For the full list of workshop presentations, including implemented solutions and expected impacts of EU Blue Parks Projects, please visit the event page.
On 19 November, the EU Blue Parks initiative under Mission Ocean and Waters hosted its 5th workshop, ‘Achieving Mission Ocean and Waters Protection Targets: Showcasing the EU Blue Parks Projects.’ The online event brought together around 100 stakeholders from public authorities, businesses, research organisations and civil society, featuring 14 speakers who delivered inspiring presentations and engaged in insightful discussions. The workshop explored how Mission Ocean and Waters and Horizon Europe projects are contributing to one of the Mission’s core objectives – protecting 30% of the EU’s sea areas and strictly protecting 10% by 2030 – highlighting both concrete achievements and the potential for broader impact.
A wide spectrum of innovation
The workshop showcased a rich portfolio of Mission funded projects, namely BLUE4ALL, EFFECTIVE, BLUE CONNECT, PROTECT BALTIC, OCEAN CITIZEN, SEAMPHONI and the European Digital Twin Ocean (EDITO), as well as other EU-funded efforts such as MPA Europe and Marine SABRES.
Together, these projects address an extensive set of challenges related to marine protection. Their work spans identifying optimal sites for the designation of new MPAs, expanding existing ones, developing systematic, science-based conservation approaches, supporting connectivity and creating practical tools for MPA managers. They are advancing pilot habitat restoration, strengthening marine governance, improving regional planning, and enhancing digital tools and modelling capacities to better understand and protect marine ecosystems.
Overcoming key barriers
According to the latest monitoring data from the European Environment Agency (EEA), 13.7% of Europe’s seas are currently protected, well below the 30% target set for 2030 under the EU Biodiversity Strategy. Participants agreed that while accelerating the designation of new MPAs is essential, it is not sufficient on its own. Just as critical is ensuring that the marine ecosystems of those areas are correctly protected and preserved, that management is effective, and that MPAs form a coherent and well-connected network by prioritising integration and knowledge.
The discussion highlighted governance as one of the most significant constraints to achieving successful MPA implementation. Slow permitting processes, administrative complexity, fragmented decision-making structures, and the absence of harmonised indicators and definitions all impede progress. Long-term financing models, involving and engaging stakeholders, including private-sector partnerships, also need to be set in place, as well as effective monitoring, enforcement and sustained investment.
Discussions emphasised that while inclusive co-creation requires time and flexibility, early and meaningful stakeholders’ involvement strengthens ownership, improves implementation, and enhances the uptake and relevance of tools. Participants also highlighted the need to accelerate the expansion of strict protection, which remains rare in the EU, underlining its positive impact on ecosystems as well as its potential socio-economic benefits.
The workshop placed emphasis on emerging ocean-related technologies such as Digital Twins, AI, remote sensing and citizen science platforms. These tools were widely recognised as transformative: real-time data promises to reshape monitoring and enforcement, the EU DTO enables researchers to collaborate by using and developing advanced models to simulate different scenarios, and citizen science provides rapid, large-scale data collection and dissemination. Participants stressed, however, that their success depends on ensuring accessibility, long-term sustainability and inclusivity.
A community-driven future
The event reaffirmed the importance of establishing and strengthening collaboration and synergies across projects, networks and authorities, with the EU Blue Parks Community standing out as a leading example. The EU Mission Ocean and Waters approach connecting these community groups is gaining momentum, fostering collaboration beyond siloed initiatives and promoting scalable, lasting deployment practices. Participants described the EU Blue Parks Community as a platform for shared learning that supports the integration of project outputs, prevents duplication, and enables results live on beyond individual project lifecycles, ultimately contributing to a more effective European marine protection agenda.
Looking ahead, members of the EU Blue Parks Community have been invited to contribute to the upcoming call for evidence, expected to be published in the coming weeks, for the new Ocean R&I Strategy announced under the European Ocean Pact. This new strategy will aim to provide the scientific and technological foundations needed to address the pressing environmental challenges the ocean is facing, reduce fragmentation of R&I initiatives, and bridge the gap between research and innovation, thereby supporting EU leadership in ocean research and technology.
The 6th EU Blue Parks Community workshop will take place on 4 March 2026 in Brussels during the European Ocean Days 2026.
In less than two years, the EU Blue Parks Community has grown to nearly 130 members across Europe, bringing together scientists, policymakers, entrepreneurs, donors and practitioners to accelerate marine protection and restoration through knowledge-sharing, innovation and stronger governance. Apply today to join the Community!