Blue Connect has a total of 18 full partners, 4 associated partners and 3 affiliated entities distributed across of all European sea basins, a very well thought consortium that will allow, among other things, to provide solutions co-developed and validated in the 12 demonstration sites across Europe and beyond.

Read about Blue Connect's partners below

SUBMARINER NETWORK – Germany

The SUBMARINER Network for Blue Growth promotes sustainable and innovative uses of  marine resources. The network is a hub for projects, initiatives and activities at all levels.

SUBMARINER offers a cooperation platform to related actors and initiatives in the Baltic Sea Region with the aim to turn the Baltic Sea Region into a model region for sustainable blue bio-based innovations and smart combinations. The Submariner Network acts as an umbrella organisation and initiates partnerships and the project development; it brings together a unique variety of institutions representing national and regional authorities, research institutions, business associations and consulting companies from all Baltic Sea Region countries all involved in promoting combined and sustainable blue economy solutions. 

In Blue Connect, SUBMARINER is coordinating the project and leading the WP on Communication, Dissemination and Exploitation, as well as getting involved in tasks for other WPs.

PEOPLE

Blue Connect Coordination

Natascha Jaspert

nj@submariner-network.eu

Blue Connect Lead

Ivana Stojanovic

is@submariner-network.eu

Blue Connect Communications

Mariana Mata Lara

mml@submariner-network.eu

Blue Connect Coordination

Mercedes Ribera Wansart

(Maternity leave)

mrw@submariner-network.eu

Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) – Belgium

Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) promotes marine knowledge creation and excellence through interdisciplinary research about the ocean, seas, coast and tidal estuaries. This is done in close collaboration with other (marine) research groups, citizens, policy makers and industrial partners in Flanders, Belgium, and through international collaboration.  VLIZ has extensive experience in developing products and knowledge relevant to the MSP4BIO project, such as biodiversity data collection by the Marine Observation Centre, data management and the development of geographic data systems by the VLIZ Marine Data Centre, and engagement at the science-policy-industry interface by the Policy and Innovation division.

In the BLUE CONNECT project, VLIZ will be responsible for the data management (VLIZ Marine Data Centre), coordinating the exchange of information from the Demo Sites to the partners developing solutions (Policy Information Division), and for developing innovative monitoring techniques (Marine Observation Centre and the Marine Robotics Centre) to support oyster reef restoration and assess its ecological impact. VLIZ is also a partner for the Belgian Demo Site which is led by Ghent University.

PEOPLE

Fien De Raedemaecker 

Co-lead T4.1

Inne Withouck 

Co-lead T4.1

Elisabeth Debusschere 

Lead T5.2

Rita Novo 

T5.2

Leandro Ponsoni 

T5.2

Lawrence Whatley

Data management

Julia Aubach

T5.2

Wieter Boone 

T5.2

Natural Sciences – Belgium

The Institute of Natural Sciences (RBINS) is a Belgian Federal Scientific Institute developing science-based activities and coordinating the national monitoring of the marine environment and human activities in support of national and international policy in a wide range of areas. We provide scientific advice to national, regional sea and the EU level decision-making processes. Areas of expertise include biology, ecology, sedimentology and nature and biodiversity conservation, but also mathematical modelling of marine processes, remote sensing, and aerial surveillance. The Marine Ecology and Management team (MARECO) led by Steven Degraer has specific expertise on marine conservation, marine mammals and seabirds, benthic fauna, invasive species, and underwater sound, embedded in an ecosystem management context. We are also the coordinator of the BLUE4ALL project.

RBINS is leading WP3 and contributing to all other WPs.

PEOPLE

Rita Trabulo

Project co-lead

 Annaïk van Gerven

Project co-lead

Steven Degraer

WP3 Lead

Bob Rumes

WP1 Lead for RBINS

Center for Coastal and Marine Studies (CCMS) – Bulgaria

CCMS is a research foundation with the fundamental goal to develop and promote science, research, knowledge transfer and innovation technologies in the Black Sea and the World Ocean by bringing together science, expertise, stakeholders and policy making. CCMS activities comprise a vast range of coastal and marine research, with a mission to study and protect geodiversity and biodiversity, as well as support to the implementation of the EU coastal and maritime strategies by developing scientific basis and providing expertise, project development, knowledge transfer, networking and consultancy. CCMS is closely collaborating with the national MPAs and MSP authorities under the EMFAF projects MARSPLAN-BS II and MSP-GREEN, and the Horizon Europe MSP4BIO project.

In BLUE CONNECT CCMS is leader of WP4 Showcasing effective co-ownership and co-management: engaging stakeholders and citizens. CCMS also leads two important tasks on the uptake of effective co-management and co-ownership actions and lessons learnt on monitoring and evaluating conservation effectiveness with replication potential, and CCMS is a co-leader of the Bulgarian Demonstration site (Burgas Bay) together with BBF. CCMS takes also active participation to all other Work packages and tasks.

PEOPLE

Margarita Stancheva

WP4 Lead, T5.4 Lead

Project lead for CCMS

Hristo Stanchev

GIS/Data base (WP2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, co-lead of Demo site)

Arman Sarkisyan

WP2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, involved in Demo site

SALT Lofoten – Norway

SALT is an independent research and advisory company specialised in marine pollution, marine management, and coastal development. With specific competence in marine biology, sustainability, law, economics, social sciences and entrepreneurship, they deliver services within research, consultancy and outreach. Their mission is to contribute to sustainable oceans and proactive coastal development.
Their head ofiice is in Lofoten, north of the Artic circle, but they have offices in several other Norwegian coastal towns, including Arendal, one of the three Raet National Park municipalities.

SALT’s role in BLUE CONNECT is mainly twofold and closely connected to the work with Demonstration Sites. On one hand SALT will support all Demonstration Sites through the establishment and chairing of the Demonstration Sites Board, and, supporting site specific communication, awareness and impact generation. On the other, SALT, in close collaboration with NIVA, will work intensively in Raet National Park rolling out the tools developed throughout the project to support further co-ownership and effective management towards better protection of Raet’s ecosystems. SALT will also support validating the framework developed for the co-definition of site-specific conservation objectives in selected Demonstration Sites.

PEOPLE

Joan Fabres

Lead, WP1 & WP7

Marthe Larsen Harr

WP2 & WP5

Guri Hjallen Eriksen

WP3

Tale Skrove

WP3

Malin Jacob

WP4

Helene Skjeie Thorstensen

WP5, WP4, & WP2

Hilde Rødås Johnsen

WP7

Ghent University – Belgium

Ghent University enjoys national and international recognition for its fundamental and applied research in the field of marine/maritime sciences and technologies. Universiteit Gent, in a partnership with the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ), are a founding member of the European Marine Biological Resource Center – EMBRC, a pan-European Research Infrastructure for marine biology and ecology research, whose activities include the development of new technologies enabling the growth of a sustainable Blue Economy.

Universiteit Gent aims for sustainable blue growth through a multidisciplinary approach to socially relevant themes in a collaborative and inclusive manner.
Two departments are participating in BLUE CONNECT:

  • Faculty of Bioscience Engineering – Laboratory for Aquaculture and Artemia Reference Center
  • Faculty of Bioscience Engineering – BlueGent consortium

 

In BLUECONNECT, Ghent University is leading the Belgian pilot, and leads T 6.1 – Synthesis on Best Practices and Lessons Learned in Conservation Planning and Management.

PEOPLE

Mieke Eggermont

Lead of T 6.1

Annelies Declercq

Demo site lead and co-lead of Task 6.1

Margriet Drouillon

Demo site co-lead

Deltares – The Netherlands

Deltares is an independent knowledge institute on innovative solutions in the field of water and subsurface. The unique combination of our knowledge and research, together with our experts, experimental facilities, key technologies, specialised software and data products enables us to advise policymakers and industry and address the challenges the world faces today. We do this from 9 different areas of expertise: drought, floods, sealevel rise, subsidence, water supply, energy transition, water, soil and health, resilient cities and future-proof infrastructure.

In BLUE CONNECT Deltares is leading WP2 (Science-based conservation objectives). Deltares will participate in the development and integration of state-of-the-art methods to assess ecosystem functioning and support the definition of effective conservation objectives and restoration measures. Deltares is also responsible for the pressure analysis task in WP3, setting the base for the definition of conservation measures at Demo Sites.

PEOPLE

Lauriane Vilmin

Project lead for Deltares, WP2 lead, ecological modelling

Sebastiaan Mestdagh 

T3.1 lead, benthic ecology

Luca van Duren

Senior researcher, ecology

Sonia Heye 

Project researcher, ecological modelling

Luis Rodriguez Galvez

Project researcher, data vizualisation

Willemijn Velseboer

PhD student (WP2)

NIVA – Norway

NIVA is Norway’s premier research institute in the fields of water and the environment. We are experts on freshwater and marine ecosystems including their interactions with society and governance. 

NIVA is leading T3.2 and T3.3.2, Social Science contributions mainly in WP3&4, Nat.Science contributions to WP2&5.

We develop science-based knowledge and solutions for a sustainable future. NIVA has expertise in both the natural and social sciences, and we take a multidisciplinary approach to the interactions between water, the environment and society.

PEOPLE

Aase J. Kvanneid

Lead & T3.3.2

Laura Friedrich 

T3.2

 Maren H. Sævold

T3.2

Federico H. Gaeta

WP2 and WP5

Kristina Ø.Kvile

WP2 and WP5

Universidad de Málaga – España

The European Topic Centre for Spatial Analysis and Synthesis (ETC-UMA) at the University of Malaga, founded in 2011, supports regional and Pan-European policy by developing environmental knowledge. ETC-UMA specializes in integrating, harmonizing, and sharing regional data, producing environmental indicators, and creating tools that aid decision-makers in understanding their dependency on ecosystems and impacts on biodiversity. The center’s work includes mapping environmental and human pressures, assessing ecosystem services, and evaluating the effects of management practices on terrestrial, coastal, and marine habitats, including protected areas. ETC-UMA also explores innovative conservation methods, such as Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs), management effectiveness, and conservation outcome monitoring. The center actively engages with scientific, managerial, and policy stakeholders to promote conservation and sustainable development across regions.

ETC-UMA contributes to all work packages, drawing on the organisation’s expertise from ongoing marine protection initiatives. ETC-UMA leads WP5 “Ensuring effective conservation” with the objective of developing a system for monitoring marine conservation effectiveness and assessing conservation outcomes, building on the integrated framework for definition of conservation objectives and governance toolbox for co-defining conservation measures. It is responsible for the deliverable on Best practices in MPA monitoring and assessment through the identification and appraisal of the most relevant monitoring and assessment frameworks / systems to select the most suitable one to be applied in the Demo sites.


In addition to active involvement in all WPs, ETC-UMA in cooperation with the Spanish Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge (MITERD) will engage with the Spanish Cetacean Migration Corridor as one of the demonstration sites in focusing the BLUE CONNECT Blueprint implementation to the preparation of the management plan/Establishment of co-management/ Connectivity Advisory site.

PEOPLE

Maria del Mar Otero

Project Coordinator UMA

Barbara Bauer

University of Tartu – Estonia

The Estonian Marine Institute at the University of Tartu (UTARTU) is Estonia’s leading center for marine research, with decades of experience in studying marine biodiversity and ecosystems from a multidisciplinary perspective. UTARTU combines observational, experimental, and mathematical approaches to examine ecological and environmental phenomena across various biological, spatial, and temporal scales, and their dynamics under different global change scenarios. This knowledge is translated into advanced yet user-friendly decision support tools, developed in close collaboration with local, national, and regional authorities. These tools are vital for bridging the gap between science and decision-making, supporting the sustainable development of human activities at sea and guiding conservation and restoration efforts.

UTARTU will lead the development of solutions for assessing and effectively integrating connectivity into the planning and implementation of conservation and restoration actions.

PEOPLE

Francisco R. Barboza

Principal Investigator and co-leader of T2.2

Jonne Kotta

Project Manager for UTARTU and co-leader of T2.2

Kristiina Nurkse

Researcher and co-leader of T2.2

World Wide Fund for Nature – Mediterranean

WWF is one of the world’s largest environmental conservation organisations, active in more than 100 countries. Founded in 1961, its main goal is to protect biodiversity and reduce the impact of human activities on natural ecosystems. WWF focuses on key areas such as safeguarding endangered species, protecting natural habitats, promoting sustainable use of resources and combating climate change.
The organisation is structured in national and regional offices that work with governments, businesses and local communities to develop and implement conservation strategies that also seek to improve the socio-economic environment of local communities.

WWF Mediterranean will be coordinating Wor Package 6 of the project, responsible of the production of the final deliverable, the BluePrint. A Transferrabilty Roadshow will also be organised to showcase the BluePrint and the results of the project within, and WWF Med will be part of the organisation of the Roadshow. Finally, WWF Med will aim to establish a high-level transboundary co-management table as a scale up of project results in the Southern Adriatic-Ionian Strait EBSA.

PEOPLE

Mauro Randone 

Project Supervisor

Saba Başkır

Project Coordinator and Lead WP6

World Wide Fund for Nature – Spain

WWF Spain (ADENA) is the Spanish section of WWF, the biggest conservation organization in the world. Our mission is to guarantee nature conservation in harmony with the human being by conserving the biodiversity, guaranteeing the sustainable use of natural resources and reducing the pollution.

The organisation was founded in 1967 in Spain, since then it has developed an intense work on conservation and protection. Nowdays, our work is structured in 6 programs: Oceans, Freshwater, Forest, Climate Change, Food and Endangered Wildlife with action through projects on the field, policy advocacy, communication and raising awareness in close collaboration with Corporates, administrations (local, regional, national and international), Scientifics and other NGOs.

The Ocean team, involved in Blue Connect, has a long experience in Marine Protected Areas, coastal management, sustainable fisheries working with local partners, fishing sector and local administrations leading activities on co-management, policiy advocacy in all the Spanish marine areas and RFMOs.

WWF Spain will be leading the implementation of the Blue Connect Project 2 demo sites: Cabo Roche Natura 2000 site and future Marine Fishing Reserve (Cádiz) and Pitiusas Islands (Balearic Islands) through the Marine Stewardship Table of Pitiusas and the Tagomago Fishing Reserve. In both, it will be developed an effective management of the MPAs, including highly protected areas, restoration of degradated habitats and comanagement schemes.

PEOPLE

Jose Luis García Varas

Project Coordinator

Raul García Rodriguez

Demo site lead

Óscar Esparza

Demo site co-lead

Miguel Gómez

Demos site co-lead

World Wide Fund for Nature – Italy

WWF is one of the world’s largest environmental conservation organisations, active in more than 100 countries. Founded in 1961, its main goal is to protect biodiversity and reduce the impact of human activities on natural ecosystems. WWF focuses on key areas such as safeguarding endangered species, protecting natural habitats, promoting sustainable use of resources and combating climate change.
The organisation is structured in national and regional offices that work with governments, businesses and local communities to develop and implement conservation strategies that also seek to improve the socio-economic environment of local communities.

WWF Italy will be responsable of the implementation of the Blue Connect Project in the Northern Adriatic demo site. The main goal are to enhance biodiversity conservation, to create cooperation and comanagement and to contribute to the MSP process in this area of the Adriatic.
In the Mediterranean, WWF plays a key role in protecting marine ecosystems, which are particularly vulnerable due to human activities such as intensive fishing, pollution, maritime traffic and climate change. WWF’s main activities in this region include Marine Species Protection, Sustainable Fisheries Management, Establishment of Marine Protected Areas and Awareness Raising combined with Research.

PEOPLE

Andrea Zanella

Project Manager and Project Coordinator for WWF Italy

SUBMON- Spain

SUBMON is a marine conservation NGO based in Barcelona, Spain. Founded in 2008, it works on the conservation of marine biodiversity, and aims to achieve a sustainable use of the marine environment by promoting a change in the relationship between society and the sea.

Since its beginning SUBMON has carried out over 300 projects, counting with a multi-disciplinary team of professionals with over 20 years’ experience in the fields of marine biology, veterinary medicine, environmental sciences, engineering and education.

Our work focuses in the study and conservation of threatened species and habitats, committing to environmental education and ocean literacy as key tool to reinforce our activity.

SUBMON joins the BLUE CONNECT project as leader of one of the Demo Sites: the marine section of the Natura2000 site of L’Albera, in the Costa Brava, Spain. Here they will work to improve the management of the area, carry out activities to increase the engagement of the community, and study the active restoration of Neptune seagrass with the implication of the community. Their team will also take part in other Tasks that are especially relevant to them, such as studying the connectivity of the area, establishing of conservation objectives and management measures, or monitoring techniques.

PEOPLE

Mariluz Parga

Project co-lead for SUBMON

Andreu Dalmau

Project co-lead for SUBMON

Juanita Zorrilla

WP4 in Demo Site

Sara Fernandez  

WP7

University of the Azores – Portugal

The University of the Azores (UAc) is a public institution of higher education dependent on the Portuguese Ministry of Science and Education. Established in 1976 to foster the sustained development of the Azores archipelago. The University of the Azores’ (UAc) mission focuses on knowledge development and dissemination through teaching, research, cultural dissemination, and service rendering. Due to its geographical location, the University contributes to the overall development of the Azores. Its research centres focus on the humanities, arts, sciences, and technologies. The UAc team has elaborated several coastal zone management plans and participated in projects related to ICZM and climate change. Additionally, the UAc team has been involved in projects within the scope of MSP and MPA in the Macaronesia area, leading stakeholder engagement in several of them. In BLUECONNECT, the UAc brings the experience of previous projects to lead Macaronesian Demo site and lead the project’s stakeholder engagement.

PEOPLE

Débora Gutierrez

Project & Macaronesia DS Lead

Fabiana Moniz 

Administrative

Helena Calado

Coordinator

Natali Santos

Project Manager

Bruna Ramos

Intern

Jan De Nul Group – Luxembourg

Jan De Nul is a global player in dredging and offshore solutions. Known for its advanced technical capabilities, Jan De Nul continuously develops and optimizes equipment to achieve higher efficiencies and cost-effective outcomes. We are dedicated to innovation, participating in a wide array of projects aimed at enhancing biodiversity and strengthening coastal resilience. Within these projects, we research technically and economically feasible solutions. Examples include Coastbusters (I and II), working on the improvement of biodiversity, combined with coastal protection, Aquaforest, focussing on habitat creation, and MPV aqua, focusing on solar energy. Jan De Nul is also involved in other oyster restoration projects such as Reefcovery, where we aim to develop new substrate shapes and materials and test the feasibility of using fall pipe vessels for large scale installation. Another example is BELREEFS, a project on behalf of the government, where the aim is to achieve a self-sustaining oyster reef in the gravelbeds through large scale installation. 

JDN is involved in the Belgian pilot project which aims for active restoration of oyster beds within the gravelbeds. Having extensive expertise in marine installation, JDN will investigate installation methods and oversee the placement of oyster substrates on the seafloor. JDN will handle transport logistics to the port and carefully select suitable vessels and techniques for substrate installation. As a leading offshore industry player and being an important stakeholder, JDN brings knowledge and can provide valuable industrial advice to enhance project outcomes.

PEOPLE

Vicky Stratigaki

Lead Engineer – Coordinating Role

Simon Petit

Lead Environmental Engineer – Executing Role

Phara Cockaert 

Environmental Engineer – Executing Role

National Institute for Marine Research and Development “Grigore Antipa” – Romania

INCDM-NIMRD is a representative national organisation with a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary structure, operating under the coordination of the Ministry of Research Innovation and Digitalisation. NIMRD carries out basic, applied and technological research for the knowledge, protection and management of the coastal zone and marine environment, oceanography, marine and coastal engineering, management of the marine living resources in the Black Sea and World Ocean.
NIMRD insures the national, regional and European marine strategies/plans implementation. According to the establishing legal document, the institute is the scientific responsible of the physical, chemical and biological national network for marine waters and for coastal erosion surveillance and national scientific responsibility for the collection and management of fisheries data.
NIMRD hosts the National Oceanographic and Environmental Data Center (RONODC). NIMRD is part of the European Marine Observation and Data network as partner in EMODnet Ingestion, EMODnet Bathymetry, Biology and as Regional Leader for Black Sea in EMODnet Chemistry, also being involved in many of European and regional projects: PERSEUS, CoCoNet, IRIS-SES, MARSPLAN I and II, MareFrame, MISIS, IRIS-SES, ANEMONE, COASTAL, ECOAST, BRIDGE-BS.

PEOPLE

Alina Spinu

Project coordinator for NIMRD

Luminita Buga

Data manager (WP4, 5, 6)

Mariana Golumbeanu

WP4, 6 and 7 

Oana Marin

WP 2, 5 Demo site team member

Victor Nita

WP 2, 6 Demo site team member

Dragos Marin

WP 3, 5 and Demo site team member

Alexandru Cindescu

GIS (WP3, 5 and Demo site team member)

The Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission – Finland

The Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission – also known as the Helsinki Commission (HELCOM) – is an intergovernmental organisation (IGO) and a regional sea convention in the Baltic Sea area. A regional platform for environmental policy making, HELCOM was established in 1974 to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from all sources of pollution.

HELCOM contributes to all WPs, supported by the organisation’s experience in ongoing marine protection research and initiatives across the Baltic Sea region, as well as organising stake holder cooperation, and policy processes. Additionally, cultivating synergetic collaboration with sister project, Protect Baltic.

PEOPLE

Jasmina Uusitalo

Project Coordinator for HELCOM

Lena Avellan 

Professional Secretary at HELCOM

Petra Kääriä

Associate Professional Secretary at HELCOM

The Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation – Bulgaria

A national NGO with over 25 years of experience in nature conservation.
BBF works for the conservation and restoration of important ecosystems in Bulgaria, supports the participation of citizens and local communities in managing natural resources and protected areas, and raises public awareness of biodiversity and nature protection.

BBF joins the BLUE CONNECT project as the leader of one of the Black Sea Demo Sites – Burgas Bay, Bulgaria. Here, BBF will work to define science-based conservation objectives and the necessary conservation measures, taking into account the impacts of climate change, to improve the connectivity of the area and to increase community engagement. The team will participate in all WPs.

PEOPLE

Diyana Kostovska 

Project Lead for BBF

Spas Uzunov 

WP 2, 3 and 5 in Demo Site

Diana Pavlova

WP 4 and 7 in Demo Site

Fundação Maio Biodiversidade  – Cabo Verde

Fundação Maio Biodiversidade (FMB) stands as a distinguished non-governmental, non-profit organization, officially recognized as a public-interest entity and recently awarded with an honourable mention from the President of the Republic of Cabo Verde. We operate as an environmental conservation NGO, unwavering in our commitment to sustainable development and fostering strong partnerships with local authorities and the Maio community for the past 12 years. FMB aims to promote the protection of biodiversity and the social progress of Maio island through conservation actions and the empowerment and economic sustainability of local communities. FMB’s main objectives are: i) the conservation, enhancement, and responsible management of natural resources and biodiversity, particularly on the protected areas (marine and terrestrial); ii) the promotion of sustainable development that respects the historical and cultural heritage of the island of Maio; and, iii) the promotion of economic alternatives that respect the environment and benefit the most disadvantaged communities and vulnerable groups, with particular focus on women and young people.

PEOPLE

Raquel Amador

Project Coordinator for FMB

Thais Macedo

Project Lead for FMB

Federal Public Service, Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment – Belgium

The Federal Public Service Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment builds towards a transparent innovative scientifically and sustainable policy framework that guarantees public health, a safe food chain and a vibrant environment. The Marine Environment Service is the policy unit responsible for the Belgian part of the North Sea. Its main activities include implementation and execution of national, European and international marine and maritime laws and directives, delivering permits for sea-based activities and development of the marine spatial plan. The Marine Environment Service policy aims for a clean, healthy, safe and productive North Sea with a wealth of biodiversity. Sustainable use of scarce marine space and finding solutions to environmental problems are central to this. To achieve this, we work together with various federal and Flemish government departments, other countries, scientific institutions, environmental organizations, stakeholders and all actors at sea.

As an associated partner, the Federal Government in Belgium supports efforts on piloting active restoration methods to
be applied in Belgian Natura2000 sites and the existing efforts in restoration
of historically significant gravel beds within the context of an MPA. 

PEOPLE

Yana Deschutter

Assigning and enforcing the demo site

Merel Oeyen

Assigning and enforcing the demo site

Senne Aertbeliën

Assigning and enforcing the demo site

Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge – Spain

The Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge in Spain manages and conserves state-designated Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and coordinates the Spanish Network of Marine Protected Areas. Its responsibilities include proposing suitable marine areas within this network for inclusion in international networks that meet respective protection standards. The Ministry also designates and manages Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas for Birds in marine environments, as established under Law 42/2007. In collaboration with coastal Autonomous Communities, it develops minimum criteria for the coordinated management of the Spanish MPA Network, approved by the Sectoral Environmental Conference, as well as the Network’s Master Plan. Additionally, the Ministry monitors and evaluates the Network and its guidelines, fostering cooperation tools to achieve shared objectives across Spain’s Marine Protected Areas Network.

The Spanish Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge (MITERD) will engage through the Spanish Cetacean Migration Corridor as a demonstration site to advance the BLUECONNECT Blueprint implementation. In collaboration with ETC-UMA, MITERD will work on developing tools and frameworks for effective planning and conservation management within this Marine Protected Area (MPA), positioning the Mediterranean Cetacean Migration Corridor as a key Demonstration Area under the Horizon BLUE CONNECT project.

WWF Adria – Croatia

WWF Adria, part of the global WWF network, was founded in 2015 to promote sustainable management of water, forests, and protected areas, and to conserve marine, river, and wildlife resources across the Western Balkans. Active since the early 2000s through partner organizations, WWF Adria aims to protect species, habitats, and ecosystems, foster good governance, and ensure equitable natural resource use. Key goals include transforming business practices toward sustainability and empowering civil society for environmental stewardship. WWF Adria also connects local communities with protected areas, promotes sustainable tourism, advocates for eco-friendly hydropower, and supports sustainable seafood. Working in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Slovenia, and Serbia, WWF Adria focuses on inspiring change for long-term conservation in the region. In Blue Connect, WWF Adria is an associated partner.

PEOPLE

Kora Dvorski

Main contact

UHI Shetland – Scotland

UHI Shetland is the most northerly academic partner of the University of Highlands and Islands. We specialise in place based research, engaging people, communities and wider society in decision making.

UHI is Shetland pilot lead and is contributing across all WPs.

PEOPLE

Rachel Shucksmith

WP3 and Task lead 3.3, WP 5 and task lead 5.3

Emily Hague

Shetland Case study lead, and involved in WP 3 and 5

Check our Advisory Board