01-05 June 2026
MEDIGREEN at the 2nd MSP Week: advancing cooperation, knowledge sharing, and sustainable seas
The 2nd MSP Week, held in Brussels, brought together Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) practitioners, policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders from across Europe to exchange experiences, discuss emerging challenges, and strengthen cooperation across sea basins. Throughout the week, MEDIGREEN actively contributed to these discussions, highlighting the role of MSP in supporting sustainable blue economy sectors and the objectives of the European Green Deal.
Exchange and collaboration across European sea basins
A key moment of the week was the exchange event organised in collaboration with the NESBp project, which provided participants with an opportunity to compare approaches, share experiences, and jointly reflect on future directions for MSP implementation.
The first session explored the relationship between Ecosystem-Based Management for Mariparks and Ecosystem-Based Maritime Spatial Planning, highlighting how different governance approaches can respond to different territorial needs. Discussions emphasised that, in the Mediterranean context, multi-use solutions and marine parks must generate tangible benefits for stakeholders while ensuring the resources and governance structures required to fully implement the Ecosystem-Based Approach.
Participants then took part in a collaborative exercise on sea-basin level cooperation, refining alternative governance scenarios for regional seas and exploring pathways to strengthen cooperation across national boundaries.
The final session focused on the NESBp Inventory of Data, Information and Knowledge Products, introducing participants to the project’s Knowledge Sharing Platform. Through a series of interactive boards organised according to the Data–Information–Knowledge–Wisdom (DIKW) framework, attendees contributed ideas and feedback on future knowledge-sharing needs within the MSP community.
MEDIGREEN warmly thanks NESBp, the EU MSP Platform, and CINEA for making this valuable exchange possible. Detailed results from these discussions will be shared in the coming months.
Mediterranean Community of Practice showcases new studies
The week also hosted a meeting of the Mediterranean MSP Community of Practice (MED MSP CoP), attended by a large hybrid audience from across the Mediterranean and beyond.
During the event, the latest studies developed by the CoP Working Groups were presented, covering four strategic themes that are also central to the MEDIGREEN project:
- Aquaculture
- Fisheries
- Nature Protection
- Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE)
These studies provide valuable insights into current developments, challenges, and opportunities for strengthening Maritime Spatial Planning and supporting sustainable blue economy transitions across the Mediterranean.
All studies are available through the MED MSP CoP page on the MSP Platform and can be consulted by interested stakeholders.
The Community of Practice continues to play an important role in facilitating dialogue, peer learning, and collaboration among experts and institutions working on MSP in the region.
For more information about the Mediterranean Community of Practice and upcoming events, visit:
The next MED MSP CoP event will take place on 23 June, offering another opportunity for experts and stakeholders to share experiences and discuss the future of MSP in the Mediterranean.
MEDIGREEN: next steps
The week also provided an important opportunity for MEDIGREEN partners to engage directly with representatives of CINEA and DG MARE, ensuring alignment between the project’s activities and the evolving priorities of European maritime policy. Discussions helped identify common objectives, explore future synergies between MEDIGREEN and the Mediterranean MSP Community of Practice, and reflect on next steps for strengthening cooperation, knowledge exchange, and the integration of European Green Deal objectives into Maritime Spatial Planning processes across the Mediterranean.
MEDIGREEN at the exhibition area
Throughout the week, MEDIGREEN was also present with a dedicated stand alongside numerous EU-funded projects and initiatives working on marine governance, blue economy, and sustainable ocean management.
The exhibition area provided an excellent opportunity to present project activities and results, exchange experiences with fellow initiatives, and strengthen links with both longstanding collaborators and potential new partners. These informal interactions are often as valuable as the formal sessions, helping to build the networks and trust necessary for effective cooperation across sectors and sea basins.
For MEDIGREEN, the week reaffirmed the importance of continuous dialogue between science, policy, and practice, and demonstrated the value of collaborative platforms in advancing healthier, more resilient, and sustainably managed European seas.
As the project moves forward, MEDIGREEN looks forward to continuing these exchanges and contributing to a stronger Mediterranean community working towards shared ocean governance objectives.
