FP7 Cooperation

Energy

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Funding opportunities in the Energy Theme specifying the participation of Mediterranean Partner Country research teams.

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Projects covered by the following calls:

-          FP7-Ocean-2011

-          Indicative Budget: EUR 45 000 000

-          Date of publication: July 20^th, 2010.

-          Call deadline:

                  January18th, 2011 (17:00hrs Brussels local time)

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For further information, full details and text of the call, please consult the full Energy 2011 Work Programme at:

http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/dc/index.cfm?fuseaction=UserSite.CooperationDetailsCallPage&call_id=343

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Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that this document is accurate, the MIRA (Mediterranean, Innovation and Research Coordination Action) project cannot be held responsible for errors that may be found in it.

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OCEAN.2011-3: Assessing and predicting the combined effects of natural and human-made pressures in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea in view of their better governance

Call: FP7-OCEAN-2011

The capacity of the Mediterranean and the Black Sea to provide goods and services to their surrounding populations may be compromised in the near future if anthropogenic and natural pressures are not considered in connection with the natural sensitivities and capacities of the marine environment in an integrated, ecosystem-based way. An integrated approach for governance in the Mediterranean and in the Black Sea basins is therefore needed.

The overall objectives of the project are to promote sustainable well-coordinated research

efforts in order to characterise patterns of pressure in environmental and socio-economic

terms on the Mediterranean and the Black Sea and to develop a framework for future implementation of adaptive policies and management schemes, while fostering international cooperation with neighbouring countries.

Firstly, the project will develop expert systems in order to address the objectives of the topic, making the best use of the available observational and monitoring capability currently deployed in both basins. In particular it should take advantage of and be built on systems such as the ones currently deployed through the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) and the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) initiatives. The project should also take into consideration the European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODNET) and the Data Collection Framework (DCF) in fisheries. Where needed, the project should fill short term data gaps and propose options to fill gaps on a continuous basis in the long term. This will include making more compatible the role of existing and future research vessel (i.e. a new multipurpose mobile platform for environmental data collection) with the current effort to monitoring systematically the environmental status of the Mediterranean and the Black Sea conditions through an integrated observing system.

Secondly, the project shall build an integrated knowledge-base for understanding the patterns of anthropogenic and natural pressures in the Mediterranean and in the Black Sea. In particular, it should develop the science-base needed to understand how the natural land-ocean processes that are characteristic of semi-enclosed basins (peculiar role of air-sea fluxes and fresh water fluxes, specific water mass ventilation rates, hydraulic control of flows across straits) and the anthropogenic processes (effects of large cities, coastal development, pollution, recreational activities, fishing and aquaculture activities) interact in these two basins.

Thirdly, the project shall provide a scientific rationale for a basin-wide promotion of the

principles and objectives put forward in the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) in close collaboration with the neighbouring countries in order to achieve Good Environmental Status (GES). It should be built upon existing models, in particular those developed under GMES, improve prediction and management of key anthropogenic and natural processes and their impacts in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.

The project shall cover both Mediterranean and Black Sea basins and foster international

cooperation. It will aim to build scientific capacity in the countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea to strengthen European efforts to address the environmental challenges faced in the two semi-enclosed seas, jointly with neighbouring

countries.  Finally, the project will develop a small research and survey vessel concept to be used for coastal areas, estuaries, as well as port areas, navigation channels. The innovative research content concerns a small vessel with low draft that can operate with very precise innovative dynamic positioning, novel propulsion in shallow waters and normal sea states. As well a being suitable for a wide range of research related users, the vessels will address the needs to survey, accurately and efficiently shallow water navigation channels, an important navigation safety issue for shipping, particularly in areas with shifting sands.

Funding scheme: Collaborative Project (large scale integrating project) for specific

cooperation actions (SICA) dedicated to international cooperation partner countries.

Additional eligibility criteria:

- The requested European Union contribution shall not exceed EUR 13 000 000.

- SICA - Minimum number of participants: 3 from different Member States or Associated

countries and 4 from different ICPC, among which at least 2 from the Mediterranean Partner Countries and at least 2 from the ICPC countries of the EU Black Sea Synergy.

Additional information:

A maximum of one project may be funded. The project must equally address both the

Mediterranean and the Black sea basins. It may include one sub-project for the Mediterranean and one for the Black Sea; but with a strong interlink between the two (e.g. for modelling) and a common approach for the development of the small research and survey vessel.  The project should be in line with the requirements of the Inspire directive and data sharing principles of the GEOSS initiative.

The multi-disciplinary approach of the research undertaken is essential to address the topic. It will be considered during the evaluation of the criterion related to "S/T quality".

The multi-sectoral composition of the partnership and the participation of industrial partners and relevant end-users, in particular SMEs, are essential for the implementation of the project.

It will be considered during the evaluation of the criterion related to "Implementation".

Expected impacts:

- Reinforcing the scientific knowledge base, including in the regions out of the EU where this knowledge base remains poor, in order to understand and manage the impact of global changes on the Mediterranean and the Black Sea marine ecosystems and thereby contribute to their sustainable development;

- Clarifying challenges related to the definition and implementation of basin wide Good

Environmental Status in accordance with the MSFD;

- Contributing to building science-based basin scale management strategies and

informing policy makers at national, EU, regional and International levels. Evaluating

the various options for sustaining these tools on the long term;

- The project should be in line with EU and international policies such as: MSFD,

GMES, GEOSS, Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), Integrated Maritime Policy and the

regional sea conventions;

- Enable advanced marine transport technology to accurately and efficiently locate in

normal seas a vessel that can research and survey in shallow waters;

- Reinforcing international cooperation and interactions between scientists throughout

the two geographic areas and spreading knowledge to decision makers.

OCEAN.2011-4: Knowledge-base and tools for regional networks of MPAs, integrated management of activities together with assessment of wind energy potential in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea

Call: FP7-OCEAN-2011

Due to the specific nature of the Mediterranean and Black Sea and the rapid expansion of seabased activities, there is a need to create new knowledge to support the development of decision maker's tools for optimizing the management of human activities, within an

integrated coastal and marine space system.

The objective of the project is to build up scientific basis firstly for establishing regional or sub-regional wide networks of marine protected areas (MPAs) for conservation and better management of marine living resources, secondly for assessing offshore wind energy potential while evaluating possible synergies and conflicts of use with other marine activities.

Research on MPAs will concern the establishment of scientific guidelines, criteria, models and tools for the design, mapping, management, monitoring and control of regional or subregional networks of MPAs including deep-sea habitats and areas beyond national jurisdictions. These networks of MPAs should respond to clearly established objectives, from protecting biodiversity (strict reserves) to achieving a sustainable exploitation of aquatic living resources by preserving nursery grounds and juveniles (restricted areas).

The focus will be on the identification of priority areas in both basins through a hierarchical approach based on ecological and socio-economic criteria in underrepresented or poorly studied areas and ecosystems (e.g. the high seas and the deep seas). Sizing, spacing and ecological connectivity and interdependency between sites will be studied for optimal maintenance of species populations and biodiversity (spill over effect), considering possible genetic exchange, larval behaviour patterns and larval dispersal and making the best use of molecular science and multidisciplinary approaches between marine genomics and ecosystem science. Habitat discontinuity and fragmentation, physical oceanography should also be considered. The development of management strategies for implementing the regional networks such as regulation measures to limit and ban certain practices, dynamic closures, legal issues for managing trans-boundary areas and high seas MPAs are key elements of the project. The project should also promote innovative communication strategies between scientists, managers, fishermen, shippers, NGOs, potential users and public at large.

Research on wind energy will provide a scientific basis for assessing off-shore wind potential in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, focusing on areas already identified as promising with respect to wind regimes. The project should assess the potential for offshore wind power production based on the use of existing models. It will also evaluate potential conflicts with other uses of the space (MPAs, maritime transport, on shore large desalination plants, dredging, fishing, aquaculture, sub-sea cables, pipelines, tourism, etc). The project should deliver scientific guidelines for an enriched "wind atlas" for decision-makers and planners.

Moreover the project shall launch two pilot studies, at least one in the Mediterranean and one in the Black Sea, addressing the establishment of regional networks of MPAs, also combining if possible wind energy development, and considering all the possible conflicts from other maritime activities. The pilot studies should address selected areas within regions or subregions of the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea as defined in the Marine Strategy Framework Directive¹. The project should reinforce capacity building in support to international cooperation by transferring and making compatible methods across the two basins and by promoting common rules and practices in particular with non EU countries from Balkans, Southern Mediterranean and Eastern Europe bordering the two seas.

Funding scheme: Collaborative Project (large scale integrating project) for specific

cooperation actions (SICA) dedicated to international cooperation partner countries.

Additional eligibility criteria:

- The requested European Union contribution shall not exceed EUR 9 000 000.

- SICA - Minimum number of participants: 3 from different Member States or Associated

countries and 4 from different ICPC, among which at least 2 from the Mediterranean Partner

Countries and at least 2 from the ICPC countries of the EU Black Sea Synergy36.

Additional information:

A maximum of one project may be funded.

The multi-disciplinary approach of the research undertaken is essential to address the topic. It will be considered during the evaluation of the criterion related to "S/T quality".

The multi-sectoral composition of the partnership and the participation of industrial partners and relevant end-users, in particular SMEs, are essential for the implementation of the project.

It will be considered during the evaluation of the criterion related to "Implementation".

Expected impacts:

- Improved methods and tools for developing holistic planning and integrated

management approaches and practices for the implementation of regional or subregional

networks of Marine Protected Areas and the assessment of offshore wind energy potential in the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea,

- Reinforcing international cooperation and interactions between scientists and marine

space users throughout the two geographic areas and spreading knowledge to decision

makers,

Demonstrating the feasibility and possible synergy between regional networks of

MPAs and offshore wind sites through the launching of two pilot studies, at least one

in the Mediterranean and one in the Black Sea, with the participation of the industry,

- Supporting maritime spatial planning and the development of an Integrated Maritime

Policy in the Mediterranean and Black Sea basins,

- Contributing to fulfil international/regional conventions and agreements e.g.

Convention on Biological Diversity, UN World Summit on Sustainable Development

Plan of Implementation, as well as EU regulations and policies regarding the

implementation of regional or sub-regional networks of MPAs.

¹ The 4 sub-regions of the Mediterranean Sea are (i) the Western Mediterranean Sea; (ii) the

Adriatic Sea; (iii) the Ionian Sea and the Central Mediterranean Sea; (iv) the Aegean-

Levantine Sea.