Header - Acronym and Title

icon priority
2 - Green and resilient shared environment
SO 2.2 - Protection of nature and biodiversity

MAPA

Marine Adriatic PArks

Information - Card

Information

Start date
01/02/2024
End date
31/07/2026
Total budget
1.402.920,00
Partnership
IT - 3
HR - 2
Project typology:
Standard project

Project specific objectives - Card

Project specific objectives

Strengthen the protection status of three existing Protected Areas as Marine Adriatic PArks (MAPA) in Croatia (Island of Silba) and in Italy (Parco del Conero and Foce Trigno) by:

  • Enhancing Protection – Upgrading protection status to safeguard marine biodiversity and ecosystems.
  • Empowering Communities – Engaging locals through capacity building and citizen science, making them ambassadors of marine conservation.
  • Supporting Livelihoods – Promoting sustainable, community-based practices that regenerate marine resources and preserve traditional ways of life.

Project main outputs - Card

Project main outputs

Jointly developed Solutions: Joint MAPA Platform to support the strengthening of MAPAs

Public events across borders jointly organised: Public event across borders jointly organized to promote MAPAs and relevance of effective MPAs

Participations in joint training schemes: Participations in joint schemes on capacity building for different target groups

Pilot actions developed jointly and implemented in project: Pilot action on strengthening keyplayers in a protected area

Strategies and action plans jointly developed: Joint Strategy and Action Plan on Strengthening MAPA

About section

About

The project aims to address the threat of over-exploitation of marine biodiversity in the Adriatic Sea by establishing Marine Adriatic Parks (MAPAs). Overfishing has led to the decline of commercial fish stocks, posing social, economic, and ecological challenges that require international cooperation. MAPAs will be established in three key areas to enhance protection and connectivity among marine protected areas (MPAs). These areas, part of the Natura 2000 network, will serve as models for sustainable marine resource management and biodiversity conservation. Through collaboration with local communities, the project will promote the coexistence of people and the sea, fostering appreciation for the marine environment and supporting sustainable economic development. Ultimately, the project aims to preserve marine biodiversity while ensuring the livelihoods of coastal communities.

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Lead partner

The Lead partner represents and takes full financial and legal responsibility for the entire partnership.

Zadar County Rural Development Agency - AGRRA

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News & Events

  • NEWS
    24/12/2025

    Call to participate in Training programme on Alternative Livelihoods and Pescatourism in MAPAs

    Empowering Local Fishers and Marine Resource Users in Croatia and Italy

  • NEWS
    22/12/2025

    Youth in focus for 7th Blue Café in Campobasso

    Students and Institutions Talk Marine Protection led by ARPA Molise and GAL Molise

  • NEWS
    01/12/2025

    6th Blue Café: Playing Our Way into Better MPA

    Youth Center in Zadar turned into a playful laboratory for marine governance in a jointly organized Blue Café by 20000 Leagues and all partners

  • NEWS
    24/11/2025

    Project collaboration: LIFE NatuReef and MAPA for protection of biogenic reefs

    Last call for Adriatic coast guardians! LIFE NatuReef's reef revolution is open to work on restoring oysters & sabellaria reefs.

  • EVENT
    20/11/2025
    Date:
    25 Nov 2025

    Join us on the MAPA Blue Café and let's play a Sea-rious game in Zadar