Climate-Smart Coastal Practices for Blue governance

Programme 2014 - 2020 Interreg IPA CBC Greece - Albania

Date of latest update: 2024-03-02

Description

Description (EN):

BLUECOAST involves the cooperation of Greece and Albania to implement actions for the conservation of some of the most important habitats of the loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta in the Mediterranean, in Zakynthos island (Greece) and the Himara Municipality (Albania). C. caretta is a common marine migratory endangered species in both countries & is protected by several conventions & agreements (Barcelona Con., Bern Con., Bonn Con., Habitats Directive). The challenge is to establish cross-border cooperation and horizontal synergies in order to cover specific conservation needs & improve policies efficiency and also to establish critical conditions and pro-active methods for the long-term conservation of the species. BLUECOAST objective is to provide applicable plans & pro-active methods based on long-term conservation goals and climate change adaptation policy in order to increase C. caretta ecosystem resilience. It will address the major stresses at land & sea, driven by human impact and climate change integrating habitats resilience into the broader regional socioeconomic development. BLUECOST added value is multiple for a highly migratory species (C. caretta), since it considers its complete life circle and large scale areas that are utilizing, having a positive impact on the different areas related to its life cycle (nesting, feeding/wintering grounds, mating/foraging areas, migratory pathways). This value is based on cross-border cooperation and the development of synergies and common actions in order for C. Caretta to reach a higher level of conservation to the target area which exceeds the 9000 hec. (marine/nesting sites) in Greece, & 10000 hec. in Himara municipality and the migration routes. The methodology includes 3 main pillars of outputs: * implementation of a new monitoring solution of combined technics for biotic & abiotic parameters, for day/night data, in order to increase the efficiency in short and long-term conservation monitoring. * production of policy-related scientific data for a deeper insight into blue governance & the pilot implementation of pro-active Climate-Smart initiatives including small nature-based works to selected beaches. * establishment of a cross-border Observatory and the engagement of local communities/authorities (with focus on key-target groups i.e. fishermen) for the long-term sustainability & successful implementation of the management plans. Thus, the project follows a bottom-up approach through the promotion of a participatory mechanism by creating a "blue-cultural hub" in order to contribute to the durable empowerment & awareness of the citizens. BLUECOAST plans to support 4 levels of target groups: 1 decision-makers at local level (local/regional authorities) benefited directly i.e. for the successful implementation of ICZM, MSP, fostering Blue Growth; 2 decision-makers at national level; 3 groups (i.e. fishermen, research/educational centers, media); & 4 local & general public.

Website: https://2014-2020.greece-albania.eu/

Expected Results (EN):

BLUECOAST allows a deeper insight in the climate change adaptation of the Caretta Caretta sea turtle populations and its habitats. This will help the authorities to promote sustainable development plans & new climate adaptation policies with respect to biodiversity. BLUECOAST will provide end-users with effective methodologies & tools to monitor C. caretta ecosystems resilience, supporting the transition towards a more sustainable regional development. Immediate results are: -Elimination/mitigation of coastal degradation of the C. caretta habitats -Elimination of various stress parameters i.e. touristic threats, lighting, at nesting sites -Upgrade of monitoring in Zakynthos for the production of valuable data series for biotic/abiotic parameters at day/night -Engagement-awareness of specific target groups i.e. fishermen for intentional killings decrease -Establishment of post-capture procedures for C. caretta rescue -Establishment of monitoring stations in Albanian target area, currently un-existent -Permanent exchange of data, expertise & best practices between the 2 countries -Policies improvement i.e. issuing of land-use permissions & investments standards -Training of key end-users i.e scientists of public authorities and key target groups i.e. fishermen -Education to increase community-based efforts and blue culture approach (participations to e-courses) -Creating trust & cooperation to the wider socio-economic stakeholders (2 regional networks) -Revision of Natura 2000 sites -Establishment of the sense of ownership of the project by local communities and spread to public. Long-term results: i) C. Caretta pre-mature mortality decrease, ii) Increase of nests, iii) Expansion of protection zoning “ increase of the spatial conservation including the future zones needed for habitats due to sea-level rise, iv) Better ecological status of transitionalsystems as well as shallow waters ecosystems, v) increase the level of conservation by 8% in relation to 2015.

Expected Outputs (EN):

Main outputs: - Conservation/restoration of the habitats of C. Caretta in Zakynthos & Himara for the elimination/mitigation of main threats & pressures - Establishment of a cross-border Observatory for the efficient habitat management - exchange of experiences & expertise - A new monitoring solution for aerial/coastal/marine data, contributing to the habitat health assessment & long-term conservation monitoring - Deploy of monitoring equipment in Albanian target area which is currently non-existent - An Integrated BlueCoast Action Plan based on climate change assessment reports & coastal vulnerability (2050/2100 estimations) to improve the efficiency of coastal governance - implementation of EU guidelines - Adaptation by regional authorities of the common pro-active Action Plan & the standards provided by BLUECOST, challenging other coastal authorities to recognize the fact that connectivity of the environmental problems can be part of the "solution" at a cross-border level - A Data protocol, the standards of which ensure greater interoperability of the different scientific fields &d authorities involved (+ between BLUECOAST & EU data platforms) - Scientific data/maps of main /risk factors for the Natura 2000 sites revision & update Management plans in cross-related fields (land-use, tourism etc) - A blue-cultural hub for key-stakeholders i.e. fishermen, contributing to the reduction of the negative activities frequenting in target areas "“ enhancement of the horizontal local trust-synergies & a community of practice - Short film for C. Caretta conservation spread to the mass media to raise public awareness. BlueCoast main output is the implementation of a cross-border Strategic Action Plan supported by scientific tools for better planning/managing of a C. caretta habitats surface area that exceeds to 9.000 hectares (protected marine area & nesting sites) in Greece and10.000 hectares in Himara Municipality as well as to the migration routes in Ionian Sea and Albania.

Thematic information

Sustainable management of natural resources Climate change and biodiversity

Specific Objective: Increase the effectiveness of environmental protection & sustainable use of natural resources

Thematic Priority:

(b) Protecting the environment and promoting climate change adaptation and mitigation, risk prevention and management through, inter alia: joint actions for environmental protection; promoting sustainable use of natural resources, resource efficiency, renewable energy sources and the shift towards a safe and sustainable low-carbon economy; promoting investment to address specific risks, ensuring disaster resilience and developing disaster management systems and emergency preparedness

Partners (6)

Lead Partner: Organisme de Gestion du Parc National Marin de Zakynhthos

Address: El. Venizelou 1Zakynthos Island, Greece

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.nmp-zak.org

Total budget: EUR 97 000.00

IPA2 budget: EUR 82 450.00

Municipality of Himara

Name: Municipality of Himara

Address: Bashkia Himare SpileHimare, Albania

Legal status: public

Website: http://himara.gov.al/himara/

Total budget: EUR 56 500.00

IPA2 budget: EUR 48 025.00

Agjencia Kombëtare e Bregdetit

Name: Agjencia Kombëtare e Bregdetit

Address: Rr.SermedinSaid Toptani,1,Tirane, Albania

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.bregdeti.gov.al

Total budget: EUR 114 700.00

IPA2 budget: EUR 97 495.00

Decentralized Administration of Peloponnese, Western Greece and the Ionian

Name: Decentralized Administration of Peloponnese, Western Greece and the Ionian

Address: N.E.O. Patron Athinon 158, 26442 Patra, Greece

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.apd-depin.gov.gr

Total budget: EUR 70 000.00

IPA2 budget: EUR 59 500.00

Τεχνολογικό Εκπαιδευτικό Ίδρυμα Ιονίων Νήσων/Ειδικός Λογαριασμός Κονδυλίων Έρευνας

Name: Τεχνολογικό Εκπαιδευτικό Ίδρυμα Ιονίων Νήσων/Ειδικός Λογαριασμός Κονδυλίων Έρευνας

Department: Department of Environmental Technologists

Address: Iosif Momferatou & Ilia Miniati, 28100 Argostoli Cephalonia, Greece

Legal status: public

Website: www.teiion.gr

Total budget: EUR 52 000.00

IPA2 budget: EUR 44 200.00

National & Kapodistrian University Of Athens - Research Committee

Name: National & Kapodistrian University Of Athens - Research Committee

Address: Christou Lada 6, 10561 ATHENS, Greece

Legal status: public

Website: http://lpg.geol.uoa.gr/

Total budget: EUR 96 000.00

IPA2 budget: EUR 81 600.00

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Partners and Projects info

Municipality of Himara

Climate-Smart Coastal Practices for Blue governance

Partners and Projects info

National Coastline Agency

Climate-Smart Coastal Practices for Blue governance

Partners and Projects info

Decentralized Administration of Peloponnese, Western Greece and the Ionian

Climate-Smart Coastal Practices for Blue governance

Partners and Projects info

Technological Educational Institute of Ionian Islands/Special Account For Research Grants

Climate-Smart Coastal Practices for Blue governance

Partners and Projects info

Management Agency of Zakynthos National Marine Park

Climate-Smart Coastal Practices for Blue governance

Partners and Projects info

National & Kapodistrian University Of Athens - Research Committee

Climate-Smart Coastal Practices for Blue governance

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): Climate-Smart Coastal Practices for Blue governance

Project acronym: BlueCoast

Project start date: 2018-04-01

Project end date: 2020-11-30

Project status: closed

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 486 200.00

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 413 270.00

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 85.00%

Co-financing sources:

IPA/IPA II/IPA III: Amount, EUR 413 270.00.

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Financing programme

2014 - 2020 Interreg IPA CBC Greece - Albania

Last month that data in keep.eu was retrieved from the Programme's website or received from the Programme

2020-07-22

No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)

65 / 65 (100%)

No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)

293 / 293 (100%)

Notes on the data

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Climate-Smart Coastal Practices for Blue governance

Description

Thematic information

Partners (6)

Partners map

Summary

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

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