Past Events
Echoes of the MSP4BIO Webinar – Nature-Inclusive MSP: Insights from MSP4BIO Test Sites
The first webinar in the MSP4BIO final series aiming to promote project outcomes, took place on April 9, 2025, hosted by s.Pro and CCMS. This exclusive online event, conducted via Teams, attracted approximately 60 participants, including the Communities of Practice (CoPs) members established within the project.
The webinar delved into the latest advancements in science-driven Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) and their implications for biodiversity conservation, as well as the enhancement of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) integration. It highlighted and demonstrated results from the operationalization and real-world applications of the MSP4BIO Ecological and Socio-Economic (ESE) Framework tools, which facilitated the development of targeted spatial and strategic solutions across the six MSP4BIO test sites, to accelerate biodiversity protection and restoration within the MSP context.
Read more: Echoes of the MSP4BIO Webinar – Nature-Inclusive MSP: Insights from MSP4BIO Test Sites
Fifth MSP4BIO General Assembly showcased main achievements
Partners from MSP4BIO got together for the Fifth General Assembly Meeting held on 5 and 6 of February 2025 in an online format event. The two days meeting was filled with intense presentations on the main results achieved in the MSP4BIO and discussions on fine-tunning the outcomes and their widespread communication and promotion across the six test sites and beyond.
On the first day, in active interactive sessions partners discussed and contributed to socio-ecological management framework for MPAs and MSP integration and to the formulation of recommendations on Strategic Environmental Assessment process for MPA and MSP integration. In the afternoon the recent updates on the ESE Integrated Framework, feedbacks from MSP4BIO Communities of Practice and next steps were presented and discussed among partners to fine-tune the ESE tools, ecological and socio-economic criteria and measures for better alignment of MSP and MPAs. Afterwards, policy solutions for each test sites and results from the Think Thank science-policy events were presented and brainstormed to facilitate the biodiversity mainstreaming in MSP and to address the gaps in EU and Regional Seas Policy Frameworks for improved integration of biodiversity protection in a science-based MSP.
Read more: Fifth MSP4BIO General Assembly showcased main achievements
BLUE CONNECT at the European Ocean Days 2025!
From March 3rd-7th, the EUROPEAN OCEAN DAYS brought together policymakers, researchers, and practitioners in Brussels to discuss the future of Ocean Governance, Marine Conservation, and the Blue Economy. As part of the BLUE CONNECT project, we were there to gather insights on the latest marine protection strategies and challenges, connect with key stakeholders and explore potential collaborations.
One of the highlights was the MPA Card Game, developed collaboratively by BLUE CONNECT, BIOPROTECT, PHAROS, BLUE4ALL, Marine Plan, and MSP4BIO.
The game was a hit!
CCMS represented MSP4BIO & BLUE CONNECT projects at the Mission Arena 3
Two weeks ago, the Mission Arena 3 of the BlueMission Banos took place in Amsterdam, organized by the coordinator SUBMARINER Network, Berlin, Germany. With over 200 participants addressing challenges in the Blue Circular Economy, the MSP4BIO and BLUE CONNECT were proud to be showcased along with BLUE4ALL and MPA Europe projects.
On November 26-27th, 2024, during the 3rd Blue Mission Arena in Amsterdam, the panel session "Connecting Seas: Cooperation and Tools for EU Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)" brought together leading voices from EU-funded projects to address critical challenges and opportunities in marine conservation. This session united representatives from the MSP4BIO&BLUE CONNECT projects, including from CCMS, as well as BioProtect, BLUE4ALL and MPA Europe. Each project showcased groundbreaking tools and methodologies designed to safeguard marine biodiversity while fostering sustainable governance and stakeholder collaboration in Marine Protected Areas across Europe.
Read more: CCMS represented MSP4BIO & BLUE CONNECT projects at the Mission Arena 3