EFFECTIVE Meeting in Cyprus, January 2025
On January 15th and 16th, 2025, leading scientists, researchers, and stakeholders gathered in Larnaca, Cyprus, for the latest meeting of the EFFECTIVE Consortium. This international collaboration is dedicated to advancing environmental data management, coastal sustainability, and innovative technological solutions to address ecological challenges in marine environments.
As a member of the Consortium, SPOTTERON contributes to the project through its Citizen Science Platform and Open Science features - specifically with the COSEA App. This App enables everyone to participate in marine observations, covering marine species, pollution, infrastructure, tourism, habitats, and more.
What happened during the two-day event in Cyprus?
The event featured in-depth discussions, interactive sessions, and field activities that brought theory into practice.
Day 1: Advancing Knowledge and Collaboration
The meeting started with a Welcome and Meeting Overview, setting the stage for productive discussions. The first major session, the Project Overview and Updates WP, provided insights into the consortium's latest research findings and ongoing projects. Following a brief networking break, the Dissemination and Communication session addressed strategies for effectively sharing research outcomes with a broader audience.
The discussion then transitioned to EBMS (Ecosystem-Based Management System), presented by CSIC, highlighting advancements in managing and protecting marine and coastal ecosystems. The afternoon focused on Data Storage (Maris ft CTN), B2B-DATA (DHI), and Business in Nature (SV). These sessions examined the role of big data, business integration in environmental efforts, and sustainable approaches to economic growth while preserving biodiversity.
Day 2: Hands-On Exploration and Innovation
The second day emphasized real-world applications, beginning with a visit to the Cavo Greco Environmental Center. Participants explored the center's exhibits and watched an informative documentary on local conservation efforts. One of the key highlights was a coastal activity session, where attendees engaged in a tour, a photography session, and the demonstration of COSEA, a newly developed mobile Citizen Science App designed to support sustainable coastal management. Led by Agnes from SPOTTERON, this session showcased the power of digital tools in environmental science.
Back at the Larnaka Community Centre, the discussions shifted towards Transplantation Techniques (OE), an essential topic for ecosystem restoration. After some free time for networking, the agenda continued with sessions on Blue Carbon (GPA), Paper Database (FEDERPARCHI), and the Mid-Term Report (CTN), evaluating the consortium's progress and future directions.
The EFFECTIVE Consortium's meeting in Cyprus successfully improved collaboration among scientists, environmental organizations, and policymakers. The sharing of information and technological developments over the course of two days highlighted the need of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing global environmental concerns. As the project progresses, the lessons learned from this discussion will be critical in building long-term solutions for coastal management and ecosystem preservation.
On behalf of the SPOTTERON team, we would like to extend our gratitude to everybody in the EFFECTIVE Consortium, and to CMMI for their great hospitality and support throughout the meeting!
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