From this summer and for at least the next two years, Campus do Mar will assume the functions of National Node of the Assistance Mechanism of the European Commission’s Atlantic Maritime Strategy Action Plan, a strategy with which the European Commission aims to encourage Member States to work together in the different areas of the blue economy in which, previously, each state did so individually. “It is about sharing information, costs, results and best practices, as well as generating ideas for other areas of cooperation in maritime activities,” explains the director of Campus do Mar, Daniel Rey, who emphasizes that this plan includes both traditional activities such as fishing, aquaculture, tourism and maritime transport, as well as more emerging issues such as renewable energies and marine biotechnology.
This decision by the European Commission recognizes “the coordination capacity in the marine field of the Campus do Mar by becoming the national reference that advises on the funding available at the European Union, national and regional level for the projects executed in the context of the action plan and its monitoring”, emphasizes Rey, to which he adds that this will be implemented through the creation of networks and cooperation between interested parties, both at national and EU level. “It is an important step, in which the important support that the R&D office is providing us is fundamental”, acknowledges the current head of Campus do Mar.
New responsibilities, greater visibility
The Assistance Mechanism is a tool designed to support the implementation of the Action Plan, providing guidance and proactive support to public and private organizations, research institutions and universities, as well as institutional and private investors in the Atlantic region. To accomplish this task, this mechanism has a network of national nodes or National Hubs -one for each country in the Atlantic arc- that operate, in addition to Spain, in France, Ireland, Portugal and the United Kingdom, coordinated by a central office based in Brussels.
“The relationship with the other four national nodes is very fluid. Contact via email is weekly in order to coordinate activities and create relationships between participants from different countries”, explains Rey, adding that two meetings have already been held in Brussels, one for presentation to the Atlantic Steering Group, last July, and another for coordination and training this same month. “Likewise, the organization of a consultation workshop of the European Commission on Marine Renewable Energies held in Las Palmas on September 12, which we attended, as part of a process to review the action plan, has also been supported.”
Among the functions that Campus do Mar will assume from now on as a National Node is to raise awareness and inform about the action plan and maritime policy initiatives adopted by the Commission, the Member States and the regions, as well as to facilitate the creation of networks and cooperation between stakeholders. “In addition, it is also our job to carry out advisory work on financing and support resources available to project promoters, both at European Union, national and regional level”, emphasizes the director of Campus do Mar.
Roadmap for the next six months
As the national node of the Assistance Mechanism, Campus do Mar will also be responsible for contributing to the monitoring of progress made in the implementation of the action plan by identifying projects and good practices. On the other hand, it will be essential to organize and support the organization of seminars and conferences, as well as participate in events at the national level or the Atlantic region. In this sense, the director of Campus do Mar emphasizes that the roadmap for the next six months is currently being drawn up, a calendar in which the different activities that will be carried out will be specified.
Among the new tasks of Campus do Mar is also increasing the relationship with political representatives responsible for implementing the action plan at the national level.
Source: DUVI
