The first MARSPLAN-BS is one of the projects funded by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund between 2014 and 2019 and included in new DG MARE/EASME publication - Ocean Health: Projects that innovate. MARSPLAN-BS was the first project helping Bulgarian and Romanian national authorities and researchers to work together on the transposition of the EU´s Maritime Spatial Planning Directive.
By encouraging the dialogue and information exchange, the project has helped the two countries to find common solutions to shared problems, inaugurating cross-border spatial in the Black Sea. A common vision and common strategic goals for both countries have emerged, the end goal being to develop a sound marine ecosystem and boost economic growth in the region.
The European Maritime and Fisheries Fund does not just support fisheries, but also maritime policy. It is mainly national administrations who decide how to use the amounts they receive to support both fisheries and the blue economy. The European Commission also manages a small percentage of the Fund (4.5%), which goes to innovative projects and sustainable activities and helps coordinate maritime cooperation across borders. Over the years, this “direct funding” has supported many new ideas all over Europe.
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