First replication and transfer event in the heart of the Mediterranean organized by Triton Research. Two days of training and dialogue between institutions and stakeholders.
On 7–8 May 2025, the first international replication and transfer event of the LIFE A-MAR NATURA2000 project was held in Malta, at the Waterfront Hotel, aimed at strengthening the marine ecological network through the exchange of best practices among Mediterranean countries. The initiative involved active participation from Maltese public institutions, local stakeholders and representatives of the project’s European partnership.
The event, hosted in collaboration with the Maltese ERA – Environment and Resources Authority, included a rich agenda of presentations, workshops, and participatory activities. Key speakers included Diego Mattioli, Project Manager of LIFE A-MAR NATURA2000, who opened the event by presenting the project’s goals and objectives; Victor Gutierrez, from Fundación Biodiversidad, who explained the connection with the LIFE INTEMARES project as part of LIFE A-MAR’s networking activities; Federica Barbera, who presented the LIFE DELFI and LIFE SEA NET projects, along with their respective apps (Marine Ranger and Life Sea.NET) as concrete examples of citizen science supporting marine conservation; Corrado Teofili, from Federparchi, who addressed participatory engagement strategies and governance in Natura 2000 areas; and Marta Curmi, from ERA’s Water Team, who illustrated the Maltese experience in managing marine protected areas.
On the first day, participants explored innovative digital tools for citizen engagement and analyzed case studies related to sailing campaigns used as effective environmental awareness tools. In the afternoon, a session on capacity building strategies for Natura 2000 marine area managers and a discussion on best practices provided tangible ideas for adapting operational models to the local context.
The second day focused on the state of marine protected areas (MPAs) in Malta. ERA’s presentation offered a detailed overview of the national planning and management process. This was followed by round tables and participatory sessions led by TRITON and Fundación Biodiversidad, dedicated to communication strategies to promote MPAs and raise awareness among local communities, as well as collaboration with local stakeholders to strengthen governance and the effectiveness of conservation measures.
In addition to the project partners, many Maltese entities and organizations actively took part in the training, including: ARM – Aquatic Research Malta (which conducts research, monitoring, and scientific consultancy on aquatic resources); Ambjent Malta (a Maltese agency specializing in protection, management, and enhancement of natural and landscape heritage); ERA – Environment and Resources Authority (responsible for the regulation, protection and management of natural resources and biodiversity, both terrestrial and marine); MEEC – Ministry for the Environment, Energy and Public Cleanliness and PKF Malta (an international firm specialized in audit & assurance, tax services and consultancy).
This first replication event in Malta represents a crucial milestone for the LIFE A-MAR NATURA2000 project. In addition to promoting transnational exchange of experiences, it laid the groundwork for closer cooperation between Italy, Spain and Malta in managing marine protected areas. Through concrete actions, active participation and innovative tools, the project aims to make the Natura 2000 network a living, shared reality, capable of combining biodiversity conservation with the enhancement of the Mediterranean’s natural capital.
