Ready to Make Waves? Pitch Your Idea at the WAVEMAKER: Marine Conservation Start-up Award
On 16 September 2026, five marine restoration start-ups and spin-offs will take the stage in Berlin to pitch their ventures to an expert jury and an audience of industry leaders, researchers and public authorities from across the blue economy, at the WAVEMAKER Marine Conservation Start-up Award. Will you be one of them? The award is […]
From Sea Planning to Shore Action: MPA-CN at European Maritime Day 2026
The conference took place from 21-22 May in Limassol’s historic old town at the Carob Mill, bringing together policymakers, researchers, businesses, public institutions, NGOs, and blue economy actors from across Europe. Through inspiring plenaries, hands-on workshops, interactive exhibitions, and lively networking moments, participants explored the future of maritime Europe, all united by a shared ambition […]
Marine Restoration, eDNA, VR Dives & Citizen Science: What to Experience at the European Maritime Forum 2026 Joint Exhibition
At the Carob Mill venue, a coalition of leading EU research and innovation projects will showcase a hands-on journey from ambitious strategy to on-the-ground impact. Visitors can step into a digital ecosystem that goes far beyond typical booth displays, offering exclusive access to the technologies, platforms, and community strategies actively protecting and restoring Europe’s seas. […]
MPA Community Network at European Ocean Days 2026: Strengthening Connections for Effective Marine Protection
A Week of Dialogue, Innovation, and Networking The overall impression from the European Ocean Days was one of momentum and collaboration. Key discussions focused on the development of the European Ocean Pact, the importance of empowering coastal communities, and the need to translate ambitious political targets into effective, on-the-ground action. For the MPA Community Network, […]
Our 1st publication is out!
We are excited to announce the release of the Guidelines for Applying a Business Approach to the Financial Management of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), a comprehensive, step-by-step guide aimed at enhancing the financial sustainability and operational effectiveness of MPAs worldwide. Why this matters: MPAs are vital for the conservation of marine biodiversity, but securing sustainable […]
6 of our members presented at the 5th EU Blue Parks Workshop
This workshop brought together experts, practitioners, and policymakers from Europe to explore how we can accelerate the protection and restoration of marine ecosystems. Among the participants, six projects from the MPA Community Network stood out, showcasing their work, sharing insights, and engaging in vital discussions about how to meet the EU’s ambitious goals for marine […]
We joined the Danish EU Presidency Mission Ocean Conference, with a stand and workshop moderation
The MPA Community team took part in the Mission Ocean & Waters EU Danish Presidency Conference on 23–24 September 2025 at Nyborg, Denmark, hosted by the University of Southern Denmark. Across two days, the conference gathered policymakers, researchers, students, local communities and practitioners to accelerate implementation of the EU Mission “Restore our Ocean and Waters” […]
Sea of Opportunities: Protecting and Restoring the Baltic Sea Together
Over three days, experts and stakeholders from across the Baltic Sea region came together to share insights, discuss challenges, and explore solutions for the effective protection and restoration of the Baltic Sea. The event featured diverse voices, including Sebastian Unger, Head of the Marine Division at the German Ministry of Environment, Rüdiger Strempel, Executive Secretary […]
BioProtect takes the MPA Card Game to the 2025 All-Atlantic Forum
As members of the MPA Community Network, the BioProtect team hosted a stand featuring the MPA Card Game, an interactive activity where participants step into the roles of different MPA stakeholders and work through real-world management challenges and trade-offs. The game has been widely praised for making complex marine governance issues accessible and engaging, and […]
Join MarinePlan for its Final Event: 29th-30th September, 2025
This will be a great opportunity for marine spatial planners, stakeholders, policy and decision makers, industry managers, experts in marine conservation and sustainability, and the scientific community to come together and learn about MarinePlan’s improved and innovative transdisciplinary approach to effective ecosystem-based maritime spatial planning and conservation in European seas. The first part of the […]