Large-scale demonstration of protection, restoration and management of blue forest ecosystems in European sea basins

Expected Outcome: Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes: Increased area and improved condition of marine and coastal vegetated habitats within EU waters through effective on-site conservation, restoration and management of activities to help deliver on the objectives of the Nature Restoration Regulation; Maintained and enhanced capacity of blue carbon ecosystems to naturally store carbon, supporting EU climate mitigation goals; Enhanced capacity of marine vegetated habitats/blue carbon ecosystems to support biodiversity and fisheries; Established novel financing and incentive mechanisms that support conservation, restoration and management of blue forest ecosystems projects; Raised public awareness and improved community participation in blue forest ecosystems protection, restoration and management activities, ensuring long-term involvement. Scope: This topic seeks innovative multidisciplinary projects that will advance large-scale demonstration of protection, restoration and management of blue forest ecosystems, focusing on the assessment of ecological interactions, restoration of degraded ecosystems, conservation, and sustainable management within European sea basins. Projects are required to develop collaborations with EU Member States and Associated Countries national and regional agencies and authorities and policy makers and engage with local communities, researchers and NGOs. The direct involvement of relevant authorities and stakeholders in the consortium is strongly encouraged. Proposals should target the development and implementation of comprehensive strategies that integrate blue carbon ecosystems into marine biodiversity frameworks, in particular in the implementation of the national restoration plans under the Nature Restoration Regulation. Proposals are expected to show how their activities and results will help achieve the Mission’s objectives and targets. Each proposal should address only one basin / Mission “lighthouse”, which should be explicitly stated in the proposal, i.e.: 1. Atlantic and Arctic sea basin or 2. Mediterranean Sea basin or 3. Baltic and North Sea basin or 4. Danube River basin (including the Black Sea). Activities should be tailored to address regional/sea basin specificities. The basins / Mission “lighthouses” include the river basins flowing into the respective sea basins. Proposals should address all of the following: Protection and restoration activities: Initiatives aiming to restore ecologically relevant, degraded marine and coastal habitats and species, through imp…