The Mediterranean Sea is one of the European sea basins’ most vulnerable to climate change, warming significantly faster than the global average. Rising sea temperatures, biodiversity loss, habitat degradation, pollution, and overfishing are placing increasing pressure on marine ecosystems and the coastal communities that depend on them.

In response to these growing challenges, the MPA4Change project was launched to strengthen the role of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) as effective ocean-based solutions for climate adaptation and resilience across the Mediterranean basin.

The project’s innovative approach and regional impact have been widely recognised, earning MPA4Change WestMED’s best project award in 2025, highlighting its contribution to advancing climate adaptation and sustainable marine conservation across the region.

Watch the project pitch by Joaquim Garrabou during the WestMED Stakeholder Conference 2025 in Tunis (YouTube)

Building Collaboration Across the Region

Funded through the Interreg Euro-MED Programme and coordinated by the Spanish Research Council (CSIC), MPA4Change brings together a wide network of scientific institutions, conservation organisations, protected area managers, and policy experts from across Europe and the Mediterranean. Building on the foundations laid by earlier initiatives such as MPA-Adapt and MPA-Engage, the project focuses on transferring proven tools, methodologies, and expertise into practical action for MPA managers and decision-makers.

Turning Knowledge into Action

At the heart of the project is the development of a long-term Action Plan for Mediterranean MPAs. This includes improving climate risk assessment, monitoring systems, restoration practices, participatory governance, citizen science, and adaptation planning.

MPA4Change also supports policy dialogue at regional and European levels, helping align local conservation efforts with broader climate and biodiversity strategies. Training programmes, expert networks, and innovative digital tools are empowering managers to better understand climate vulnerabilities and implement effective adaptation measures on the ground.

MPA4Change Project coordinator Joaquim Garrabou explains:

“The  toolkits to support the elaboration of MPA adaptation plan was developed during the MPA-Adapt project and later refined and successfully tested through MPA-Engage and MPA4Change across contrasted socio-ecological contexts. However, we realised that to scale-up we needed to define an operational but ambitious goal to support the integration of climate adaptation strategies   in the Mediterranean marine protected areas network. This led us to create the 100MPA MedAlliance: acollaborative initiative aimed building a resilient network to face the climate change of at least 100 MPAs across the Mediterranean.”

Looking Ahead: The 100MPA MedAlliance

Although the project’s initial phase concluded in 2025, its long-term impact will continue through the expansion of the 100MPA MedAlliance. This initiative aims to engage 100 Mediterranean Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) by 2030, supporting them in implementing climate adaptation strategies and promoting the exchange of knowledge and best practices across borders.

Through continued collaboration, capacity building, and scientific innovation, the project is helping shape a more connected and resilient Mediterranean network of protected marine areas.

As climate pressures continue to intensify, MPA4Change demonstrates how cooperation, science, and nature-based solutions can work together to safeguard marine biodiversity while supporting sustainable coastal livelihoods for future generations.

EU’s support for Marine Protected Areas

The EU supports Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) through a combination of binding environmental legislation, strategic biodiversity targets and dedicated funding instruments. At policy level, MPAs are a core delivery mechanism for the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, which aims to protect at least 30% of EU marine waters and ensure strict protection for at least 10%. This is reinforced by the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, which requires Member States to achieve or maintain “Good Environmental Status” of marine waters, and by the Habitats Directive and Birds Directive, which underpin the Natura 2000 network – the largest coordinated system of protected areas in the world, including extensive marine sites.

Financially, the EU supports MPAs through several funding streams that help turn policy goals into implementation. The European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) provides targeted support for conservation, sustainable fisheries management and the protection of marine ecosystems within and around MPAs. The EU’s LIFE Programme co-finances environmental and climate projects, including Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).

Research and innovation funding through Horizon Europe supports scientific knowledge, monitoring systems and new tools for ecosystem-based management. In addition, cross-border cooperation programmes such as Interreg (including Interreg Euro-MED) fund practical collaboration between countries to improve governance, capacity building and on-the-ground management of MPAs, particularly in shared sea basins like the Mediterranean.

Additional materials
MPA4Change policy brief – FROM TOOLS TO ACTION
MPA4Change Climate Adaptation Factsheets
100MPA MedAlliance brochure
100MPA MedAlliance policy brief

On 28 November 2025, over 200 stakeholders from both shores of the Mediterranean gathered in Tunis, Tunisia, for the 5^th WestMED Stakeholder Conference – a flagship event of the WestMED Initiative.

Building on previous editions in Barcelona, Algiers, Rome, and Malta, this year’s conference highlighted the role of maritime clusters, blue skills, ocean literacy, energy transition, and maritime spatial planning in promoting a more competitive, sustainable, and resilient blue economy across the Western Mediterranean sea basin.

The conference was hosted by the Tunisian co-presidency of the WestMED and organized by the WestMED Assistance Mechanism, with the support of the European Commission.

Recognizing Excellence: WestMED Project Awards 2025

A highlight of the conference was the announcement of the WestMED Project Awards, now in their third edition. These awards honor outstanding projects aligned with the WestMED priorities, providing winners with visibility and recognition across the Mediterranean blue economy community.

• Award winners showcased innovation in marine protected areas management, energy transition in fisheries and aquaculture, blue skills and maritime clusters, demonstrating how local initiatives can have a regional impact.
• This recognition not only boosts the projects’ visibility but also strengthens cross‑border cooperation, encouraging replication of similar initiatives in other sea basins.

This edition showed a record number of 71 applications.  The award winners were:

• BLUEPSOL: developing solar-powered solutions for sustainable fishing and aquaculture,
  reducing emissions and costs (also voted by participants as the ‘best-of-the-best’).
• YEP MED: connecting training centres, ports, and companies across the Mediterranean to align education with real labour market needs
• MPA4Change: empowering Mediterranean MPAs to adapt, build resilience, and combat climate change.
• BCThubs: building technology excellence hubs, advancing  underwater cultural heritage and sustainable blue economy 
• ​ CallmeBlue: strengthening Mediterranean clusters, fostering cooperation, empowering communities and enhancing skills inclusively.
  

European Ocean Pact & new Pact for the Mediterranean

Two major policy frameworks were discussed during the conference:

• EU Ocean Pact: presented as a unifying framework to safeguard Europe’s seas, it emphasizes sustainability, resilience, and innovation. The conference explored how WestMED priorities support this broader EU agenda.
• Pact for the Mediterranean: recently launched, this pact aims to align Mediterranean countries around shared commitments for a resilient and sustainable sea basin. The WestMED Assistance Mechanism was highlighted as a bridge between the pact’s ambitions and concrete project implementation.

Together, these pacts signal a new era of Mediterranean maritime cooperation, linking regional action to European strategies.

Launch of the Blue Skills Technical Stakeholder Group
Recognizing that skills gaps are among the biggest barriers to a thriving blue economy, the conference announced the creation of a new technical stakeholder group on Blue Skills.

• This group will bring together experts from the different Western Mediterranean countries to map skill needs, organise training programs, and promote ocean literacy.
• It will serve as a platform for universities, training centers, industry, and policymakers to coordinate efforts.
• By focusing on capacity building, the group aims to ensure that the Western Mediterranean workforce is equipped to drive the energy transition, innovation, digitalization and maritime spatial planning.

The 2025 WestMED Stakeholder Conference delivered three clear outcomes:

1. Celebration of award‑winning projects that exemplify innovation and cooperation.
2. Integration of the EU Ocean Pact and the Pact for the Mediterranean into WestMED’s operational agenda.
3. Launch of a technical stakeholder group on Blue Skills, setting the stage for long‑term workforce development.

Together, these outcomes reinforce the WestMED Initiative’s role as a catalyst for sustainable growth, resilience, and collaboration across the Western Mediterranean and beyond. Next year’s co-presidency will be taken over by Spain and Tunisia, in line with the rotating governance structure of the WestMED Initiative.

A WestMED steering committee meeting preceded the conference, engaging participating countries and the European Commission in discussions on progress and next steps under the initiative.

Conference report

Download the comprehensive conference report.

Copyright photo: Simon Pugh

The EU Sea Basin Assistance Mechanism gathered experts from 15 countries to discuss maritime regional cooperation in Europe’s Atlantic facade, the Western Mediterranean and the Black Sea.

On 25 September 2025, alongside the Macro-Regional and Sea Basins Strategies Days, a dedicated networking event was held in Brussels for the National Hubs of the Sea Basin Strategies’ Assistance Mechanism. The gathering served as a platform for meaningful dialogue, strategic reflection, and future-oriented discussions aimed at advancing the EU’s Sea Basin Strategies and the Ocean Pact.

The session began with presentations on two key EU policy initiatives: the newly introduced European Ocean Pact and the upcoming budget framework for the blue economy.

• The Ocean Pact outlines the EU’s comprehensive vision for ocean governance, consolidating various ocean-related policies under one strategic umbrella. It focuses on six core objectives: safeguarding ocean health, promoting a sustainable and competitive blue economy, empowering coastal and island communities, enhancing maritime security, expanding ocean literacy and research, and strengthening global ocean diplomacy.
• The proposed 2028–2034 EU budget aims to offer greater flexibility to Member States and increase support for sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, and maritime sectors. It also prioritizes investment in ocean monitoring, innovation, blue economy initiatives, and international marine governance.

Engaging with National Hubs

National Hubs play a central role in implementing sea basin strategies at the national level. They collaborate closely with the European Commission, national authorities, implementing bodies, and regional stakeholders. During the event, representatives from the National Hubs, Sea Basin coordinators, the Assistance Mechanism team, DG MARE, and CINEA shared perspectives on enhancing future cooperation. The open format encouraged candid discussions on current challenges, opportunities, and reaffirmed a collective commitment to the EU’s maritime vision.

Celebrating Success: Photo Exhibition

On the Macro-Regional and Sea Basins Strategies Days, a photo exhibition showcased impactful projects supported by the Sea Basins Assistance Mechanism. The exhibition featured projects from across the Atlantic, Black Sea and WestMED, such as:

• Aquawind (Atlantic) – a pioneering project combining offshore renewable energy with finfish aquaculture, offering innovative solutions for sustainable food and energy production.
• Black Sea CONNECT (Black Sea) – focused on boosting research collaboration and launching the Black Sea Young Ambassadors Programme.
• 2B-BLUE (WestMED) – aimed at strengthening the blue biotechnology sector through demonstration sites, public–private partnerships, and knowledge exchange.

These examples illustrate how the Sea Basins Assistance Mechanism is driving innovation, fostering cross-border collaboration, and promoting knowledge-sharing across Europe’s maritime regions. From renewable energy in ports to youth engagement and blue biotech, the showcased projects reflect the Ocean Pact’s goals in action—protecting marine ecosystems, empowering coastal communities, and building a resilient blue economy.

The networking event reaffirmed the essential role of National Hubs in delivering the EU’s Sea Basins Strategies and underscored the importance of ongoing dialogue and cooperation to achieve shared maritime objectives.

Read the full executive summary of the Macro-Regional & Sea Basin Strategies Days