MPA4Change Brijuni training builds skills and networks for climate-resilient Marine Protected Areas
The Mediterranean Sea is warming nearly three times faster than the global average, threatening marine ecosystems and the communities that depend on them. In response, the MPA4Change project is empowering Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to act as Nature-Based Solutions for climate change adaptation and mitigation. A key milestone in this effort was the MPA4Change Training on Climate Change Adaptation in Marine Protected Areas, held from 22 to 26 September at Brijuni National Park, Croatia.
Collaboration at the heart of the training
The Brijuni training brought together 18 participants from Croatia, Slovenia, Cyprus, Türkiye, Italy, Spain, Tunisia, and Morocco, representing a broad spectrum of expertise and institutions. Participants included MPA managers, marine scientists, conservation practitioners, policy advisors, and researchers from public institutions, universities, research centers, and NGOs.
This diversity created a rich network of knowledge and experience, allowing participants to exchange insights, discuss challenges, and share best practices across borders. The training emphasized collaboration not only among participants but also between institutions, fostering a Mediterranean-wide community capable of supporting each other in implementing effective, science-based MPA management.
Hands-on learning and field experience
Field trip in Brijuni National Park, Croatia. Photo by Andrea Blaskovic, BNP.
Over five intensive days, participants applied three core MPA4Change toolkits through classroom sessions, group exercises, and a field trip in Brijuni National Park. The field trip highlighted the beauty of the park and an MPA that had implemented the MPA4Change tools, providing a tangible example of how these tools can enhance conservation, climate adaptation, and management effectiveness.
Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment (CVA) – 23-24 September 2025
This training provided participants with the knowledge and skills to apply the CVA Tool in MPAs. By the end, participants were able to:
- Assess the socio-ecological resilience of MPAs to climate change threats.
- Collect and organize socio-ecological data for exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity indicators.
- Use templates and the online CVA tool to calculate vulnerability scores and interpret results.
- Apply confidence levels and weighting to improve robustness.
- Interpret results to inform decision-making in developing a Climate Change Adaptation Plan.
Participatory Approaches – 25 September 2025
This session focused on practical skills to engage stakeholders in MPA management and adaptation planning. Participants learned to:
- Identify key stakeholder groups and their roles.
- Build trust and foster dialogue among local users, fishers, divers, administrators, and policymakers.
- Design participatory processes such as citizen science, co-management initiatives, and capacity-building activities.
- Integrate stakeholder perspectives into adaptation plans and ecosystem-based management strategies.
Adaptation and Mitigation Plans – 25 September 2025
This training equipped participants with tools to design and implement Climate Change Adaptation Plans in MPAs while integrating mitigation measures. By the end, participants could:
- Understand the purpose and essential elements of an adaptation plan.
- Follow key steps: scoping, vulnerability assessment, identifying and prioritizing actions, implementation, and monitoring.
- Develop site-specific adaptation and mitigation measures suitable for local ecological and social contexts.
- Integrate adaptation actions into existing MPA management frameworks.
- Apply criteria to prioritize actions based on feasibility, impact, and urgency.
- Plan for implementation, identifying resources, timelines, and stakeholder roles.
- Set indicators to monitor progress and communicate results for continued co-management support.
Field exercises allowed participants to calculate a vulnerability assessment index for a Marine Protected Area, reinforcing the practical application of the toolkits and connecting classroom learning with real-world management.
Building a Mediterranean network of climate-resilient MPAs
Brijuni National Park, Croatia. Photo by Andrea Blaskovic, BNP.
The Brijuni training highlighted that effective MPA management depends not only on technical knowledge but also on strong networks of people and institutions. Participants left with enhanced skills, practical tools, and connections across the Mediterranean, creating a community of practice equipped to support each other in enhancing the climate resilience of MPAs.
