2. Connecting and networking skills

AORA-CSA – Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance Coordination and Support Action

Undefined
Summary: 

The Galway Statement on Atlantic Ocean Cooperation was signed in Galway, Ireland, on 24th of May 2013 by the European Union, Canada and the United States of America.  This marked the birth of Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance (AORA).  The Horizon 2020 Coordination and Support Action (AORA-CSA) was funded by the European Union to support the implementation of the Galway Statement and AORA. The hallmark features of this coordination action is that it be flexible, responsive, value-adding, efficient, innovative, inclusive and supportive.  The catalyzing actions of the AORA-CSA have had and continue to have significant impact to enable and strengthen the Atlantic Ocean Cooperation.

Stakeholder typology: 
Public authority (national / international)
Background: 

Supporting the implementation of the Galway Statement on an Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance;   Improving the international cooperation framework of marine research programmes thus creating the basis for the development of future large-scale joint international marine research programmes.

Objectives: 

The objectives of the AORA-CSA are to support the  implementation of the Galway Statement on Atlantic Ocean Cooperation by coordinating with and supporting the Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance (AORA) between the EU, Canada and the USA.  In that regard, to be responsive to the needs of the AORA as it evolves and to adapt the suite of supports provided by the AORA-CSA accordingly.  To improve the international cooperation framework of marine research programmes thus helping create the basis for the development of future large-scale joint international marine research programmes; and contributing to the EU Blue Growth Agenda where relevant.

Results and Transferability: 

Results achieved to date:

  • On-going support for Trilateral Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance   Roadmap identifying Joint Research Priorities to Develop EU, CA & USA sustainable aquaculture   industry 
  • Principles of Ocean Literacy from N. America transferred to EU and more work planned on  Public Engagement 
  • 7 trans-Atlantic transects mapped in multibeam high resolution 
  • First steps toward a Vision document for trans-Atlantic Cooperation on Ocean Health & Stressors

Transferability of project results to other organisations/subregions, regions, member states:

  • In July 2017, the Belem Statement was on Atlantic Research & Innovation Cooperation was signed between Brazil, Europe and South Africa.  This follows on from the Galway Statement and as a result an All-Atlantic Community is being built based on a strong, socially inclusive and sustainable model of regional development.
  • Within Europe contributing towards strengthening of cross-sea basin science, research and innovation cooperation (Baltic, North, Black and Mediterranean Seas and Atlantic Ocean)
Project/Activity location and area of focus: 

Europe, Canada and the United States of America.

AAP Priority covered : 
Priority 1: Promote entrepreneurship and innovation
Priority 2: Protect, secure and develop the potential of the Atlantic marine and coastal environment
Priority 3: Improve accessibility and connectivity
Priority 4: Create a socially inclusive and sustainable model of regional development
Funding instrument used: 
This Action has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 652677.
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Project or best practice title: 
AORA-CSA – Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance Coordination and Support Action
Country: 
Ireland
Region: 
Galway
Funding contribution (€): 
3.447.000,00
Private contribution (€): 
n/a
Categories: 
2. Connecting and networking skills

ARCOPOLplatform - Platform for improving maritime coastal pollution preparedness and response in Atlantic regions

Undefined
Summary: 

ARCOPOL platform aimed to further improve maritime safety in the Atlantic area and reinforce the protection of the coastal regions from maritime pollution through the capitalization and upgrading of ARCOPOL and ARCOPOLplus outcomes. Specifically, ARCOPOLplatform organised pilot actions addressing local authorities to support the implementation of Local Contingency Plans. Moreover, these plans were improved by the inclusion of ARCOPOL deliverables (tools, guides and key knowledge on Hazardous and Noxious Substances - HNS) that were presented at workshops, training activities (blended learning), road-shows and on websites. The singularities of Natural Protected Areas and post-spill environmental monitoring issues were also considered. Similarly, ARCOPOL spill modelling tools were upgraded, shared among regions and transferred to competent authorities through tailored training. Furthermore, all activities contributed to the development of the Atlantic Technological Platform. This platform is acting as a meeting forum for public and private organizations dealing with oil and HNS spills. It focuses on the exchange of knowledge, the identification of technological supply and demand, and the development of public-private initiatives. The project was developed by a consortium involving 15 partners from 5 countries of the Atlantic Area (Ireland, UK, France, Spain and Portugal), including research organisations as well as regional competent authorities

Stakeholder typology: 
Public authority (local / regional)
Background: 

Back in 2004, the core group of ARCOPOL partners started working together in the frame of EROCIPS project (Emergency Response to coastal Oil, Chemical and Inert Pollution from Shipping. INTERREG IIIB, 2004-2007). EROCIPS’ achievements ranged from the development of forecasting models, risk assessment and guidance on managing volunteers, to the production of training materials and the establishment of ecological monitoring programmes. 

Having EROCIPS as the grounds, the series of ARCOPOL projects started in 2009. The success of the first ARCOPOL (2009-2012) facilitated the continuity of this strategy longer in time, being made a reality in the projects ARCOPOLplus (2012-2014) and ARCOPOLplatform (2014-2015). 

All ARCOPOL projects shared the same final aim, which was reinforcing the preparedness and response to oil and chemical spills in the Atlantic regions. However, from project to project, both the aspects addressed and the strategy used were adapted to the actual needs identified by the partnership. 

Very briefly, ARCOPOL focused on the elaboration of guides and tools to support response operations. Afterwards, In ARCOPOLplus partners kept on updating and upgrading ARCOPOL results, but also made a special effort on innovation, training and technology transfer. However in ARCOPOLplatform, the strategy consisted of stablishing a Platform both for the capitalisation of all ARCOPOL projects results and for public and private collaboration in the scope of the response to maritime pollution.

Objectives: 
  1. Further reinforcing the protection of the Atlantic coast from maritime pollution through the capitalization of ARCOPOL projects results on: contingency planning; chemical spills; drift modelling; environmental monitoring; and training and awareness.
  2. Setting up the ARCOPOL Platform, which is a sustainable structure for public-private cooperation on maritime spills’ preparedness and response.
Results and Transferability: 

The project positively influenced local and regional response systems through, among others, the following main results: the implementation of contingency plans in 6 local authorities and 7 protected areas; the production of 3 Decision Support Tools; the organisation of training sessions (3 workshops, 4 e-learning courses) and 4 exercises; and the setting up of the ARCOPOL Platform.

All the results are available online. When appropriate, information on how to adapt them to other regions is also provided (e.g. the open source tools). Collaboration with stakeholders is promoted through the ARCOPOL Platform. The dissemination of project results outside the partnership was further favoured through meetings with national authorities and the Members of the European Parliament.

Project/Activity location and area of focus: 

The project was implemented in the Atlantic Area, thus in the Atlantic regions of Ireland, UK, France, Spain and Portugal, countries in which organisations participating in the project were located.

AAP Priority covered : 
Priority 2: Protect, secure and develop the potential of the Atlantic marine and coastal environment
Funding instrument used: 
INTERREG Atlantic Area Transnational Programme 2007-2013
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Project or best practice title: 
ARCOPOLplatform - Platform for improving maritime coastal pollution preparedness and response in Atlantic regions
Country: 
Spain
Region: 
Galicia
Funding contribution (€): 
938.044,92
Private contribution (€): 
505.101,10
Categories: 
2. Connecting and networking skills

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