On November 28 and 29, 2024, Málaga hosted the 2nd Annual Institutional Dialogue for Mediterranean Nature, a key event that brought together public and private actors to address the challenges of ecological restoration in the Mediterranean region. This dialogue, driven by the Natural Heritage Mission,included the participation of representatives from the Interreg Euro-MED project, which began in early 2024 and whose general objective is to accelerate the restoration of seagrass meadows in the Mediterranean through innovative ecosystem-service based solutions.
The event highlighted the importance of cross-border cooperation and the practical implementation of the European Union’s Nature Restoration Law, in effect since August 2024.
A High-Level Context for Mediterranean Restoration
The Nature Restoration Law establishes measures to improve the ecological status of European ecosystems, aiming for 90% effective restoration by 2050. This regulation builds on previous frameworks, such as the Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive, and promotes national restoration plans integrated with EU policies.
The key approach is passive restoration, prioritizing protection over damage repair, and promoting ecological connectivity among Mediterranean countries.
During the event, the need for collaborative governance was emphasized, involving all stakeholders, from public bodies to private actors. It was highlighted that cross-border collaboration and knowledge transfer are essential to expand restoration initiatives and address common challenges, such as marine conservation and sustainable fisheries management.
Adoption of the Restoration Agenda in the Mediterranean
Participants in this discussion panel analyzed the importance of cities in restoration, the need to align local agendas with European policies, and the effectiveness of tools such as Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs). They also emphasized the participation of civil society and effective communication to raise awareness about ecosystem services.
From Policy to Action
The second discussion panel focused on addressing the challenge "From policy to action"exploring mechanisms to turn restoration policies into concrete actions. In this context, David Álvarez, Executive Director of Ecoacsa, shared preliminary results of the report on market-based instruments for the conservation and restoration of seagrass meadows, developed within the framework of ARTEMIS.
In his speech, he also raised crucial challenges, such as the need to redirect financial flows towards ecological restoration through innovative mechanisms like green bonds. He also highlighted the importance of adapting investment schemes to local contexts and harmonizing markets, noting that not all regimes work the same way in different environments.
Arnaud Terrise, Biodiversity Program Officer at Plan Bleu, also participated in the discussion, emphasizing the need to link biodiversity improvement with tangible benefits for society. The two representatives of the ARTEMIS consortium agreed that the key to success lies in international collaboration and the creation of legal and financial frameworks that drive the restoration of marine ecosystems.
The project Interreg Euro-MED project has a budget of nearly €3 million, 10 partners, and a duration of 33 months (from January 2024 to June 2026). 80% (€2.3 million) of the funding comes from Interreg funds, Interreg, while the remaining 20% comes from Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP) Barcelona Convention.
