The project is carried out by a Consortium of eight partners from Bulgaria and Romania with the main objective to support the coherent, cross-sectoral Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) in Bulgaria and Romania under the framework of MSP Directive 2014/89/EU and to establish a long-lasting mechanism for the Black Sea Basin cross-border cooperation on MSP. The project is built upon the first MARSPLAN-BS project in which the key actors from the Black Sea region openly explored and discussed transboundary issues from a problem and solution-oriented perspective. This exercise was particularly successful for creating long-lasting mechanism for cross-border coordination and knowledge exchange; for establishing National Competent Authorities and Consultative bodies on MSP in both countries; for understanding of national and cross-border interests and approaches to MSP; for identifying knowledge gaps and needs for harmonisation of data collection and for boosting the development of shared transboundary planning. The follow up project MARSPLAN-BS П is devoted to bring together the Competent Authorities from the two neighbouring Member States, key experts and researchers with significant experience in the field of Maritime Spatial Planning, Land-Sea interactions and ecosystem-based approach. Thus, to combine their efforts in the development of national and cross border Maritime Spatial Planning process, the project will aim also to expand its geographical scope by involving more stakeholders and non-EU member states from the Black Sea Region. The project results are focused towards support the implementation of MSP Directive, capacity building, knowledge exchange, strengthening of cross-border cooperation in the Black Sea region and increasing relationships between public bodies, consultative bodies and researchers. Another added value to the project is the involvement, of advisers from other sea regions to discuss issues and find results during the Maritime Spatial Planning process.

Duration (in months): 24