ERINN INNOVATION LIMITED

Mission Ocean, seas and water aims at restoring the health of our ocean and waters by 2030, as a major contributor to the European Green Deal and the Sustainable Development Goals. Research and innovation will be a key component of the Mission, which will link initiatives across disciplines, mobilise policymakers, stakeholders and citizens, and leverage public and private investments. PREP4BLUE overarching objective is to facilitate a successful first phase (2022-2025) of the Mission, by developing the co-creation and co-implementation R&I modalities required to achieve the Mission objectives and preparing the ground for inspiring and engaging citizens and stakeholders. The project is designed to deliver a series of tools, guidelines, methodologies and recommendations tested through pilots, which will interlink, leverage and optimise activities among the projects funded under the Mission. Our systemic approach will foster cohesion and connectivity between knowledge and technology, funding, regulation, education and skills, social structures and co-creation with R&I actors, citizens and stakeholders. PREP4BLUE multidisciplinary and multi-actor consortium is actively engaged in basin-based strategies and related R&I activities, with strong experience in co-developing business models and recommendations for policy-makers, expertise in social sciences related to participative democracy and citizen engagement and excellent track-record in methodologies for knowledge management and transfer, as well as in stakeholder engagement. PREP4BLUE will also carry out strategic actions to assure the alignment of our CSA with the evolution of the Mission components, including the Mission Core Network, other contributors to the Mission and other Missions. Our project will contribute to preparedness and engagement of all relevant stakeholders to empower them to play an active role in the Mission.

EC contribution:

EUR 409k

Start:

2022-06-01

End:

2025-05-31

Status:

SIGNED

Scheme:

HORIZON-CSA

Call:

HORIZON-MISS-2021-OCEAN-01

View on CORDIS (DOI 10.3030/101056957)

Biodiversity is declining across terrestrial, marine, and freshwater ecosystems. Current monitoring is fragmented, with gaps, inconsistent methods, and limited interoperability, constraining evidence-based conservation. Meeting EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030, Nature Restoration Regulation, and Kunming-Montréal Framework targets requires coordinated, standardized monitoring for policy-relevant indicators. With NextBON, we advance through a scalable, tiered blueprint integrating genomic, remote sensing, and data science methods. Our consortium unites 22 institutions from 16 countries for pan-European implementation. Tier 1 employs EU-wide satellite imagery to track ecosystem and land cover trends. Tier 2 enables national and habitat-specific assessments monitoring priority species and communities. Tier 3 conducts intensive local field studies with IoT sensors, eDNA/genomics, and in-situ methods to collect fine-scale biodiversity and process data. We harmonize Essential Biodiversity Variables, adopt standardized protocols, and apply FAIR principles for interoperability, letting Member States adapt monitoring intensity while ensuring compatibility. Using genomics, remote sensing, AI, and citizen science, we expand taxonomic coverage to detect cryptic and deep-sea species missed by traditional monitoring. This advanced sampling bridges scientific observation and policy. We deliver consistent, comparable data for EU-wide and global analyses, supporting science and policy. We work with key infrastructures (LifeWatch ERIC, EMBRC, eLTER) and the EC Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity to make data accessible and useful in policy, including IPBES assessments. By shifting from reactive counting to predictive ecosystem assessment and early warning, we establish enduring capacity for adaptive biodiversity management and conservation.

EC contribution:

EUR 345k

Start:

2026-10-01

End:

2030-09-30

Status:

SIGNED

Scheme:

HORIZON-RIA

Call:

HORIZON-CL6-2025-01

View on CORDIS (DOI 10.3030/101287608)

The GuardIAS project is an ambitious initiative aimed at transforming aquatic environment governance and management in Europe. Its primary goal is to align with the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and the IAS Regulation, focusing on mitigating the impacts of invasive alien species (IAS) on biodiversity, ecosystem services, and human health. GuardIAS plans to utilize advanced science, technology, and artificial intelligence to develop innovative tools and methodologies. These tools will be instrumental in preventing, detecting, eradicating, and managing IAS. The project is set to advance through interdisciplinary collaboration, integrating data from various sources to create comprehensive IAS impact profiles and management strategies. A significant aspect of GuardIAS is stakeholder engagement and societal involvement. This will be achieved through Citizen Science initiatives and innovative engagement strategies (such as serious games and BioArtBlitz events), aiming to involve the wider community in addressing IAS challenges. GuardIAS will also establish robust solutions for IAS management at multiple governance levels, from local to international. The project will include the development of beyond-the-state-of-the-art technologies and methodologies, such as nano-coatings for marine vessels to prevent IAS spread and eDNA approaches for efficient detection. Additionally, GuardIAS will conduct macroecological and biogeographic analyses to assess IAS risks under various future scenarios, including climate change. The project's comprehensive approach, encompassing science, technology, and community engagement, positions it as a key player in the EU's efforts to preserve biodiversity and protect ecosystems from the growing threat of invasive species. GuardIAS is not only a response to current environmental challenges but also a proactive step towards sustainable management and conservation of aquatic environments in Europe.

EC contribution:

EUR 97k

Start:

2025-01-01

End:

2027-12-31

Status:

SIGNED

Scheme:

HORIZON-IA

Call:

HORIZON-CL6-2024-BIODIV-01

View on CORDIS (DOI 10.3030/101181413)