3, T2.4, T3.3, T4.3, T4.4, T5.2, and T5.3 were presented to stakeholders across all 12 Demo Sites (DSs) for validation, testing, and structured feedback. In parallel, Milestone 9 focused on validating the co-management schemes developed under Task 4.4, designed to strengthen participatory governance by promoting shared responsibility, stakeholder engagement, and collaborative decision-making.
By engaging all Demo Sites in a coordinated and structured process, BLUE CONNECT reinforced ownership at local level, enhanced the practical applicability of the tools, and ensured that the emerging Blueprint reflects regional diversity while maintaining coherence with the project’s overall objectives.
During February 2026 (with the Cetacean Migration Corridor workshop held earlier in September 2025), each Demo Site organised in-person and/or online Local Stakeholder Working Group (LSWG) meetings. In total, 146 institutions and 187 participants took part in the validation process, representing public authorities, research institutions, NGOs, maritime sectors, fishers, and local communities.
Across the region, stakeholders reviewed and validated multiple Blueprint components, demonstrating a high level of consensus regarding their relevance, usability, and strategic value. The discussions confirmed the robustness of the proposed tools and governance schemes, while also identifying targeted areas for refinement and contextual adaptation.
Importantly, the LSWG exchanges generated valuable insights into governance structures, institutional capacities, and local realities. Participants provided practical recommendations to strengthen feasibility, clarify roles and responsibilities, and ensure alignment with existing legal and policy frameworks.
All feedback collected under Milestones 8 and 9 has been systematically compiled and shared with the respective Task leaders to guide the next phase of refinement. This structured feedback loop ensures that the Blueprint tools and co-management schemes are not only scientifically robust, but also regionally grounded and responsive to the specific governance contexts of each Demo Site.
Together, Milestones 8 and 9 reaffirm BLUE CONNECT’s commitment to a collaborative, and science-based approach to strengthening participatory ocean governance across the region.
