Baseline study for the implementation of lighthouses of the Mission 'Restore our ocean and waters by 2030' : Atlantic, Arctic, Danube and Mediterranean lighthouses

This baseline study for the Mission Restore our Ocean and Waters aims to provide a comprehensive basis for the development and piloting, and the future deployment and upscaling of three Mission lighthouses: the Atlantic and Arctic Sea basin, the Danube River basin, and the Mediterranean Sea basin. The preparation of the baseline entailed mapping the situation in the lighthouse areas in 2021-22 with respect to the Mission objectives, targets and activities. The study proposes a draft set of indicators for measuring Mission progress towards its targets in these specific lighthouses. Moreover, the study mapped major stakeholders and networks relevant for the implementation of the Mission objectives, including a comprehensive mapping of past, ongoing and future key EU and national projects. The study also produced an analysis of the Smart Specialisation Strategies (S3s) and other regional strategies in the lighthouses, mapped current governance structures and mechanisms and their alignment with Mission objectives and investigated activities to support citizen engagement and literacy in areas relevant to the Mission objectives. Finally, the study offers recommendations for future implementation of the Mission, presented in the form of a Strategic Note.