Strong local presence, empowering communities and building local capacity
Addressing community needs
Access to financial resources
Showcasing key results through a simplified and interactive storytelling tool
Storytelling tool about the Western Mediterranean: tab about the pilot project.
MSPglobal, IOC-UNESCO
Storytelling tool about the Western Mediterranean: tab about activities and pressures.
MSPglobal, IOC-UNESCO
Storytelling tool about the Western Mediterranean: tab about activities and pressures.
MSPglobal, IOC-UNESCO
Storytelling tool about the Western Mediterranean: tab about synergies and conflicts.
MSPglobal, IOC-UNESCO
Storytelling tool about the Western Mediterranean: tab about future scenarios.
MSPglobal, IOC-UNESCO
This Building Block aimed to develop a multilingual storytelling tool to showcase both existing conditions and scenarios for the pilot in the Western Mediterranean. The objective was to present the data and information in a simplified and interactive way, and as such to turn complex concepts into notions easily understood by all stakeholders.
Professionals with previous experience in developing an online storytelling tool with spatial data visualization
Technical reports with the necessary data and information published in advance
Teamwork: Those involved in the development of the reports need to work in close collaboration with those responsible for developing the tool to ensure that the key results are properly selected and displayed
Structure: Organize the story through different themes, titles, taglines and sections
Be concise: Limit the size of the texts to the key messages. If the user is interested in learning more, reports with the full information should be available
Technical terms: Whenever possible, avoid using difficult and/or technical language (including acronyms) that might be incomprehensible for a wider audience. If it cannot be avoided, better to add the meaning
Responsive web tool: Depending on the type and format of the content, it might be difficult to ensure that the tool is sufficiently responsive across different internet browsers, resolutions and electronic devices
Beta version: It is recommended to develop a beta version (pre-release) and then ask some users to play with it before the launch
Building scenarios for MSP and sustainable blue economy
Trend scenario of different activities already in place in the Western Mediterranean.
MSPglobal, IOC-UNESCO
Example of MSP scenario (conservationist) developed for the Western Mediterranean, with a focus on the western part and Strait of Gibraltar.
MSPglobal, IOC-UNESCO
This Building Block aimed to analyze potential future conditions of the Western Mediterranean in order to build three scenarios by 2030: trend scenario; conservationist scenario; and integrated scenario. The developed scenarios DO NOT represent official proposals for the area; instead, they are a starting point for a multi-sectoral and cross-border dialogue about the desired future. A technical report was developed and made publicly available.
Existing regional publications on maritime sectors trends
Existing regional policies about MSP or blue economy covering at least some of the beneficiary countries
Potential areas of development: Identify them based on literature to the extent possible, while using “real-life logic” when it does not exist.
Transparency: Justify the goals and assumptions of each scenario, as well as how they were developed. If they are not official proposals, make it clear whenever presenting the scenarios in order to avoid any issue, such as a governmental stakeholder upset because it was not involved in the process
How to use: Develop some guidelines with suggestions on how to use and adapt the scenarios during dialogue and negotiation with stakeholders at national and regional levels
Analyzing current conditions of the marine environment and maritime uses
Marine conservation and protection measures in the Western Mediterranean.
MSPglobal, IOC-UNESCO
Example of sectoral spatial data relevant for MSP and sustainable blue economy: location of aquaculture farms (Source: EMODnet, adapted by IOC-UNESCO from national sources).
MSPglobal, IOC-UNESCO
Example of sectoral statistical data relevant for MSP and sustainable blue economy: annual aquaculture production in 2018 (Source: adapted from FAO, 2020).
MSPglobal, IOC-UNESCO
Cumulative uses of main sectors identified in the Western Mediterranean.
MSPglobal, IOC-UNESCO
This Building Block aimed to analyze the current conditions of the Western Mediterranean. Policies, data and information on the marine environmental and main maritime uses were analyzed to identify use-use and use-nature conflicts and compatibilities, resulting in the development of a technical report publicly available. Spatial data was compiled to develop the maps about the different uses.
Access to public data sources, especially European and international ones
Data from previous projects developed in the region
At least one member of the team with expertise in spatial data available during the whole initiative in case additional analysis is necessary
Data providers: If the data is not publicly available, care should be appointed when choosing the right contact person (committed and with interest in the project) to request it
Lack of data: Some institutions might not be willing to share data, so it is important to be transparent and acknowledge data gaps
Presentation of the theoretical modules of the training course in Spain.
MSPglobal, IOC-UNESCO
Presentation of the theoretical modules of the training course in Morocco.
MSPglobal, IOC-UNESCO
Practical exercise about developing a fictitious MSP vision and objectives during the training course for French and Algerian experts.
MSPglobal, IOC-UNESCO
Practical exercise about developing a fictitious MSP vision and objectives during the training course in Spain.
MSPglobal, IOC-UNESCO
Practical exercise about developing fictitious MSP plans coherent across borders during the training course in Italy.
MSPglobal, IOC-UNESCO
Practical exercise about developing fictitious MSP plans coherent across borders during the training course in Morocco.
MSPglobal, IOC-UNESCO
One of the tokens of the MSP Challenge Game to identify the zones of the fictitious plans related to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda.
MSPglobal, IOC-UNESCO
Online seminars to target sectoral stakeholders from the Western Mediterranean.
MSPglobal, IOC-UNESCO
This BB aimed to develop activities to improve stakeholders’ capacities on MSP and sustainable blue economy by helping them understand the big picture of the MSP process, as well as the role that they can play in such policy.
I) Training course for governmental representatives included both theoretical and practical sessions. The theoretical ones covered topics such as the concepts of MSP and sustainable blue economy, stakeholder participation and data and information. Moreover, the competent authorities had the opportunity to discuss national initiatives on MSP. Putting theory into practice, participants were divided into groups to play the MSP Challenge Game, representing planners and stakeholders. They defined the vision, objectives, indicators, actions and stakeholders of fictitious countries to simulate an MSP process. After, they developed sectoral plans and used the tokens available to negotiate space and develop an integrated plan coherent with the national objectives. They also had to link aspects of the plan with the achievement of the 17 SDGs.
II) Seminars for sectoral stakeholders
Thematic seminars were organized to highlight the need for MSP in the Western Mediterranean: international cooperation, multi-use of the ocean space, and spatial dimension of aquaculture and port infrastructures.
Training material and course in the language of the stakeholders (whenever possible)
Practical exercises to stimulate the learning process
Content: Beyond learning about concepts, participants are interested in real-life examples
Gender balance: It is important to request that the list of participants invited to the training courses is gender-balanced
Participation: Ensure that the National Focal Point responsible for co-organizing the activities is communicating with partner institutions to guarantee their involvement
Planning, reporting and monitoring stakeholder participation and communication
Homepage of the MSPglobal website.
MSPglobal, IOC-UNESCO
News section of the MSPglobal website.
MSPglobal, IOC-UNESCO
This BB aimed to structure the tasks related to stakeholder engagement and communication through the development of:
I) A Strategy for Public Participation based on:
Three pillars: identification of stakeholders; engagement activities; and monitoring and evaluation of participation
A two-way participatory approach: balance between top-down and bottom-up
II) A Communication and Dissemination Plan to set a unified tone and direction so that all activities, tools and materials work in harmony to create a shared vision to raise awareness of the initiative and its results. It also included monitoring of a number of metrics – through various channels and means – to evaluate the overall impact and success of communication and dissemination actions.
Standalone communication and dissemination plans, as well as engagement plans and reports were developed to guide and evaluate each activity implemented. The key messages from these reports were used as web news in order to communicate and report back to the stakeholders.
In the Western Mediterranean pilot, the following engagement activities were implemented:
Institutional workshops at national and regional levels
Training courses for governmental authorities and sectoral stakeholders
Partnership with other ongoing initiatives in the region
Development of a multilingual website, social media accounts and products as the beneficiary countries do not use the same language
Nomination of a governmental representative (National Focal Point) to support the identification of stakeholders and to officially invite them to participate
Development of a Stakeholder Database to include all stakeholders who so wished, facilitating the contact and dissemination of information
Development of a visual identity
A member of the team fully dedicated to communication
Stakeholder Database: When dealing with hundreds of stakeholders, better to build a database with limited number of essential fields to maintain communication
Engagement activities: Start organizing and publicizing well in advance, as well as send reminders frequently (for both face-to-face and online events)
Communications and outreach: Adapt communication to the stakeholders involved; use different channels to reach larger audience; mix digital, audiovisual and print products
