Support to the BLUEMED Initiative: Coordination of marine and maritime research and innovation activities in the Mediterranean

This action is expected to contribute to the implementation of 'The BLUEMED Initiative' vision with its related Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda and Implementation Plan. This calls for the further alignment and convergence of national research and innovation activities and other relevant initiatives and investments with the different actors and across different sectors in primis between the European countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea coasts and the whole EU. In this context, proposals should establish and consolidate an operational network of marine and maritime research funders and other key players. Proposals should support the design and implementation of new transnational joint activities, by using the most suitable and effective collaboration methods and tools. These new activities should focus on the key challenges and other relevant issues identified in the BLUEMED Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) and related Implementation Plan, namely support for technology d

The Mediterranean Sea is going through rapid changes in response to closely interlinked natural and anthropogenic pressures. Climate change influences its physical dynamics and hydrological structure, while nutrient and pollutant loads are flowing from growing urban areas, land and coastal activities. Increasing maritime traffic also leads to safety concerns, potential pollution and the introduction of invasive alien species. Fishing remains unsustainable. The area's marine heritage and its ecosystem services are also at risk. In addition, the geo-political complexity of the area adds further difficulties related to the establishment of favourable framework conditions to support the growth of a blue economy (e.g. in trans-border cooperation on sea-related activities, including maritime spatial planning). Within this frame, coordinated and integrated action needs to be carried out by Member States individually and among Member States together in order to create synergies and complementarities between sector

To contribute to the implementation of the BLUEMED Initiative's vision, its related Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda and Implementation Plan, proposals must:

• Make the Mediterranean Sea healthier, more productive, resilient, better known and valued.
• Boost the knowledge base and contribute to creating the right conditions for developing new technologies and services and for improving human and infrastructure capacity in the Mediterranean region.
• Boost the 'blue economy' and contribute to creating more jobs in the Mediterranean region.
• Increase the competitiveness of EU researchers, industry and SMEs within the marine and maritime sectors.
• Improve the coordination and alignment of national marine and maritime research programmes.
• Maximise the impact of national and EU-funded marine and maritime research.
• Contribute to the implementation of the EU Integrated Maritime Policy, its environmental pillar the Marine Str