The Mediterranean Sea is considered one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots as it is home to diverse unique and endangered species. Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are crucial for preserving the Mediterranean's marine ecosystems and safeguarding the livelihoods and well-being of the communities that depend on them. Although the number of MPAs in the Mediterranean has been increasing, effectively managing these areas to achieve sustainable results has proven challenging.

GreenList4MMPAs (Green List for Mediterranean Marine Protected Areas) is a project, funded by the Interreg Euro-MED programme, which aims to promote effective and equitable management of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the Mediterranean Region. Bringing together six partners from five different countries, the project will explore how the IUCN Green List can be used to help Mediterranean MPAs achieve their environmental and socioeconomic objectives by helping them assess their effectiveness.

The Green List is a program of certification for Protected and Conserved Areas that are effectively managed and fairly governed. Over 27 months, with a total budget of €600,000, the GreenList4MMPAs project will identify how the Green List Standard can be applied to assess, improve and maintain the performance of Mediterranean MPAs. It aims to become an effective, locally relevant and globally recognized tool for promoting regional efficiency, equity and success of MPAs.

Project goals:

1. Exploring how to apply the IUCN Green List to the Mediterranean MPAs
The GreenList4MMPAs project will support this process by assessing how the set of IUCN Green List indicators can be applied to Mediterranean MPAs. This exercise will be informed by a review of existing national and international standards used to assess MPA effectiveness and in collaboration with MPA managers across the Mediterranean.

2. Establishing a Mediterranean MPA Expert Assessment Group for the Green List (EAGL)
The GreenList4MMPAs project will support the creation and organization of an EAGL focused on Mediterranean MPAs (Med MPA EAGL).

• Zoological Station Anton Dohrn – Italy
• IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation – Spain
• University of the Aegean – Research Unit – Greece
• IUCN French Committee – France
• Côte Bleue Marine Park - France

Donor: Interreg Euro-MED

Duration: 1.1.2024 - 31.3.2026

Total budget: €600,000

For more information, visit the GL4MMPAs website!