EVENTS: From project results to concrete macro-regional action

The 11th Mediterranean Coast and Macro-Regional Strategies Week 2026 concluded in Izola, Slovenia, bringing together stakeholders from across Europe to exchange experiences, strengthen partnerships and explore practical solutions to shared challenges.

Representing IMTM and the BlueQ project, Milena Ljutica took part in the event alongside Ana Filipović from the Chamber of Economy of Montenegro, an Associated Partner of the BlueQ project.

As part of the TSG3 Environment Pillar and IPA ADRION Matchmaking Event, the IMTM representative joined Mission Table 1 – Marine and Coastal Environment, focusing on EUSAIR Pillar 3 – Environmental Quality, Action 3.1.3: Enhancing Coastal and Marine Biodiversity.

The Mission Table brought together representatives of CRADLES, BLUEQ, PREBIODUNES and SAMSEA within Cluster 6 – Biodiversity and Natural Marine Habitat Conservation.

The discussion followed a practical, project-driven approach, structured around several key areas:

• Project outcomes, synergies and gaps – identifying the most relevant results, tools, methodologies, pilot actions, data and networks developed through the projects, as well as the gaps that may prevent their wider uptake.
• Alignment with EUSAIR Pillar 3 and potential contributions – exploring how existing project results and identified synergies can contribute to the implementation of EUSAIR priorities and activities, and which results are mature enough to be transferred, replicated or scaled up at the Adriatic-Ionian level.
• The role of EUSAIR – discussing how the macro-regional strategy can help connect projects with policymakers and institutions, support the harmonisation and transfer of solutions, facilitate access to future funding opportunities, and bring complementary initiatives together.
• Follow-up actions – moving from discussion towards identifying concrete priorities, potential partnerships and Concept Card ideas that could build on existing project results and contribute to future macro-regional cooperation.

For BlueQ, the Mission Table provided an important opportunity to position the project’s knowledge and results within the wider EUSAIR framework, while also learning from complementary initiatives working on marine biodiversity and natural habitat conservation.

The key value of this process lies in connecting what projects have already achieved with what can be done next through stronger partnerships, wider uptake of solutions and concrete follow-up actions at the macro-regional level.