Tool Validation Workshop Series — Cetacean Migration Corridor
Knowledge Sharing for Science-Based Management of the Mediterranean Cetacean Migration Corridor
Tool Validation Workshop Series — Raet National Park
Can ecosystems be preserved in a paper park?
Tool Validation Workshop Series — Vlaamse Banken
On the 9th of February 2026, Ghent University welcomed 28 representatives of the local stakeholder working group and Belgian demo site partners of BLUE CONNECT in an interactive workshop on the validation of tools developed and/or adopted within the project. Researchers, industry representatives, policymakers and civil society organisations learned about the Belgian Demo sits developments of the restoration of native oyster reefs in the Marine Protected Area Vlaamse Banken (Belgian part of the North Sea) and discussed how science-based tools can strengthen restoration efforts and decision-making.
Tool Validation Workshop Series — L’Albera
On the 18th of February 2026, BLUE CONNECT organised two complementary workshops at the L’Albera Demo site, bringing together public authorities, local stakeholders and community members to discuss the project’s progress and next steps. These workshops were organised as the 2nd Local Stakeholder Working Group (LSWG) meeting at the Demo site, to engage local actors and validate the project’s development, tools and governance approaches.
Tool Validation Workshop Series — Shetland
The Scottish MPA Demo Site successfully held their latest Local Stakeholder Working Group (LSWG) meeting within the framework of the BLUE CONNECT Project, bringing together multiple stakeholders.
Tool Validation Workshop Series — Burgas Bay
On 25 February 2026, the Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation and Center for Coastal and Marine Studies convened a workshop at the Regional Library in Burgas under the BLUE CONNECT project. The meeting brought together 28 participants, both in person and online, including representatives of the MPAs authority (the Ministry of Environment and Water and the Black Sea Basin Directorate – Varna), the Executive Agency for Fisheries and Aquaculture, the Municipality of Burgas, national and regional research institutions, NGOs, and stakeholders from the fisheries and aquaculture sectors.
Tool Validation Workshop Series — Macaronesia
Macaronesia Demo Site successfully held their 2nd Local Stakeholder Working Group (LSWG) meeting within the framework of the BLUE CONNECT Project, bringing together 32 stakeholders from across all the four Macaronesian archipelagos.
Blueprint Tools and Co-Management Schemes Validated Across Demo Sites
The BLUE CONNECT project has successfully reached a major milestone with the advancement of Milestones 8 and 9, marking a significant step forward in the development, validation, and regional grounding of the project’s Blueprint framework and co-management schemes.
Formentera Hosts the IV Marine Stewardship Board
Formentera hosted the IV Marine Stewardship Board on December 9, 2025, an event that consolidates the shared governance model of the protected areas within the Natura 2000 Network. The meeting brought together representatives from institutions, scientific entities, the fishing sector, nature tourism agents, NGOs, and local organisations.
BC at the 5th EU Blue Parks workshop
The fifth EU Blue Parks Community workshop ‘Achieving Mission Ocean and Waters Protection Targets: Showcasing the EU Blue Parks Projects’ was be held online on 19 November 2025 at 10:00h CET, being Blue Connect one of the 9 projects presented.