European maritime policy

With our current mandate in the EU Mission Board Restore Our Ocean and Waters, we are actively shaping European maritime policy.

The EU Mission Boards are expert committees that were set up as part of the EU research and innovation program Horizon Europe. They are tasked with developing so-called missions, ambitious and concrete goals for tackling global challenges such as climate change, health or environmental protection. These missions are not only intended to drive scientific progress but also to provide practical solutions to societal problems.

The Mission Boards consist of scientists, entrepreneurs, politicians and representatives of civil society who work together to develop strategies and propose concrete projects. There are five central thematic areas for the missions:

1. Adaptation to Climate Change including Societal Transformation;

2. Cancer;

3. Healthy Oceans, Seas, Coastal and inland Waters;

4. Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities; and

5. Soil health and Food.

The members of the Mission Boards advise the EU Commission and propose measures to achieve these goals by 2030. Their focus is on a transformative approach which combines research, politics and society.

To this end, we are conducting a dialogue with national and international experts from our network in order to develop a realistic plan which focuses on the balance between marine protection and sustainable economic activity.

European Ocean Pact

The German Ocean Foundation joined 26 other experts in the drafting the Manifesto for a European Ocean Pact. Following the initiative of the German Ocean Foundation's advisory board member, Catherine Chabaud, the document has been published in cooperation with our Portuguese partner foundation Ozeano Azul and the think tank Institut Europe Jacques Delors. The document is intended to help ensure that the new legislative period of the European Parliament has a maritime policy which does not start from scratch but instead builds on previous policy.

This was the basis for the group of 27 experts (including many former ministers and also European Union commissioners) to contribute to a paper on European maritime policy. The manifesto seeks to advance a comprehensive agenda, advocating a holistic approach which recognizes the inextricable link between the well-being of society, the competitiveness of our economies and the health of our ocean and waters.

We are pleased that the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has already made this document an integral part of her policy. This has enabled us to achieve an unprecedented political success for our ocean, which we are continuing to work on in the group of experts.