Greek Pilot marketplace

GOAL
Consolidating seagrass restoration knowledge and integrating this to public and private governance frameworks

TARGET STAKEHOLDERS
MPA managers and restoration practitioners, decisions and policymakers, private business and corporations

LOCATION
Atzikiari Bay, Itanos, Municipality of Sitia, District of Lasithi, Northeastern Crete region

ENVIRONMENT
Seagrass meadows in the GR4320006 NATURA 2000 site

CHALLENGES ADDRESSED
Posidonia restoration in a bay affected by previous fish farm activities (now stopped), plastic pollution, climate change and introduced species.

ACTIONS DEVELOPED AND FORESEEN
– Mapping of the area using scuba diving, remotely operated vehicles, and drones.
– Assessment of the ecological quality status, associated biodiversity and blue carbon storage capacity of the meadows.
– Transplantation of Posidonia after removing degradation causes.
– Formulating recommendations for developing Payment for Ecosystem Services schemes adjusted to Greece’s reality.
– Design of a comprehensive and scientifically robust Posidonia restoration plan in the pilot that can be applied on a national scale.

ACTORS & STAKEHOLDERS INVOLVED
Project lead partner:
Plan Bleu, Arnaud Terisse, aterrisse@planbleu.org

Local partners and stakeholders:
Hellenic Center for Marine Research (HCMR), Eugenia Apotolaki eapost@hcmr.gr
The Green Tank, Dimitra Syrou, syrou.dimitra@thegreentank.gr
The Natural Environment and Climate Change Agency (NECCA)
Region of Crete

Capturing and Storing Atmospheric CO₂ for Improvement of Soil Quality.

GOAL
To promote shared stewardship for the protection of biodiversity, the sustainable use of coastal and marine resources, and the integrated management of coastal environments

TARGET STAKEHOLDERS
Local and regional public authorities and associations, sectoral regional agencies, economic sectors linked to coasts, citizens, interest groups and NGOs.

LOCATION
Patras coastal area, Patraikos Gulf, Achaea prefecture, Western Greece Region

ENVIRONMENT
Diverse ecosystems including Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows, coastal wetlands, shallow lagoons, and benthic-pelagic habitats characteristic of the Mediterranean.

CHALLENGES ADDRESSED
Pollution from urban, industrial and agricultural sources; habitat degradation and loss due to coastal development, economic activities expansion and destructive fishing practice; overfishing; climate change and invasive species.

ACTIONS DEVELOPED AND FORESEEN
– Facilitates collaboration between diverse stakeholders
– Implements targeted and on-the ground actions such as restoration and promotion of sustainable fishing techniques
– Advocates for stronger environmental policies
– Monitors and evaluates coastal health and effectiveness of conservation efforts.

ACTORS & STAKEHOLDERS INVOLVED
Lead partner:
Region of Western Greece: Panagiota Saranti (p.saranti@pde.org.gr), Maria Makri (m.makri@pde.gov.gr) and Ms. Konstantina (Nantia) Lantavou (k.lantavou@pde.gov.gr).

Other local partners and stakeholders:
University of Patras (associated partner)
Resident associations
Tourism-related businesses
NGOs

Fire Free MED.

GOAL
Drought risk management and EWS preventive digital technologies

TARGET STAKEHOLDERS
Policymakers, farmers, enterprises, foresters, urban gardeners, academia

LOCATION
Pyrgaki, Aegialia, Achaia, Region of Western Greece

ENVIRONMENT
Semi-mountainous vineyards

CHALLENGES ADDRESSED
Declining precipitation and persistent drought conditions affecting grape harvests; rural depopulation; insufficient local meteorological stations to support decision making.

ACTIONS DEVELOPED AND FORESEEN
– Installation of a high-quality weather station recording multiple air and soil parameters
– Real-time climatic data collection, sharing and processing for drought hazard prediction through a newly created digital platform tailored to pilot needs
– Preparation of a vulnerability assessment tool that supports decision makers processes based on drought vulnerability indicators.
– Building drought mitigation strategies and actions plans, mainly based on Nature-based Solutions (NbS)

ACTORS & STAKEHOLDERS INVOLVED
Lead partner:
University of Patras: Michael Samouris (samouris.mixalis@gmail.com), Panagiota Saranti (psaranti@g.upatras.gr) and Prof. Athanassios Argiriou (athanarg@upatras.gr)
2nd Greek partner:
Region of Western Greece

Other local partners and stakeholders:
Directorate of Civil Protection – Department of Civil Protection of the Regional Unit of Achaia
Aegialia wine producers’ cooperative
Oinoxenia Network

GOAL
Providing an actionable tool for effectively managing Mediterranean MPAs

TARGET STAKEHOLDERS
Marine Protected Areas management bodies, such as municipalities technical and governmental agencies, NGOs for the promotion and dissemination of the MED Green List tool

LOCATION
Greece

ENVIRONMENT
Greek Marine Protected Areas

CHALLENGES ADDRESSED
Halt the impoverishment of the Mediterranean’s marine life and make protection and conservation efforts of protected areas in the Mediterranean sea more effective.

ACTIONS DEVELOPED AND FORESEEN
– Review of existing national and international standards to assess MPA effectiveness
– Survey to gather inputs from MPA managers and experts on guidelines for applying the IUCN Green List to MPAs
– National Focus Group meetings on survey results with MPA managers, experts and stakeholders
– Action plan and pre-feasibility assessment for the testing of the Green List in new Greek (Mediterranean) MPAs.

ACTORS & STAKEHOLDERS INVOLVED
Lead Partner:
Zoological Station Anton Dohrn

Local partners and stakeholders:
University of the Aegean

GOAL
To develop an integrated and bottom-up governance model to manage flash floods and reduce their risks by combining actions of prevention, mitigation and adaptation.

TARGET STAKEHOLDERS
Civil protection and public water agencies, municipalities, schools and youth centers

LOCATION
Anthemountas river basin, Region of Central Macedonia

ENVIRONMENT
Anthemountas river catchment, which included the Macedonia Airport and villages and cities like Peraia and Agia Triada.

CHALLENGES ADDRESSED
Propensity of the area to flash floods, storm surge and coastal erosion.

ACTIONS DEVELOPED AND FORESEEN
– Flash floods awareness and risk perception evaluation methodology.
– Identification of flash flood response chain improvements needed and development of an integrated multistakeholder governance model.
– Co-design and implementation of education actions to raise social awareness on flash floods.
– Co-design of Nature-based Solutions to mitigate flash floods impacts.
– Development and implementation of a Flood Early Warning System using local real-time data.

ACTORS & STAKEHOLDERS INVOLVED
Lead partner:
BETA Tech Center: Meritxell Abril (meritxell.abril@uvic.cat) and Maria Soria (maria.soria.extremera@uvic.cat)

Local partners and stakeholders:
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki: Christos Makris (cmakris@civil.auth.gr) and Yannis Androulidakis (iandroul@civil.auth.gr)
Region of Central Macedonia
Municipalities of Delta and Thessaloniki
Secretariat of the Hellenic Hydrotechnical Union
Thessaloniki Water Supply & Sewerage Co. S.A. – EYATH S.A

GOAL
To define a methodology that improves the assessment of risks deriving from the Mediterranean Sea level variations.

TARGET STAKEHOLDERS
Safety service agencies, infrastructures and services managers, transport operators, protected areas managers, coastal ecosystem preservation associations, …

LOCATION
Municipality of Kalamaria, Thessaloniki, Region of Central Macedonia

ENVIRONMENT
Dense coastal city within Thessaloniki’s urban complex.

CHALLENGES ADDRESSED
Sea level rise and other climate change associated risks, air pollution, insufficient green space, deteriorating public infrastructure, and urban congestion

ACTIONS DEVELOPED AND FORESEEN
– Hazard mapping based on various sea level rise scenarios;
– Collection of local data and assessment of the vulnerability of human systems;
– Validation of a new methodology to assess risks and adaptation actions to sea level rise
– Benchmark production supporting the application of the methodology

ACTORS & STAKEHOLDERS INVOLVED
Lead partner:
ANATOLIKI S.A.

Other local actors and stakeholders:
Democritus University of Thrace

Enhancing Marine Protected Areas as Nature Based Solutions for adaptation to climate change: from local actions to Mediterranean basin strategy.

GOAL
To develop a Strategy for Sustainable Management of Mediterranean Forests targeted to dominant Mediterranean forest types & adapted to foreseeable climate scenarios

TARGET STAKEHOLDERS
National, regional and local authorities; higher education and training centers; private forest owners associations and NGOs; forest managers and young forestry professionals.

LOCATION
Samaria National Park, prefecture of Chania, Region of Western Crete

ENVIRONMENT
Mountain massif with deep gorges, vertical rocks, upland plains, dolines, and shores, mainly covered by phrygana shrublands and woodlands.

CHALLENGES ADDRESSED
Changes in land use practices, overexploitation of resources through overgrazing and tourism pressure, and climate change.

ACTIONS DEVELOPED AND FORESEEN
Promoting Multi-functional Olive Systems for Resilient Mediterranean Landscapes
Actions for the Restoration of Traditional Agroforestry Systems and Abandoned Olive Groves in Samaria Gorge

Phase 1: Site Preparation
   Action 1: Identification and mapping of priority areas
   Action 2: Installing eco-friendly fencing for plot protection
   Action 3: Soil quality assessment and IBP survey
Phase 2: Restoration & Agroforestry Implementation
   Action 4: Clearing invasive pine trees
   Action 5: Enhancing soil fertility – Introducing intercropping (native aromatic plants and nitrogen-fixing plants)
   Action 6: Rehabilitating olive trees (pruning, cleaning, organic fertilization)
   Action 7: Water management
Phase 3: Monitoring & Adaptive Management
   Action 8: Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for monitoring success
   Action 9: Assessing tree productivity and agroecological benefits
   Action 10: Adjusting management practices based on results
Phase 4: Raising awareness
   Action 11: Educational signage and visitor engagement

ACTORS & STAKEHOLDERS INVOLVED
Lead partner:
ETC-UMA: Dania Abdul Malak (daniaabdulmalak@uma.es)

Local actors and stakeholders:
Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania: Dany Ghosn (dghosn@maich.gr) and Ilektra Remoundou (hlektra@maich.gr)
Natural Environment and Climate Change Agency (NECCA) – Management Unit of Samaria National Park and the Protected Areas of Western Crete – Mr. Antonios Barnias (a.barnias@necca.gov.gr)
Forest Directorate of Chania – Mrs Polymnia Sklavaki (director)
Municipality of Sfakia – Mr. Vardis Gyparakis (vice mayor)

GOAL
To improve environmental quality in and around Mediterranean port areas, by mitigating and reducing sediment and water pollution.

TARGET STAKEHOLDERS
Public authorities and environmental agencies, port authorities, universities and research centres, local development agencies and commerce chambers, enterprises dealing with port activities and remediation techniques

LOCATION
Port of Piraeus, regional unit of Piraeus, Prefecture of Attica

ENVIRONMENT
Port within the Athens urban area

CHALLENGES ADDRESSED
Soil and water pollution within and around the port

ACTIONS DEVELOPED AND FORESEEN
– Creation of a Multi-stakeholder Supporting Ecosystems and action plan for the port environmental quality.
– Accurate characterisation and classification of soil and water pollution in the port area and testing of an environmental monitoring tool.
– Testing of novel pollution reduction technologies.
– Guidance for optimised planning for relocation, limitation and mitigation of contamination sources.

ACTORS & STAKEHOLDERS INVOLVED
Lead partner:
ASEV

Local partners and stakeholders:
Port authority of Piraeus

GOAL
To promote the implementation of Wetland Contracts, a collaborative governance tool for negotiating the reduction of anthropogenic pressures on wetlands.

TARGET STAKEHOLDERS
Protected wetlands managers, regions and municipalities involving wetlands, higher education and research organisations, environmental NGOs and other civil society organisations

LOCATION
Axios Delta, Thermaikos Gulf Protected Areas, Region of Central Macedonia

ENVIRONMENT
Axios Wetland complex, comprising 4 river estuaries (Gallikos, Axios, Loudias, Aliakmonas), salt marshes, rice paddies, diverse fauna and flora, islets, and a striped coastline.

CHALLENGES ADDRESSED
Land-use change (agricultural expansion, habitat degradation and loss, soil sealing…); overexploitation of resources (harvesting, logging, hunting and fishing); intensive farming and aquaculture; water, soil and sea pollution; eutrophication, harmful algal blooms, and red tides; climate-biodiversity crisis

ACTIONS DEVELOPED AND FORESEEN
– biodiversity monitoring scheme
– co-management to reduce anthropogenic pressures
– establishment of communication and interaction among public bodies, users, and organizations active in the area, addressing critical issues of the Axios Delta
– establishment of a wetland contract with a specific action plan and timeline
– exhibition on wetland collaborative governance

ACTORS & STAKEHOLDERS INVOLVED
Lead partner:
Anatoliki S.A.

Other Local partners and stakeholders:
Management Unit of Central Macedonia Protected Areas (NECCA): Lydia Alvanou

GOAL
To validate transferable solutions for carbon sequestration and flood mitigation, based on wetland conservation/restoration, in order to accelerate the capacities of involved policy makers and stakeholders to cope with these climate impacts, by improving take up of science based knowledge and governance mechanisms, and through assessments, guidance, capacity building and experience exchange.

TARGET STAKEHOLDERS
Regional and local authorities and services, Management Body of Protected Areas (NECCA), Forest services, farmers and buffalo grazers, tourist sector, Land Property service, researchers.

ENVIRONMENT
Artificial Lake Kerkini and some 80 smaller wetlands of Strymon catchment (National park, RAMSAR site, 13 Natura 2000 sites, 32 Wildilife Refugees); wintering and breeding area for rare bird species; the largest water buffalo population in Greece.

CHALLENGES ADDRESSED
Flood, drought and pollution risks; Lack of knowledge on carbon fluxes and sequestration in wetlands and on their capacity to mitigate flood impacts; Regulatory barriers and missing governance mechanisms in wetland protection as carbon sinks and as solutions in flood impact mitigation; overgrazing due to lack of wet pasture restoration around Kerkini lake; lack of wetland conservation and restoration measures as climate adaptation/mitigation solutions; lack of green infrastructure.

ACTIONS DEVELOPED AND FORESEEN
– In-situ measurements of greenhouse gases and carbon stock in Kerkini lake.
– Assessment of Kerkini lake and of Strymon catchment wetlands’ capacity to sequester carbon & to mitigate flood effects.
– Identify management practices that could improve wetland climate services, e.g. restoration of old river beds for flood mitigation & restoration of flooded areas around the lake for grazing as compatible agricultural use for carbon storage.
– Foster constructive dialogue among stakeholders by sharing knowledge, exchanging best practices, identifying governance barriers, and co-creating wetland-based solutions.
– Input to policy design and existing plans i.e Flood Risk Management Plan, Common Agricultural Strategic Plan, Climate Adaptation Plan.
– Demonstrate replicable wetland climate solutions that can inspire further conservation and restoration efforts.

ACTORS & STAKEHOLDERS INVOLVED
Greek partner:
Greek Biotope/Wetland Centre of the National Natural History Museum Goulandris: Eleni Fitoka & Anastasia Chatzimentor (helenf@ekby.gr & anastasia@ekby.gr)

Greek associated partners:
1) Special Managing Authority of the Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plan 2023-2027, Ministry of Rural Development and Food
2) Regional Unit of Serres, Central Macedonia
3) Municipality of Irakleia, Serres

Wetland4Change Lead partner:
University of Forestry, Faculty of Ecology and Landscape Architecture (Bulgaria): Stanimira Ivanova (ivanova.stanimiraa@gmail.com)

GOAL
To develop an innovative harmonized methodology to monitor cumulative impact of concurrent stressors in three critical habitats.

LOCATION
Amvrakikos Wetlands National Park, Arta, Region of Epiro

ENVIRONMENT
Seagrass meadows, wetlands and habitats hosting endangered species

CHALLENGES ADDRESSED
Ecosystem exposure to multiple concurrent anthropogenic stressors like legacy and emerging contaminants, marine litter including microplastics, noise, habitat destruction, and climate change

ACTIONS DEVELOPED AND FORESEEN
Monitoring the cumulative impact of multiple anthropogenic pressures and pollution source in degraded ecosystems
Cumulative Impact Assessment analysis to identify the key biodiversity components affected by local human activities
Collaborative design of innovative solutions for mitigation and restoration in the pilot area.

ACTORS & STAKEHOLDERS INVOLVED
Lead partner:
University of Siena

Local partners and stakeholders:
Hellenic Centre for Marine Research
Mediterranean Information Office for Environment
Culture and Sustainable Development
Ionian University
Amvrakikos Wetlands National Park