Mediterranean Joint Initiative for Climate Adaptation and Risk Prevention

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B NEXT Mediterranean Sea Basin (NEXT MED)

Date of latest update: 2026-02-27

Description

Description (EN):

PROJECT TYPE: 1 - Thematic projects ~ MAIN INTERVENTION FIELD: 060. Adaptation to climate change measures and prevention and management of climate related risks: others, e.g. storms and drought (including awareness raising, civil protection and disaster management systems, infrastructures and ecosystem based approaches) ~ SUMMARY: The Mediterranean Sea is particularly sensitive to climate change, warming 20% faster than the global average while already under significant anthropogenic pressures like shipping, fishing, and tourism. Issues such as rising sea water temperatures, increasing salinity and invasive species are already negatively impacting marine ecosystems and affecting fisheries and tourism. The eastern Mediterranean in particular is a hotspot of rising sea water temperatures and at the same time a major gap in terms of marine observations. Countries in this region are in urgent need of increased climate resilience and adaptation capacity. It is expected that the frequency and intensity of extreme events will increase. Such events include storm surges, erosion, flash floods, marine heat waves (MHW) and Mediterranean hurricanes (“Medicanes”). Further, coastal areas are susceptible to maritime safety and marine pollution incidents because of a lack of operational capacity and situational awareness of the marine environment (despite the high volume of ship traffic and coastal economic activity). To respond to scientific and societal challenges in the area, there is the need for a sustainable and cost-effective multiplatform observing system. We propose the combined use of low-maintenance, user-friendly multiplatform observing systems for a more comprehensive 3D characterization of the region at multiple scales: High-Frequency Radars (HFRs), Ferryboxes, coastal fixed point observatories and in-situ sensors. The need for setting up cost-effective observing systems in the area is further justified by the clear north-south and west-east imbalance of monitoring capabilities. Setting up a multi-level, multi-sector, and cross-border approach in adapting to climate change is an urgent need, and it expected to enhance the capability of eastern Mediterranean countries to jointly develop and and enhance innovation and actions for climate change adaptation, risk prevention & disaster resilience. ~ KEEP KEYWORDS: Institutional cooperation and cooperation networks, Knowledge and technology transfer, Scientific cooperation

Expected Achievements (EN):

Management coordination Communication and dissemination CODE: SO1ER1 ~ SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE: To implement pilots to increase capacity and capability for joint deployment and training for supporting climate change adaptation, risk prevention and disaster resilience. ~ EXPECTED RESULT: - Increased cooperation, capability and innovation in the field of operational oceanography with emphasis on climate change monitoring. - Increased capacity of the eastern Mediterranean to cope with climate change and other hazards. CODE: SO1ER1 ~ SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE: To implement pilots to increase capacity and capability for joint deployment and training for supporting climate change adaptation, risk prevention and disaster resilience. ~ EXPECTED RESULT: - Increased cooperation, capability and innovation in the field of operational oceanography with emphasis on climate change monitoring. - Increased capacity of the eastern Mediterranean to cope with climate change and other hazards. CODE: SO1ER1 ~ SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE: To implement pilots to increase capacity and capability for joint deployment and training for supporting climate change adaptation, risk prevention and disaster resilience. ~ EXPECTED RESULT: - Increased cooperation, capability and innovation in the field of operational oceanography with emphasis on climate change monitoring. - Increased capacity of the eastern Mediterranean to cope with climate change and other hazards.

Project outputs: (1.1) Prepare a Monitoring and evaluation plan.(EN)
(1.2) Organise project meetings.(EN)
(1.3) Prepare Progress reports.(EN)
(1.4) Prepare the Quality and Risk Management Strategy.(EN)
(1.5) Prepare a Technical Manual on reporting and financial procedures.(EN)
(2.1) Develop a Communication Plan.(EN)
(2.2) Inception and Final videos.(EN)
(2.3) Poster.(EN)
(2.4) Social media communication.(EN)
(2.5) Info days(EN)
(2.6) Final Event(EN)
(2.7) External events participation.(EN)
(2.8) Publications(EN)
(3.1) Create a pilot, multi-platform observing system in the eastern Mediterranean.(EN)
(4.1) Utilise an existing digital platform for centralized data collection.(EN)
(4.1) Utilise an existing digital platform for centralized data collection.(EN)
(4.2) Data homogenization and quality control.(EN)
(4.3) Ocean Data Dissemination to EU and other databases.(EN)
(5.2) Promote capacity building and knowledge sharing among partners and stakeholders.(EN)
(5.1) Establish a transnational partnership for adapting and harmonising a common monitoring strategy.(EN)

Thematic information

Scientific cooperation Managing natural and man-made threats, risk management Institutional cooperation and cooperation networks

Priority: (VI-B_MSB_2) Priority 2: A greener, low-carbon and resilient Mediterranean

Priority specific objective: RSO2.4. Promoting climate change adaptation and disaster risk prevention and resilience, taking into account eco-system based approaches

Priority policy objective (Interreg specific objective): PO2 A greener, low-carbon transitioning towards a net zero carbon economy and resilient Europe by promoting clean and fair energy transition, green and blue investment, the circular economy, climate change mitigation and adaptation, risk prevention and management, and sustainable urban mobility

Type of intervention: 060 Adaptation to climate change measures and prevention and management of climate related risks: others, e.g. storms and drought (including awareness raising, civil protection and disaster management systems, infrastructures and ecosystem based approaches)

Partners (9)

Lead Partner: Πανεπιστήμιο Κύπρου

Partner’s ID if not PIC: BY LAW 144 OF 1989 | PROFIT MAKING: False ~ STATUS PUBLIC: True

Department: Ωκεανογραφικό Κέντρο

Address: P.O.Box 20537, 1678 Nicosia, Cyprus

Legal status: public

Organisation type: N.a.

Website (not verified): https://ucy.ac.cy/oceanography

Total budget: EUR 473 900.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 421 771.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 89.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 52 129.00

Institut National des Sciences et Technologies de la Mer

Name: Institut National des Sciences et Technologies de la Mer

Department: Marine Environment Laboratory

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 609519/G | PROFIT MAKING: False ~ STATUS PUBLIC: True

Address: Rue 02 Mars 1934-28- B.P: , 2025 Tunis, Tunisia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: N.a.

Website: http://www.instm.agrinet.tn

Total budget: EUR 471 500.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 419 635.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 89.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 51 865.00

المعهد القومي لعلوم البحار والمصايد

Name: المعهد القومي لعلوم البحار والمصايد

Department: Physical Oceanography

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 991021841 | PROFIT MAKING: False ~ STATUS PUBLIC: True

Address: 101. Kasr El-Ainy St. Cairo, Egypt

Legal status: public

Organisation type: N.a.

Website: https://niof-eg.com

Total budget: EUR 435 500.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 387 595.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 89.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 47 905.00

المجلس الوطني للبحوث العلمية

Name: المجلس الوطني للبحوث العلمية

Department: National Center for Marine Sciences

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 122792 | PROFIT MAKING: False ~ STATUS PUBLIC: True

Address: 59 Zahia Selmane street; P.O.Box 11-8281 Beirut, Lebanon

Legal status: public

Organisation type: N.a.

Website: https://www.cnrs.edu.lb

Total budget: EUR 489 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 435 210.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 89.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 53 790.00

Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale

Name: Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale

Department: Unit for Marine Weather Physical Parameters Monitoring and Marine Climatology

Partner’s ID if not PIC: VAT. N. 10125211002 | PROFIT MAKING: False ~ STATUS PUBLIC: True

Address: Roma, Italy

Legal status: public

Organisation type: N.a.

Website: http://www.isprambiente.gov.it

Total budget: EUR 61 260.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 54 521.40

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 89.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 6 738.60

Università degli Studi di Palermo

Name: Università degli Studi di Palermo

Department: Department of Engineering

Partner’s ID if not PIC: VAT 0060588082 | PROFIT MAKING: False ~ STATUS PUBLIC: True

Address: Piazza Marina, 61 , 90133 Palermo, Italy

Legal status: public

Organisation type: N.a.

Website: https://www.unipa.it

Total budget: EUR 68 952.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 61 367.28

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 89.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 7 584.72

L-Università ta' Malta

Name: L-Università ta' Malta

Department: Department of Geosciences, Faculty of Science

Partner’s ID if not PIC: MT 1289 40 | PROFIT MAKING: False ~ STATUS PUBLIC: True

Address: L-Università ta' MaltaL-Imsida MSD , 2080 Malta, Malta

Legal status: public

Organisation type: N.a.

Website: https://www.um.edu.mt/

Total budget: EUR 168 121.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 149 627.69

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 89.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 18 493.31

Ελληνικό Κέντρο Θαλασσίων Ερευνών

Name: Ελληνικό Κέντρο Θαλασσίων Ερευνών

Department: Institute of Oceanography

Partner’s ID if not PIC: Presidential Decree 164/2 | PROFIT MAKING: False ~ STATUS PUBLIC: True

Address: 46.7km Athens-Sounio Ave., PO Box 712Athens, Greece

Legal status: public

Organisation type: N.a.

Website: http://www.hcmr.gr

Total budget: EUR 415 120.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 369 456.80

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 89.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 45 663.20

Κυπριακό Ινστιτούτο για τη Θάλασσα και τη Ναυτιλία

Name: Κυπριακό Ινστιτούτο για τη Θάλασσα και τη Ναυτιλία

Department: Marine Observation Centre

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 631383199 | PROFIT MAKING: False ~ STATUS PUBLIC: False

Address: Larnaca, Cyprus

Legal status: private

Organisation type: N.a.

Website: https://www.cmmi.blue/

Total budget: EUR 225 100.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 200 339.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 89.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 24 761.00

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

National Institute of Marine Sciences and Technologies

Mediterranean Joint Initiative for Climate Adaptation and Risk Prevention

Partners and Projects info

National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries

Mediterranean Joint Initiative for Climate Adaptation and Risk Prevention

Partners and Projects info

National Council for Scientific Research

Mediterranean Joint Initiative for Climate Adaptation and Risk Prevention

Partners and Projects info

ISTITUTO SUPERIORE PER LA PROTEZIONE E LA RICERCA AMBIENTALE

Mediterranean Joint Initiative for Climate Adaptation and Risk Prevention

Partners and Projects info

University of Palermo

Mediterranean Joint Initiative for Climate Adaptation and Risk Prevention

Partners and Projects info

University of Malta

Mediterranean Joint Initiative for Climate Adaptation and Risk Prevention

Partners and Projects info

Hellenic Centre of Marine Research

Mediterranean Joint Initiative for Climate Adaptation and Risk Prevention

Partners and Projects info

Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute

Mediterranean Joint Initiative for Climate Adaptation and Risk Prevention

Partners and Projects info

University of Cyprus Oceanography Centre

Mediterranean Joint Initiative for Climate Adaptation and Risk Prevention

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): Mediterranean Joint Initiative for Climate Adaptation and Risk Prevention

Project acronym: MedJICARP~A_T_2.2_0353

Project ID: 00009

Project start date: 2025-07-03

Project end date: 2028-07-02

Project status: ongoing

Relevant linked projects:

Metrology for Integrated Marine Management and Knowledge-Transfer Network – MINKE (Funding: H2020-INFRAIA-2018-2020 -Integrating Activities for Starting Communities within the Integrating & opening research infrastructures of European interest call) (EN) | MINKE integrates key European marine metrology research infrastructures, coordinates their use and development and proposes an innovative framework of “quality of oceanographic data” for the different European actors in charge of monitoring and managing the marine ecosystems. MINKE proposes a new vision in the design of marine monitoring networks considering two dimensions of data quality, accuracy and completeness, as the driving components of the quality in data acquisition. This new vision will be framed in a quintuple helix model of innovation, incorporating all the elements involved in the monitoring network design, and these are also the outputs that the proposed project can exploit:
- the context (ocean health), identifying the Essential Ocean variables (EOVs) as the key parameters to monitor
- the civil society (NGO, Makers community, Social media and Citizen Science platforms) as the key actors to ensure data completeness
- the academia researching new methods to ensure the accuracy and the global quality of the final products, developing tools for
integrating the information of top-qualified oceanographic instruments and low-cost instrumentation.
- the industry improving the performance of the observations with new instrumentation, data-transmission systems and cost-effective technologies
- the governments that provide the legal and socio-economic frameworks to develop the proposed network (EN), JERICO-S3 (Funding: H2020-INFRAIA-01- 2018 -2019 (Integrating Activities for Advanced Communities)) (EN) | JERICO-S3 provides a state-of-the-art, fit-for-purpose and visionary observational Research Infrastructure (RI), expertise and high-quality data on European coastal and shelf seas. The project supports world-class research, high-impact innovation and a window of European excellence worldwide. It is structured regionally around 4 Pilot Super Sites (PSS) and 5 Integrated Regional Sites (IRS). Through this innovative structure, JERICO-S3 is targeting a more integrative approach to better observe the coastal ecosystem, raising up the scientific excellence and developing the potential of the different sites, with consideration of the regional and local ecosystems. MedJICARP proposes the implementation of a multi-platform Ocean Observatory in the eastern Mediterranean and the JERICO-S3 experience will be fully exploited. The preliminary development of an e-infrastructure (VRE, Virtual Research Environment) supports scientists and users by offering access to dedicated services and help progress on the design of the RI and its strategy for sustainability. Major user-driven improvements are realized in terms of observing the complexity of coastal seas and continuous observation of the biology, access to facilities, data and services, best practices and performance indicators, innovative monitoring strategies, and cooperation with other European RIs.
List of outputs to be exploited:
- Joint activities with relevant stakeholders
- Access to data and services
- Best practices and monitoring strategies (EN), Copernicus Med InSitu TAC - Phase II (Funding: Mercator Ocean) (EN) | The Copernicus Med InSitu TAC (General Presentation) is the component of the Copernicus Marine Service which ensures a consistent and reliable access to a range of in situ data for the purpose of service production and validation. CMEMS In Situ TAC has two main objectives: a.) To collect multi-source, multi-platform, heterogenous data, perform consistent quality control and distribute it in a common format (NetCDF) and in near-real-time (within 24 hours) to the CMEMS Marine Forecasting Centres (MFC), for assimilation into their numerical ocean models, b.) To supply the MFCs and downstream users with re-processed 25-50-year products in delayed mode. In addition to the near-real-time products, these delayed-mode products are useful for model validation or assimilation in ocean reanalysis and climate studies. HCMR/IO has the responsibility for the operation of the Mediterranean component of the CMEMS InSitu TAC.
List of outputs to be exploited:
- Collection of multi-platform data
- Data quality control
- Data distribution to European databases (EN), I-wavenet (Funding: Interreg Italia Malta) (EN) | The I-wavenet project is an Interreg Italia Malta project. The project aims to set up a systematic, cross-border action, that will mitigate the coastal risk. Through i-waveNET, an innovative monitoring network, integrating different measurement technologies, such as HF radars, microseism sensors, sea level probes, wave buoys and weather stations, have been implemented in Malta-Sicily Channel.
The existing meteo station and HF Radar networks in the Malta Sicily Channel have been complemented with new installations at strategic points. The data collected by the new installations have been standardized, validated and integrated with the in situ meteo-marine measurements, with ECMWF models and COPERNICUS-CMEMS products. Machine and deep learning algorithms have allowed the study of wave motion even through seismic signals. A spectral wave model using measurements from the newly set-up network has provided real-time information about the sea state on a regular grid over a large spatial domain.
The final and operational product of the project has been a decision support system (DSS) that allows stakeholders to make strategic decisions, necessary for routine operations and during emergencies, through the superimposition of various information layers. Finally, the measurements collected and products derived from them allow the creation of a database to mitigate the risk coming from the sea.
The DSS could be exploited as a platform where data and products are integrated to provide services to all interested users. (EN), PLASTIC BUSTERS (Funding: CAP/ENI CBC MED) (EN) | PLASTIC BUSTERS CAP project have capitalised several Plastic Busters MPAs knowledge outputs at basin level, including the toolkit on harmonised marine litter monitoring in Mediterranean MPAs, the synthesis report on showcases on how to prevent and mitigate marine litter in Mediterranean MPAs, the step-by-step guide for operationalising marine litter prevention and mitigation measures, the policy brief on how to achieve GES, the e-learning modules on marine litter monitoring and marine litter prevention and mitigation, and the network of related practitioners in the region. Most of these activities have been coordinated by PP1 (UNISI), while the University of Jordan (PP4) was a partner in all activities performed in this project.
[https://www.enicbcmed.eu/projects/plastic-busters-cap)
List of outputs to be exploited:
Report on the state-of-the-art knowledge to monitor marine litter
Methodology for harmonised marine litter monitoring in biota
Inventory of good practices on marine litter prevention and mitigation measures
Plastic Busters collaborative marine litter network
Organise training workshops for students and representatives of the local community on handling, monitoring and mitigation of plastic pollution.
Conduct monitoring activities of microplastic and other forms of plastic in the sea and the beach.
Carryout mitigation measures to combat plastic pollution in the marine environment. (EN), COastal Management and MOnitoring Network for tackling marine litter in Mediterranean Sea (COMMON)/ENI CBC MED (EN) | Within the MedJICARP project, pilot actions will involve people (economic operators, citizens and authorities) in participatory processes and raise awareness initiatives about climate change adaptation that are foreseen to take place in all 4 project countries. The COMMON experience and momentum on engaging citizens in ML actions and on raising awareness on ML will be fully exploited and will be geographically expanded. A special edition of Clean up the Med, the historical awareness campaign of Legambiente, promoted within COMMON and PB CAP projects, will be labelled with the “climate change” special edition in MedJICARP.
The training activities performed in COMMON and PB CAP to share best practices and enhance stakeholders' capacities in using an EbM/ICZM approach in planning measures to waste management in coastal areas allowed us to obtain contacts with skilled local coastal authorities. The network of coastal cities against ML will be capitalised and participants further invited to participate in the international meetings foreseen in MedJICARP (Output 5.3) in order to enhance a better governance capability. MedJICARP will streamline and widely disseminate tools and knowledge related to climate change adaptation also via this network.
The MedJICARP (Output 5.2) will be strategically disseminated to public authorities and policy-makers to support policy-oriented innovations and practical actions. The COMMON targeted audiences will be invited to join the MedJICARP events and activities.
List of outputs to be exploited:
Citizen engagement and awareness raising activities
Training activities for local stakeholders to introduce marine litter management in ICZM plans
Proposal of actions for developing public policies for an improved management of marine litter
Network of Coastal cities against marine litter
Local Knowledge sharing forums of local stakeholders involved in the marine litter issue. (EN), Co-evolution of coastal human activities & Med natural systems for sustainable tourism & Blue Growth in the Mediterranean (Co-Evolve4BG)/ENI CBC MED (EN) | Regarding the foreseen Co-Evolve4BG pilot actions for developing sustainable tourism in the pilot areas by demonstrating the feasibility and effectiveness of a planning process based on ICZM/MSP principles for sustainable coastal tourism development; these will be promoted by the MEDJICARP project, which will seek to streamline the uptake of climate change adaptation measures and practices within the coastal tourism sector. The training activities addressed to partners and local actors involved in pilot actions will complement and forge synergies with the PB MPAs & CAP, COMMON and Co-Evolve4BG in terms of jointly organising capacity building activities and promoting relevant guidelines and knowledge related to the operationalisation of measures relevant to biodiversity protection, fishery sustainability and climate change adaptation. The results and findings of the Co-Evolve4BG integrated analysis of threats and enabling factors for sustainable tourism at MED scale, particularly those relevant to ecosystem protection and climate change adaptation, will be taken up by MedJICARP These results will pinpoint the necessity for urgent actions at local, national and regional scale with regard to marine litter pollution.
List of outputs to be exploited:
Trainings addressed to partners and local actors involved in pilot actions
Pilot actions for developing sustainable tourism in the pilot areas
Integrated analysis of threats and enabling factors for sustainable tourism at Mediterranean level
Toolkit containing indicators to analyse the level of sustainability of tourism. (EN)

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 2 808 453.00

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 2 499 523.17

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 89.00%

Co-financing sources:

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Contribution to wider strategies and policies:

Other The project falls under the second priority of Interreg NEXT MED Programme ‘’A greener, low-carbon and resilient Mediterranean’’, putting into focus the creation of a well-established monitoring network in the Mediterranean that will create a database with environmental data for climate adaptation and risk prevention. The project’s objectives align with the goals and priorities of the UN Sustainable Development Goal 13 “Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts” by setting the foundations of its objectives’ in the region of the Mediterranean with a coherent and ubiquitous system of environmental monitoring, within the framework of the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda. Furthermore, the project is also adhering with the ‘’New European Agenda for the Mediterranean’’ that promotes the strengthening of the strategic partnership between the European Union and its Southern Neighbourhood partners, by the collaboration of 4 European partner countries and 3 MPC to face common challenges in the region that will be beneficial for all. It also goes in line with the EU Adaptation Strategy that sets out how the EU can adapt to the impacts of climate change and strengthen its resilience by 2050 by providing the necessary data inputs for drawing measures to face climate change. In addition, it focuses on a smart, swift, and systemic adaptation to climate change by relying on international cooperation that is also the main objective of MEDJICARP. Furthermore, MedJICARP will promote the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 that strives to protect nature and reverse degradation of ecosystems and build societies’ resilience to future threats such as the impacts of climate change, as well as the EU Mission: Restore our Ocean and Waters through impactful research and innovation.

Programme Common Output Indicator:

RCO 084 - Pilot actions developed jointly and implemented in projects, Measurement unit:
RCO 081 - Participations in joint actions across borders, Measurement unit:
RCO 087 - Organisations cooperating across borders, Measurement unit:

Programme Common Result Indicator:

RCR 084 - Organisations cooperating across borders after project completion, Measurement unit:
RCR 104 - Solutions taken up or up-scaled by organisations, Measurement unit:

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

Financing programme

2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B NEXT Mediterranean Sea Basin (NEXT MED)

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

2026-02-27

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

59 / 59 (100%)

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

384 / 384 (100%)

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Mediterranean Joint Initiative for Climate Adaptation and Risk Prevention

Description

Thematic information

Partners (9)

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Summary

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

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

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