Capacity Building
MPA4Change will support the creation of Action Plans in MPAs in order to ensure its long-term sustainability and resilience to climate change. Among its areas of work, building capacities of Marine Protected Area managers in order to achieve a more effective management is one of the cornerstones of the project. The capacity building programme of MPA4Changes counts with two main components: a set of toolkits to guide MPAs on climate change adaptation and on-site training provided by a group of experts with previous experience in applying this toolkits.
Toolkits
The first component focuses on transferring consolidated toolkits on different focus areas that have been produced in previous Interreg Euro-MED projects and have been tested in different protected areas of the Mediterranean basin. These toolkits are been fine-tuned during the first stage of MPA4Change project and, soon, they will be available in this website and in other capacity building platforms. Meanwhile, you can find a short description of the toolkit main contents below.
Harmonized monitoring
Standardised Monitoring Protocols for assessing climate change effects and impacts in MPAs across the Mediterranean and beyond. The toolkit is complemented by learning materials and tools to assist the whole process, from the data collection and analysis to the interpretation of data and final assessment of climate change impacts, including management advice. These tools and associated indicators are fully in line with the Barcelona Convention Ecosystem Approach and EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD; Directive 2008/56/EC).
Vulnerability Assessment
Guidance and tools, tested in seven pilot sites in the Mediterranean, to assess the MPAs´ ecological and socio-economic vulnerability to climate change (or the predisposition to be adversely affected by climate change impacts, defining how severe the effects can be in a given system). The assessment methodology is based on the calculation of a multidimensional socio-ecological index that combines the vulnerability scores of habitats, species and users of the MPA, providing scores per species, habitat and user groups, as well as a total vulnerability score and two scenarios according to CO2 emission scenarios and for 2 timeframes.
Citizen Science
Protocols on how to engage local communities in citizen science activities to monitor the climate change effects and impacts in MPAs, providing them with the right tools, skills and methodologies to do it. Citizen science allows comprehensive data collection, providing citizens the opportunity to acquire a deeper understanding of the impacts of climate change to marine ecosystems and creates a space to link citizen science with adaptive management. Three of the eleven protocols for Harmonized monitoring are selected to be deployed in the citizen science activities.
Adaptation and mitigation to climate change
Guidance, tested in seven pilot sites in the Mediterranean, with actions to elaborate climate change adaptation and mitigation plans.
Participation
Guidance on how to apply the Quintuple Helix Participatory Approach, tested in seven pilot sites, for engaging and mobilizing all the key actors (Socio-economic Actors, MPA Managers, Scientists, Public Authorities and Citizens). Participatory engagement of local communities is a context-driven process, where the full understanding of the political, cultural and institutional context at local, national, regional and global level is needed. However, it is perhaps the most important component to ensure increased support and long-term sustainability and can successfully lead to effective decision-making for climate change adaptation in Mediterranean MPAs.
Communication
A compendium of resources to support the design and implementation of climate change adaptation, mitigation and restoration plans in MPAs (cartoon, 60sec videos, webinars,…)
Restoration
Despite been quite underused in the Mediterranean region, and in spite of both the CBD and the EU Green deal having specific dedicated targets for it, restoration is considered as a good complement to conservation measures. This toolkit, currently under development, will collate guidance an examples of restoration activities that will support Marine Protected Areas in the he process of actively assisting the recovery of an ecosystem that has been degraded, damaged, or destroyed.
Additionally, you can download the Toolkits Summary produced during the previous projects, which provides an overview of the main components and protocols for climate change adaptation that we deliver through MPA4Change.
On-site training
The second component of the capacity building consists in specific on-site training for MPAs adhered to the project, both as Partners or Associated Partners. For this end, MPA4Change counts with a group of experts, or MPA managers with previous experience in integrating climate change adaptation strategies into their management plans. These experts have been involved in the development of the Toolkits and its implementation in previous Interreg Euro-MED initiatives.
