The purpose of this call for proposals is to support the preparation of the next 6-year cycle of MSFD implementation through the marine strategies. This concerns, in particular,
- the update of GES as well as the associated assessment of environmental status
- to analyse and tackle predominant pressures and impacts on marine waters
- to carry out economic and social analysis of the use of marine waters and costs of degradation of marine environment.
- to contribute to the setting up of environmental targets to be reported to the Comission by 2024.
The activities to be co-financed will therefore assist (sub)regional cooperation amongst Member States in the implementation of the MSFD. The proposals should be very practically oriented and focus on results and concrete objectives to be achieved. These objectives should clearly contribute to implement the MSFD. The aim is that the funded proposals could assist the Member State concerned in their efforts to implement (sub)regional cooperation needed to successfully implement the MSFD. The (funded) proposals should contribute directly to the efforts of the regional organisations, such as the Regional Sea Conventions (RSCs), as long as these are directly linked to MSFD implementation requirements. The proposals should support those (sub)regions where Member States have jointly identified certain shortcomings and are committed to address them together in a coherent manner.
The total budget earmarked for the co-financing of projects under this call for proposals is estimated at 4.700.000€. The Commission expects to fund approximately between 5 and 10 proposals.
Applicants should be non-profit organisations (private or public), public authorities (national, regional, local), international organisations, universities, educational institutions, research centres or profit making entities. In particular, applications involving public authorities competent for the implementation of the MSFD in the selected areas, are encouraged. The coordinators must be entities or bodies registered in an EU Member State, or international organisations.