Transnational Scientific Alliance for the Protection of the Seas through the MedJICARP Project
A new research project, led by the Oceanography Centre of the University of Cyprus, aspires to transform the way the Mediterranean monitors and responds to the impacts of climate change. With a total budget of €2,808,453 from the Interreg NEXT MED Programme and a duration of three years, MedJICARP brings together scientists and organisations from eight countries, united by a common goal: to strengthen the region’s resilience to the climate crisis.
The Mediterranean Sea in Crisis
The Mediterranean is warming at a rate higher than the global average. Rising temperatures, the spread of invasive species, increasing salinity, and the growing frequency of Mediterranean cyclones (Medicanes) pose direct threats to coastal communities facing floods and erosion, to the fishing sector that supports thousands of families, and to tourism — a key pillar of the region’s economies.
What MedJICARP Will Deliver
The project aims to fill major gaps in marine environmental monitoring, particularly in the Eastern Mediterranean, where current capacities are limited. By combining expertise, modern equipment and scientific collaboration, MedJICARP will:
- Establish a transnational marine monitoring network, collecting and processing real-time environmental data.
- Develop forecasting tools to improve understanding of key phenomena such as sea level rise and Mediterranean cyclones.
- Strengthen civil protection and preparedness, providing authorities with data for targeted adaptation measures.
- Support fisheries and marine enterprises with reliable information to help them adapt to changing conditions.
- Empower NGOs and civil society, offering access to open data, educational resources and collaborative platforms to promote adaptation policies.
- Enhance the training and networking of researchers and students, providing data and opportunities for collaboration to advance climate research in the region.
- Raise public awareness and engagement, helping citizens understand the impacts of climate change and participate actively in adaptation efforts.
An International Collaboration
The project brings together nine leading scientific organisations from eight countries:
- Oceanography Centre, University of Cyprus (Coordinator)
- Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute (CMMI) – Cyprus
- Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR) – Greece
- University of Malta – Malta
- University of Palermo – Italy
- Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA) – Italy
- National Council for Scientific Research – Lebanon
- National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries – Egypt
- National Institute of Marine Sciences and Technologies – Tunisia
Funded by the Interreg NEXT MED Programme, MedJICARP aims to become a reference point for regional cooperation among Mediterranean countries in tackling one of the greatest challenges of our time.
For more information:
Dr Monica Demetriou, Researcher, Oceanography Centre, University of Cyprus
E: demetriou.monica@ucy.ac.cy | https://oceanography.ucy.ac.cy
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/oceanographyCY
Source: University of Cyprus | Latest news (https://tinyurl.com/ydj3vby9)