Seas and Coasts for healthy and prosperous societies:
Blue Economy, Biodiversity, Climate Change

The seas and coasts are fundamental to the health and prosperity of societies worldwide, also in Slovenia and the Northern Adriatic region. They serve as critical ecosystems that provide multiple benefits to people – from sustaining fisheries and mariculture, and supporting recreation and tourism, to regulating climate and protecting coastlines. Preserving or improving their status is essential to ensuring the sustainability of these vital resources and spaces, which are increasingly threatened by the consequences of human pressures. Effective management measures and conservation strategies are necessary to protect these marine environments, promote resilience against ongoing environmental challenges, and foster thriving opportunities for coastal communities and the entire country and region.

A sustainable blue economy offers a powerful framework to address these challenges by leveraging research and innovation, enabling the responsible use of marine resources while conserving biodiversity and fostering climate resilience. Central to this vision is the recognition that challenges are interconnected and shared: biodiversity protection strengthens ecosystem services, which in turn support climate adaptation, enable economic activity, and foster socio-economic well-being. Likewise, research and innovation can drive the development of new technologies and social practices that enhance sustainability, ultimately leading to more effective resource management and improved livelihoods for those who depend on marine ecosystems or seek to conserve them.

In implementing solutions and positive changes, all sectors must and can work together: from researchers, entrepreneurs, and local communities to policymakers. European research funding can play a crucial role in providing the necessary resources for collaboration.