Project details - EFFECTIVE

DESCRIPTION

Welcome to EFFECTIVE, a 4-year Horizon Europe project with the mission to protect and restore the EU’s Mediterranean Blue Natural Capital. By combining cutting-edge science, technological nature-based solutions, digitalization, and social implications, we will create a comprehensive knowledge base and practical guidance for ecosystem-based management.

Join us on this transformative journey, where innovation meets nature’s embrace. Together, we can shape a future where coastal and marine ecosystems thrive, and the blue natural capital flourishes for generations to come.

OBJECTIVES

Our primary objective is to develop a comprehensive scientific knowledge base and practical guidance, combining science, technological nature-based solution, digitalization, and social implication for the application of the Ecosystem-Based management to the protection and restoration management of the EU’s Mediterranean Blue Natural Capital.

In order to achieve our main objective, we have identified the following specific objectives:

Apply EBMS to identify, analyse and extend an ecological corridor in the Mediterranean Sea, connecting habitats and biodiversity.
Apply EBMS to analyse and extend the status of four Marine Protected Areas in the Mediterranean Sea.
Demonstrate four nature-based seabed protection and restoration solutions, including preserving seabed carbon sequestration capacity, in a real environment.
To identify limiting factors, gaps and recommendations of existing MPA legislation regarding environmental and anthropogenic pressures, setting up links with previous projects.
To implement an innovative digital data visualisation and aggregation tool in the form of a Digital Twin for enabling data exploration, research, participation and citizen science.

WORKPLAN

Meet the EFFECTIVE Partners:

The EFFECTIVE consortium includes a diverse range of 22 expert partner organisations, spanning across the three pillars of the Ecosystem-Based Management System (EBMS): managerial pillar, information pillar, and participation pillar.

CTN

The Marine Technology Centre (CTN) is a non-profit business association founded in 2003 to enhance the competitiveness of the marine and maritime sectors through technological innovation and knowledge transfer. Its members include SMEs, large companies, universities, and research centers. CTN is actively involved in various maritime organizations and is a co-founder of the Spanish Maritime Cluster. It also collaborates with public administration through the Institute for the Development of the Region of Murcia.

CTN is the coordinator of the project and will be responsible for WP8. Furthermore, CTN will collaborate in the simulation and integration of predictive models into the Blue Parks Digital Twin.

Ocean Ecostructures

Ocean Ecostructures is a Bluetech company transforming maritime infrastructures into Nature Positive spaces by restoring marine ecosystems. Their goal is to revitalize 20,000 marine spaces by 2030 using innovations like the Bio Boosting System, which combines regeneration technology, robotics, and AI.

In EFFECTIVE, their role is to implement innovative solutions to boost biodiversity.

CMMI

CMMI is a Centre of Excellence in Marine and Maritime Research, Technology, and Innovation focused on sustainable Blue Growth. Through ten Research and Innovation Centres, it advances marine technology, robotics, digitalization, and ecosystem restoration.

Their role in the project focuses on innovative coral species restoration through floating nurseries within and surrounding Cape Greco MPA.

MARIS

Their role in the project focuses on innovative coral species restoration through floating nurseries within and surrounding Cape Greco MPA.

F6S

F6S is a leading global founder and startup network that helps public sector entities around the world to promote, communicate and disseminate technical and research projects. F6S stands for F-ounder-S. Our mission is to help founders and their startups grow to solve the world's pressing social, economic, environmental, sustainability and innovation problems. In addition to F6S' work with governmental entities, we also work with corporates, investors, research institutions, programs, universities and others in the global startup ecosystem. F6S tools deliver company growth through grants, partnerships, funding, investment, pilot contracts, jobs & talent recruitment and company services.

In the EFFECTIVE project, F6S focuses on the communication, dissemination and advocacy for all EFFECTIVE results and achievements.

SPOTTERON

SPOTTERON provides Citizen Science apps and services for science projects and institutions, focusing on design, reliability, and user engagement. Trusted by universities and institutions across Europe and beyond, SPOTTERON develops custom digital solutions, including Citizen Science applications, project websites, and advanced data analysis and visualization tools.

In EFFECTIVE, SPOTTERON plays a key role in transforming Citizen Science with its innovative App Toolkit, enabling communities to collect data, engage actively, and communicate science interactively.

Coral Soul

Coral Soul is a multidisciplinary team with extensive experience in coral reef restoration, monitoring, and environmental education. Their work combines scientific expertise with community engagement to protect and rehabilitate marine ecosystems.

In the EFFECTIVE project, Coral Soul leads the Cold-Water Coral Reefs Restoration Program, implementing innovative restoration techniques and ecosystem monitoring to assess climate change impacts and enhance seabed surveillance.

FORTH

FORTH specializes in research focused on numerical simulation, environmental monitoring, and the development of innovative solutions for engineering and physiological processes.

In the EFFECTIVE project, FORTH contributes their expertise by developing ecosystem predictive models for the Blue Parks Digital Twin and conducting habitat suitability distribution modeling on a large scale.

ETT

ETT has extensive experience in developing and managing marine and ocean data information systems, including ICT projects, web portals, mobile apps, databases, web GIS applications, and virtual/augmented data access.

In the EFFECTIVE project, ETT is responsible for integrating data, products, and predictive models into both the 2D and 3D developments of the Blue Parks Digital Twin.

DHI

DHI is an expert in developing and implementing solutions that address real-life challenges in water environments globally.

In the EFFECTIVE project, DHI focuses on habitat-suitable mapping and spatial-temporal monitoring modeling to predict ecosystem developments.

HCMR

HCMR has extensive experience in oceanography, marine resources, inland waters, marine biology, genetics, and aquaculture.

In the EFFECTIVE project, HCMR contributes through an integrated and multidisciplinary approach to all tasks related to benthic biodiversity research and activities.

SEASTAINABLE VENTURES

Seastainable Ventures is an expert in accelerating and managing new and innovative projects to support society’s transition to a blue economy. It is currently the leading venture builder platform in the Blue Economy of the Mediterranean and Southern Europe.

In the EFFECTIVE project, they develop innovative business models to ensure economic sustainability and long-term success.

IOW

IOW is an expert in research focused on coastal and marginal seas, with a special emphasis on the Baltic Sea ecosystem.

In the EFFECTIVE project, IOW contributes to ecosystem services provision assessment and the replicability and implementation of the Ecosystem-Based Management Strategy (EBMS) from the European Northern Seas approach.

Eurecat

EURECAT specializes in cross-cutting research and innovation, focusing on climate change impact assessments and adaptation strategies for natural and anthropogenic systems, particularly in coastal areas and river basin management.

In the EFFECTIVE project, EURECAT contributes by developing innovative restoration solutions for coastal and wetland areas, emphasizing stakeholders’ engagement and sustainable management through the application of Ecosystem-Based Management Strategies (EBMS).

UkrNCEM

UkrSCES is an expert in oceanographic and ecological investigations across various regions of the World Ocean, conducting marine expeditions and ensuring safe navigation.

In the EFFECTIVE project, UkrSCES contributes by supporting the replicability and implementation of Ecosystem-Based Management Strategies (EBMS) from the approach of Black Sea Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).

IO-BAS

The Institute of Oceanology – Bulgarian Academy of Sciences is a leading research institution specializing in fundamental and applied oceanography, aligning with global scientific trends. Its mission is to develop sustainable management strategies for the Black Sea ecosystem, ensuring compliance with regional and European legislation while applying an ecosystem-based approach.

In the EFFECTIVE project, they focus on the replicability and implementation of the Ecosystem-Based Management System (EBMS) using insights from Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the Black Sea.

CSIC

The Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) specializes in identifying biodiversity, understanding ecosystem functions and interactions, and applying this knowledge for sustainable resource management. Their research also focuses on predicting ecosystem responses to environmental changes.

In the EFFECTIVE project, CSIC contributes to the implementation of the Ecosystem-Based Management System (EBMS), biodiversity characterization, and governance, ensuring a science-driven approach to marine conservation.

OOF

One Ocean Foundation brings extensive experience in addressing ocean challenges by inspiring global leaders, promoting a sustainable blue economy, and advancing ocean literacy.

In the EFFECTIVE project, they focus on policy framework assessment, Ecosystem-Based Management System (EBMS) implementation strategies, governance, and blue natural capital, driving sustainable marine conservation efforts.

IMPACT2DAY

IMPACT2DAY specializes in events, media, and marketing consultancy, offering both virtual and in-person solutions.

In the EFFECTIVE project, they lead communication and dissemination efforts, ensuring project results reach a wide audience and drive meaningful impact.

Federparchi

Federparchi brings extensive experience in managing natural protected areas and participating in EU-funded projects focused on marine and terrestrial conservation.

In the EFFECTIVE project, they contribute to Marine Protected Areas governance and stakeholder engagement, ensuring effective collaboration for ecosystem protection and restoration.

FJORDSTRONG

FJORDSTRONG (Associate Partner) specializes in research using ABUV technology, offering a non-invasive solution for biodiversity surveys where traditional destructive sampling methods are no longer viable.

In the EFFECTIVE project, leads zero-impact benthic and demersal biodiversity surveys using stereo-BRUVs to establish a baseline for marine elasmobranch biodiversity. They conduct follow-up monitoring at the same sites and times of year to assess changes in fish assemblages, reef conditions, and potential thermal stress impacts. Their participation spans multiple work packages, contributing to ecosystem assessment and conservation efforts.

Seabots

GPA specializes in marine environment analysis, preservation, and restoration through cutting-edge technology.

In the EFFECTIVE project, they focus on biodiversity monitoring, seabed prospection, and carbon sequestration characterization to support ecosystem restoration and conservation.