2nd Welcome Event for Associated Regions

On May 16th, 2024, the A-AAGORA project hosted its Second Welcome Event for Associated Regions, held online to ensure broad participation. This significant event began with a presentation by Ana Lillebø, the project coordinator, who highlighted the main mission and objectives of the A-AAGORA project. Ana also reviewed what has been accomplished so far, emphasizing the project’s progress and achievements.

During her presentation, Ana Lillebø elaborated on the living lab concept and the quintuple helix approach, underscoring the necessity of involving all stakeholders from academia, industry, civil society, government, and the natural environment. This inclusive approach is crucial for achieving the project’s goals and ensuring sustainable coastal restoration.

Project Coordinator Presentation – Project Timeline

Following the introductory presentation, each A-AAGORA Demonstrator (DEMO) shared their work and field activities. These presentations provided the new Associated Regions with insights into potential activities for future replication and scaling up. The DEMOs showcased practical examples of the living lab approach in action, highlighting opportunities for collaboration and innovation.

A special highlight of the event was the participation of Claudia Pecoraro from the European Commission. Claudia’s presentation focused on the importance of the Mission Ocean and the pivotal role that Associated Regions play in the mission’s implementation plan and objectives. She emphasized how these regions will help replicate and scale up the work developed by the A-AAGORA project. Claudia also introduced the Mission Ocean lighthouses and discussed open opportunities and calls for Associated Regions, providing valuable insights and guidance.

Mission Implementation Portal presented by Claudia Pecoraro

The event concluded with the introduction of two new Associated Regions: the Municipality of Llanes, Spain 🇪🇸, representing the Atlantic Basin, and the Region of South Aegean, Greece 🇬🇷, representing the Mediterranean Basin. Both regions had the opportunity to present their work and explore common activities and synergies with the consortium.

With the addition of these two new Associated Regions, A-AAGORA now includes a total of five Associated Regions, enhancing the project’s collaborative network and impact:

Split, Dalmatia County, Croatia 🇭🇷 (Mediterranean Basin)
Orle Municipality, Croatia 🇭🇷 (Danube Basin)
Department of Fisheries and Marine Research (DFMR), Cyprus 🇨🇾 (Mediterranean)
South Aegean Region, Greece 🇬🇷 (Mediterranean)
Municipality of Llanes, Spain 🇪🇸 (Atlantic)

This event marked a significant milestone in the A-AAGORA project, fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing, and a collective commitment to coastal restoration and conservation.

🌍 Stay tuned for more updates as we continue our journey towards safeguarding our coastal ecosystems and don´t miss our special call for Associated Regions ! 🌊