Implementation of the Ecosystem Approach in the Adriatic Sea through Marine Spatial Planning (GEF Adriatic)
2017-2020
GEF Adriatic is a 1,817,900 USD project funded by the GEF (International Water and Biodiversity focal areas - GEF 6 Strategy) and implemented by the UNEP/MAP Coordinating Unit with PAP/RAC and SPA/RAC in Albania and Montenegro.
Beneficiaries and national coordinators of the activities are the Ministry of Tourism and Environment with the National Agency for Protected Areas of Albania, and the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism of Montenegro.
Objectives
The overall objective of the project is to restore the ecological balance of the Adriatic Sea through the implementation of the ecosystem approach and the improvement of management capacity in Albania and Montenegro through MSP as a viable marine management tool.
The project builds on the successful implementation of the ICZM strategies under the MedPartnership and on lessons learned in the management of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).
The UNEP/MAP Coordinating Unit, PAP/RAC and SPA/RAC provide technical assistance to Albania and Montenegro to strengthen their management capacity in the following areas:
- increasing the level of knowledge in the participating countries to achieve joint assessment, protection and sustainable use of marine areas;
- strengthening national capacity for sub-regional marine management through targeted demonstration of successful tools and practices;
- sharing knowledge and experience to secure successful participation of stakeholders.
Expected results
- The implementation of Marine field Surveys aligned with IMAP in Albania and Montenegro;
- The preparation of the first integrated monitoring programmes, fully in line with IMAP-requirements, for Albania and Montenegro;
- Science-based assessment towards GES for national data base systems in Albania and Montenegro, in line with the IMAP INFO system;
- Capacity building trainings organized for Albanian and Montenegrin experts related to IMAP and MSP;
- The initiation of an MSP process initiated in Montenegro.
The project brings an innovative hands-on approach to the application of the Ecosystem Approach, notably by fostering:
- collaboration among international, regional and national multidisciplinary actors;
- integration in the implementation of several Ecological Objectives under IMAP;
- innovation, insofar as the project supports non-EU countries in conducting GES assessments, in addressing sectoral silos in national programmes and in introducing a novel methodological approach for MSP based on the Ecosystem Approach;
- knowledge acquisition at national level, including through capacity building;
- synergy as outputs and methodology are used to implement the MSP Pilot project and the Adriatic scope initiative (both supported by IMELS, Italy) as well as the IMAP/MPA project and the third phase of the EcAp MED project.
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