EU

Output 7.4 will be implemented by UNEP’s Economy Division and will focus on piloting innovative projects in three of the key industries and value chains of the Blue Economy (fishery, shipping and/or tourism) in selected port cities in all project countries and hence promote and support the transition towards circular and blue economies in the Mediterranean region.

The selected projects will be implemented through developing and strengthening tools and methodologies to support Blue Economy initiatives at country level with, whenever possible, a special focus on activities linked to the countries’ national priorities as mentioned in their SCP-NAPs developed under SwitchMed I. Multi-stakeholder, nationally owned and driven processes will engage governments, municipalities, port authorities, private sector, consumers and civil society organizations in the implementation of the behavioral changes required to promote, support and strengthen Blue Economy.

UNEP’s Economy Division will build upon and complement the results and achievements of already existing in-country programs and projects on Blue Economy. A consultation process will take place with each country/port city to understand their needs and requests. Each process will be a response to officially expressed requests from the national governments and/or beneficiary stakeholders.

A special attention will be on work streams that directly involve and/or benefit private sector especially SMEs, consumers and civil society in their crucial role in advancing sustainable consumption and production practices in the Blue Economy. The activities and projects will focus on the implementation of concrete on the ground pilot projects tackling the barriers faced by key players responsible for the shift towards sustainable consumption and production patterns and the reinforcement of a circular and Blue Economy.

Output 7.4 will be implemented by UNEP’s Economy Division and will focus on piloting innovative projects in three of the key industries and value chains of the Blue Economy (fishery, shipping and/or tourism) in selected port cities in all project countries and hence promote and support the transition towards circular and blue economies in the Mediterranean region.

The selected projects will be implemented through developing and strengthening tools and methodologies to support Blue Economy initiatives at country level with, whenever possible, a special focus on activities linked to the countries’ national priorities as mentioned in their SCP-NAPs developed under SwitchMed I. Multi-stakeholder, nationally owned and driven processes will engage governments, municipalities, port authorities, private sector, consumers and civil society organizations in the implementation of the behavioral changes required to promote, support and strengthen Blue Economy.

UNEP’s Economy Division will build upon and complement the results and achievements of already existing in-country programs and projects on Blue Economy. A consultation process will take place with each country/port city to understand their needs and requests. Each process will be a response to officially expressed requests from the national governments and/or beneficiary stakeholders.

A special attention will be on work streams that directly involve and/or benefit private sector especially SMEs, consumers and civil society in their crucial role in advancing sustainable consumption and production practices in the Blue Economy. The activities and projects will focus on the implementation of concrete on the ground pilot projects tackling the barriers faced by key players responsible for the shift towards sustainable consumption and production patterns and the reinforcement of a circular and Blue Economy.

The final design and selection of the Blue Economy implementation projects will be guided by the following criteria:

(a) contributing to existing/ongoing national SCP/circular economy policy or planning processes that directly address regional, national or international Blue Economy commitments and priorities;

(b) be in-line with the implementation of the SCP-NAP;

(c) reinforcing the engagement of SMEs, governments and consumers;

(d) potential for creating blue jobs; and

(e) potential for replication and upscaling.

(a) contributing to existing/ongoing national SCP/circular economy policy or planning processes that directly address regional, national or international Blue Economy commitments and priorities;

(b) be in-line with the implementation of the SCP-NAP;

(c) reinforcing the engagement of SMEs, governments and consumers;

(d) potential for creating blue jobs; and

(e) potential for replication and upscaling.

The expected results under output 7.4 are the following:

– Blue Economy policy enabling activities based on SCP-NAP priorities through nationally owned multi-stakeholder processes;

– Patterns of consumption and production among producers and consumers changed to foster a Blue Economy;

– Innovations and solutions developed by and for the private sector with a special focus on SMEs to increase resource efficiency and adopt sustainable and innovative practices thereby strengthening their positioning in value chains and markets;

– Consumers have access to adequate information and products to allow them to switch towards more sustainable lifestyles and products;

– Enabling policies facilitating the shift towards SCP in the Blue Economy developed to fulfill SDG indicators, not limited to SDG 12 and SDG 14 but also others, depending on the national priorities;

– Documented successes and shared learning can help form the basis for resilient systems, persistent innovation and inclusive, sustained advances in achieving integrated ecological, economic and social wellbeing.

– Consumers will have access to specific Blue Economy information and policies promoting and facilitating access to sustainable products and encouraging sustainable lifestyles.

The expected results under output 7.4 are the following:

– Blue Economy policy enabling activities based on SCP-NAP priorities through nationally owned multi-stakeholder processes;

– Patterns of consumption and production among producers and consumers changed to foster a Blue Economy;

– Innovations and solutions developed by and for the private sector with a special focus on SMEs to increase resource efficiency and adopt sustainable and innovative practices thereby strengthening their positioning in value chains and markets;

– Consumers have access to adequate information and products to allow them to switch towards more sustainable lifestyles and products;

– Enabling policies facilitating the shift towards SCP in the Blue Economy developed to fulfill SDG indicators, not limited to SDG 12 and SDG 14 but also others, depending on the national priorities;

– Documented successes and shared learning can help form the basis for resilient systems, persistent innovation and inclusive, sustained advances in achieving integrated ecological, economic and social wellbeing.

– Consumers will have access to specific Blue Economy information and policies promoting and facilitating access to sustainable products and encouraging sustainable lifestyles.