Sustainable Mediterranean at the heart of MEDIGREEN – The European Union is accelerating the ecological transition in the Mediterranean with the MEDIGREEN project, an initiative aimed at revolutionising the management of maritime space and making key sectors of the blue economy more sustainable. Madrid hosted the kick-off meeting of this ambitious plan, which is part of the European Green Deal and aims to ensure harmonious development between fishing, aquaculture, renewable energies and the protection of the marine ecosystem.
Maritime spatial planning (MSP) is at the heart of the MEDIGREEN strategy. This innovative approach involves the integrated management of sea-related economic activities, optimising resources and reducing conflicts between sectors.
The objective is clear: to strike a balance between economic growth and biodiversity conservation by promoting shared governance among Mediterranean countries.
One of the most remarkable aspects of the project is the participation of nations both within and outside the EU. This transnational collaboration represents a significant step towards joint management of marine resources, which is crucial in a region characterised by interdependent economies and fragile ecosystems.
During the Madrid meeting, international experts and institutional representatives outlined the operational guidelines of MEDIGREEN, emphasising the need for constant dialogue between the various actors involved. The Mediterranean Maritime Spatial Planning Community of Practice (MED-MSP-CoP) will play a key role in coordinating activities and developing shared strategies for maritime spatial management.
The project, co-funded by the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (FEAMPA) and coordinated by the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO, CSIC), will last 30 months and will involve 12 entities from 7 Mediterranean countries: Italy, France, Greece, Algeria, Malta, Tunisia and Spain. Among the main objectives is also the elaboration of a document of recommendations on OEMs in the Mediterranean, resulting from the work carried out in the MED-MSP-CoP workshops.
The importance of MEDIGREEN lies not only in its ability to promote sustainability, but also in its potential to strengthen the region’s blue economy. Strategic maritime spatial planning could become a replicable model on a global scale, turning the Mediterranean into an open-air laboratory for ecological transition.
With the Mediterranean at the centre of crucial environmental and economic challenges, MEDIGREEN represents a turning point for the future of the mare nostrum. An initiative that demonstrates how international cooperation and resource-conscious management can become key levers for equitable and sustainable development.
Sustainable Mediterranean at the heart of MEDIGREEN
