Within the PREP4BLUE project, one goal is to build capacity and support stakeholder engagement for the R&I Core. To achieve this, a series of (virtual) capacity building activities, titled “Stakeholder engagement in Mission Ocean & Waters webinars” will be provided.
The webinar series aims to help upskill participants in the use of different stakeholders’ methods/tools. Over three one-hour sessions, participants will learn good practices on stakeholder engagement in line with the targets of the EU Mission: Restore Our Ocean and Waters By 2030 (or Mission Ocean). These webinars are designed as bite-sized, targeted sessions that will equip the audience with key information and knowledge of where/how to access more details or expertise. The schedule for the first bunch of webinars is below.
The webinar series is aimed primarily at anyone working on Mission Ocean Coordination and Support Actions (CSAs). It will also be of interest to current Mission-funded projects, as well as those working on stakeholder engagement in marine and freshwater-related activities across NGOs, industry, research, and local government sectors.
If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Susana Baston at sbaston@cetmar.org
Webinar Schedule
Webinar 1: Bridging Missions: Stakeholder Engagement Strategies for Climate Change Adaptation and Ocean Initiatives
Registration: Here
Date/time: Wednesday 3rd July, 12.00 am CEST, Online
Details:
This webinar will introduce the decision-making assessment tool being implemented in the TransformAr project: Accelerating and upscaling transformational adaptation in Europe. The primary objective of the stakeholder assemblies is to identify strategic priorities and focus efforts when adapting the mussel culture to climate change. This involves local and regional stakeholders in the co-development of innovative solutions. While the project falls under the Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change its results are also transferable to the Mission Restore our Oceans and Waters.
About the trainer: Lucía Fraga Lago, CETMAR
Lucía Fraga Lago is graduated in Marine Sciences. Since 2002, Lucía coordinates the Training department of the Technology Centre of the Sea, CETMAR, developing projects to improve the quality of life of the maritime sectors through training, promoting the green skills, and ocean literacy. Besides, she is coordinating the Galicia demonstrator linked to the TransformAr project, addressed at promoting transformational adaptation solutions for the mussel and clams aquaculture communities in Galicia.
Webinar 2: From Stakeholders Engagement to Policy: Assessing Marine Biodiversity Value
Registration: Here
Date/time: Wednesday 17th July, 12.00 pm CEST, Online
Details:
This webinar will introduce at which degree citizens and other stakeholders are engaged when developing the different methodologies for monetary assessing the contribution of the marine biodiversity (from microbes to megafauna) to people wellbeing. Some examples will be provided emerging from the BIOcean5D project co-funded by the European Union to give answer to policy makers who require start merging those valuations together with other environmental variables into decision-making, also, using to estimate the cost of the environmental degradation, among others.
About the trainers: PhD. Arantza Murillas-Maza, AZTI
Works as Principal Investigator since 2004 in the marine research division of AZTI, in the field of the marine socioeconomics working on research topics as the natural resources’ valuation, economic assessment of ecosystem services, fisheries management, maritime economy, blue growth and fisheries governance. Recently, she led an international consortium CABFISHMAN (INTERREG Atlantic Area) aiming to improve the protection of the marine environment and marine resources in the Northeast Atlantic area (2019-2023). Currently, she co-led the BIOcean5D WP Natural capital accounting, ecosystem services and marine protected areas.
Webinar 3: The ups and downs of delivering a sustainable blue economy ecosystem – the Orkney experience
Registration: Here
Date/time: Wednesday 31st July, 12.00 pm CEST, Online
Details:
This webinar will address the case study experience of Orkney seeking to explore and embrace the opportunities presented by the Blue Economy. Baseline of the Orcadian activities, how can local engagement be achieved, what are the problems and challenges, key recommendations for overcome them and what does success look like, are the main topics to be addressed.
About the trainers: Dr. Gareth Davies, Aquatera Ltd.
Dr Gareth Davies has worked as an environmental consultant for over 30 years. He trained initially as a marine biologist, obtaining his doctorate in deep sea biology. Since founding Aquatera Ltd in 2000, Dr Davies has been deeply involved in the development of the marine renewables industry in Scotland and internationally. He has since been involved in over 750 consultancy and research projects and has particularly extensive experience in environmental impact assessment (EIA), best practicable environmental option (BPEO) studies, stakeholder consultation, workshop organisation and training for the renewable energy, oil and gas and other industrial sectors.
Webinar 4: Co-creation for Transformational Adaptation to Water Scarcity under Deep Uncertainty
Registration: Here
Date/time: Wednesday 2nd October, 12.00 am CEST, Online
Details:
During this seminar we will explore how the co-creation of Transformational Adaptation Policies (TAP) can be achieved under uncertainty through science-policy collaborations. Co-creation is a comprehensive process that not only involves the co-design between scientists and stakeholders of TAP; but also the co-development of scenarios and modelling tools, co-evaluation of TAP performance, co-identification of TAP with the highest potential, and co-implementation of TAP on the ground. We will present two key instruments that can underpin a comprehensive co-creation process: 1) knowledge networks, purpose-driven partnerships for peer and mutual interaction, cross-disciplinary dialogues, communication, and cooperation across scientists and stakeholders that actively engage stakeholders in TAP co-creation; and 2) actionable modelling that enables stakeholders to characterize the cascading uncertainties across complex socio-ecological systems, and objectively design and assess performance of alternative TAP. We will review performance of these two instruments in conducting co-creation processes in practice with examples from Spain, Italy, Greece and Tunisia, among others.
About the trainer: C. Dionisio Pérez Blanco
Dionisio Pérez Blanco is Associate Professor at University of Salamanca in Spain, where he leads the Unit of Excellence ” ‘Economic Management for Sustainability”. He is an ERC Consolidator Grant (CoG) Fellow with the project WaterTheft, and Principal Investigator (PI) of the projects: TRANSCEND (Horizon Europe), TALANOA WATER (H2020), MARCLAIMED (Horizon Europe), NATURA (Plan Recuperación, Transformación y Resiliencia) and IRENE (Spanish R&D Plan).
He is also a successful awardee of the Marie Sklodowska-Curie, AXA Research Fund, Ikerbasque, Programme for the Attraction of Scientific Talent, and Fulbright Schuman fellowships.
Recently Dr. Pérez-Blanco was appointed as coordinator of Water Future’s Economic Instruments of Water Security Working Group, an international network of 25 renowned scientists co-developing the pioneering Global Water Assessment.
Webinar 5: Proxecto Rios & Co-creation examples from the Danube
Register: Here
Date: Wednesday 16th of October, 12.00 am CEST, Online
Details:
Part 1: Proxecto Rios: connecting rivers and people in Galicia: How coordination, commitment and enthusiasm can create ecological citizenship
This is an integrative project that has multiple objectives, highlighting environmental awareness and protection, community empowerment and learning by doing. Volunteers are key since there are the main actors and the ones receiving this immersive experience of environmental education. But we also collaborate with schools and associations. Activities developed in this project are financed by Aguas de Galicia, a body dependent on the regional government that is in charge of the Galicia Coast Hydrographic Demarcation.
About the trainer: Bibiana Lorenzo, ADEGA
Bibiana has a BSc in Biology and a MA in Education. She works as a teacher in a high school and has experience as environmental educator and environmental technician. With more than 10 years of experience as a volunteer in environmental protection associations such as SEO/BirdLife, ADEGA or GNHabitat, she is now a member of ADEGA’s environmental education team and she is deeply involved in the Proxecto Ríos, one of the more popular and compelling projects of environmental education in Galicia.
Part 2: From Puzzle to Purpose: Inspiring Community Engagement with the Danube through Co-creation and storytelling
Exploring methods for identifying and co-creating ways to bring aquatic ecosystems to the hearts and sight of as many citizens as possible.
About the trainer: Dr. Gabriela Costea, Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries
Dr. Gabriela Costea is a researcher at the Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB) in Berlin. With her previous professional experience as a museum curator, she has extensive expertise in terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity as well as in environmental education. Dr. Costea has additionally been working in several projects on the assessment of aquatic ecosystem services which also included activities on stakeholder involvement and awareness-raising related to the ecology and benefits of aquatic ecosystems, wetland conservation, as well as to the management of the Danube River.
Webinar 6: Engaging Stakeholders for Effective Advocacy and Governance of Highly Protected MPAs in the Mediterranean Sea
Register: Here
Date: Wednesday 30th of October, 12.00 am CEST, Online
Details:
Involving stakeholders in the project to advocate for Highly Protected Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the Mediterranean Sea is essential for ensuring the project’s success and sustainability. Stakeholder engagement enhances inclusive decision-making by incorporating diverse perspectives, knowledge, and expertise, which enrich the overall strategy and confer legitimacy to the project. It fosters a sense of ownership and commitment among local communities, policymakers, and environmental organizations, increasing compliance and support for conservation measures.
About the trainer: Patricia Puig, Oceanogami
Patricia is involved as a consultant in several initiatives for the establishment and effective management of Highly Protected Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the Mediterranean Sea.
You can access recordings from past webinars using the button below: