Specific Challenge:
Objectives
The objective of this call for proposals is to support the establishment and implementation of Maritime Spatial Plans in line with the objectives pursued in the framework of the MSP Directive. More specifically, this action intends to support Member States in setting up maritime spatial plans and ensuring that plans are coherent and coordinated across marine regions concerned. The deadline for Member States to adopt their Maritime Spatial Plans is 31 March 2021.
In this context, applicants are required to address the following priorities in their proposals:
Themes & priorities
Proposals are expected to develop innovative responses to tackle specific challenges that EU Members States might encounter when preparing, establishing or revising their maritime spatial plans.
These challenges should be common to the Member States participating in the project. The shared interest in developing innovative responses can apply within a sea basin and/or across sea basins. This means that a proposal could bring together participants from different Member States, located in different sea basins.
Hereunder is a non-exhaustive list of examples of such challenges/issues:
The above list is purely illustrative and applicants might identify other challenges that are specific to them, or to the sea basin(s) where they are located.
Applicants should identify one(or maximum two), challenge(s) and build their proposal around the response(s) to such challenge(s).
At least one project per topic is expected to be funded.
Priority will be given to proposals that build on the outcome of prior MSP related projects, relevant to the objectives of the call. In this context, proposals should describe how they build on, complement and differ from finalised or ongoing research and innovation projects, including from EU programmes, where relevant. In case a proposal includes activities a particular sea basin in which a dedicated sea basin strategy or similar initiative exists[2], priority will be given to proposals that explain how they contribute to the objectives of the relevant sea basin strategy or initiative.
Scope:
Activities that can be funded
Applicants should explain in their proposal how they will implement the targeted activities below described, resulting in concrete and measurable results within the project's duration.
Projects must undertake one or more of the following main activities as part of the project implementation:
In addition, applicants should include in their project the following complementary activities/tasks to support the above core activities:
Applicants are strongly encouraged to assign dedicated staff to the development and implementation of the proposed communication and dissemination activities. This should be appropriately reflected in the proposed budget.
The list of complementary activities is non-exhaustive. Applicants may propose additional activities, as long as the proposed complementary activity is justified and establishes a coherent link with the project objectives and the objectives of this call.
Networking with other EU projects
During the lifetime of the projects financed under this action, a number of events (no more than once per year) may be organised at EU level for the grant beneficiaries to facilitate the exchange of experience and good practices across sea basins, to foster mutual learning and to enhance the European dimension of Maritime Spatial Planning. Project beneficiaries are expected to participate in these events, which will be held in Brussels or other relevant locations.
Expected Impact:
Expected results
Applicants have to list the main results[3] expected from the project. The expected results to be achieved by the end of the project must be concrete, realistic and time bound and quantifiable as far as possible.
In particular, proposals are expected to:
In addition, the proposals should identify specific expected results in relation to the proposed responses to the selected challenge(s). Based on the examples of challenges mentioned in the section "Themes and priorities" hereunder is reported a table illustrating what expected results could correspond to the individual challenges.
Example of challenge
Example of expected result
Climate proofing of MSP
Adaptive conservation strategies to cater for spatial changes in ecosystems (e.g. migration of species)
MSP as an enabler of the EU's "Green Deal"
Integration in the maritime spatial plans of a network of marine protected areas, even in a cross-border context, to ensure the protection and conservation of the biodiversity.
Development of an economic sector (e.g. tourism, offshore wind energy, aquaculture) in the maritime domain
Specific spatial plan, within the overall maritime spatial plan, to develop a specific industry (e.g. offshore wind energy). This specific plan could include provisions to allow for the long term development of the sector, in particular as regards allocation of space and/or provisions for co-uses, coexistence with other sectors.
Applying the Ecosystems Based Approach (EBA) in MSP
Establishment of an adaptive strategy to manage specific pressures (e.g. eutrophication, underwater noise) on the overall marine environment or on specific eco-systems.
Addressing gaps and challenges in the collection and use of data in the MSP context
Preparation of a data-model for the national maritime spatial plan that could be shared in a sea-basin or even EU context in a common electronic platform.
Promoting ocean governance through MSP
Establishment of a framework where maritime spatial planning is subject to continuous evaluation and monitoring and where clear mechanism for revisions of the plan are integrated.
The list of expected results above is non-exhaustive and applicants may add other expected results if relevant. Applicants are free to include in their proposals other challenges (maximum two), with the corresponding results, which they deem appropriate for their specific situation.
Monitoring and evaluation of the project activities and project results
Beneficiaries will have to monitor and evaluate the progress of the project, notably in terms of realising the project objectives and reporting on the results of their project.
Applicants should select and explain which quantitative and qualitative indicators they will use for monitoring and evaluation:
Proposals have to include a specific activity/task to monitor and measure the project activities and the project results with a defined budget. Information on monitoring and assessing project results has to be submitted at the time of the periodic reports.
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