Our strategic lines

The IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation is implementing the IUCN Programme 2021-2024 through 6 strategic working lines and key topics of interest, with a special regional focus on North Africa. 

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Nature-based Solutions and Climate change

Nature-based Solutions implemented in the Mediterranean through restoration and improving the conservation of ecosystems can help communities to address the climate and biodiversity crisis and societal needs.

Current projects: MedConecta | IMPETUS I CircHive MedAlliance wetlandsLIFE AdaptaMED  I  LIFE Blue Natura |


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Marine Biodiversity and Blue Economy

Developing and spreading a governance framework in the Mediterranean basin to better manage deep-sea ecosystems, coastal areas, and also lowering fisheries impact on threatened species and vulnerable ecosystems.

Current projects: Blue4allMonk Seal Conservation I RESCOM |Medbycatch 2 I REST-COAST | Blue Tourism Covid | MED Programme LybiaPOSBEMED2 | Mediterranean Islands Collective


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Ecosystem Resilience and Spatial Planning

IUCN aims to safeguard and enhance ecosystem multi-functionality by promoting biodiversity conservation, integrating climate intelligence into spatial planning and influencing decision making.

NATOUR4CCHANGEGreenList4MMPAs | Achieving 30x30 | Dialogue4natureMEET NETWORK I DestiMED Plus | MedArtSal I MEDCONECTA


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Nature Conservation and Food Systems

IUCN-Med is working towards promoting and maintaining agricultural practices that preserve native biodiversity and ecosystem services. The goal is to aim human intervention to contribute to the conservation of natural resources.

Current projects: Knowledge & Monitoring of Biodiversity Cultural Practices | SOILGUARD | AMNC | MedArtSal


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Biodiversity Knowledge and Action

Protecting Biodiversity standards with tools such as the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA's) while preventing the unintentional introduction of Invasive Alien Species and mitigating their negative impacts.  

Current projects: KBA for North AfricaLIFE Invasaqua 


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Regional Focus: North Africa

Since 2009, a specific IUCN Programme has been regularly developed and implemented every four years, with IUCN members and partners in the region. The regional focus refers to the IUCN North Africa programme goals.

Current projects: PPI-OSCAN 3 | Med Programme Libya |


Topics of Interest

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There are other urgent topics that the IUCN Med has focused on over the years. Two topics of special concern are the Invasive Alien Species in the region and the amount of plastic affecting wildlife, ecosystems, and humans.   

Current Projects Plastic Waste Free Islands Med Project LIFE Invasqua I The MEDMIS initiative | F2PA BeMed: Closing the Plastic Tap Plastic Free Islands in the Mediterranean 


Monachus monachus (Mediterranean monk seal)

Emergent topics refer to time-sensitive issues that require immediate attention. Two emergent topics that IUCN is focusing on is the Mediterranean Noble Pen Shell Crisis (Pinna nobilis) and the endangered Monk Seals in the Mediterranean.
 

Emergent Topics: Monk Seal Conservation I Mediterranean Noble Pen Shell Crisis 

 

 


Since 2001, IUCN-Med is applying a unique approach which bridges between science, policy, management, and action to conserve nature and accelerate the transition to sustainable development.

"Our Approach" was created in order to maintain its value proposition among national and international organisations supporting the advancement of nature and people while establishing areas of Special Focus that highlight the programmes and activities in the region. 

IUCN-Med addresses the goals in its approach by focusing on different sectors of special focus that are broken down between topics and a regional focus.

Agriculture, fisheries and tourism in the Mediterranean specifically depend on the sustainable use of natural resources. IUCN-Med’s work focuses on mainstreaming biodiversity conservation into agricultural and fishing practices, as well as into tourism planning.

 

IUCN-Med is looking for PARTNERSHIPS to build alliances, fund and implement projects regarding:

  1. Coastal Area Climate Change Resilience through Nature-based Solutions
  2. Enhancing biodiversity in agricultural landscapes
  3. Building the Mediterranean Ecological Network
  4. Assessing tourism impacts on ecosystem services in coastal areas 
  5. Capacity Building Initiative for conservation
  6. Reduce the impact of plastic pollution in the Mediterranean islands
  7. Reducing the impact of fisheries on vulnerable  species and ecosystems
  8. Supporting conservation  actions through young environmental organisations in North Africa
  9. Mitigating Invasive Alien Species impacts in the Mediterranean region
  10. Mainstreaming critical freshwater biodiversity data into Mediterranean river basins management
  11. Developing Conservation plans for imperiled marine (sharks, rays, corals), and terrestrial (raptors) species