BRIDGE-OCEAN: Bridging Science, Policy, and Society for Ocean Decade Implementation in the Mediterranean-Red Sea Region

Background & Rationale: The UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030) calls for transformative ocean science that delivers knowledge for action. The Mediterranean-Red Sea corridor—connecting Europe, Africa, and Asia—faces shared challenges including climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and unsustainable resource use. Yet scientific capacity, data availability, and science-policy connections vary enormously across the region. Israel occupies a unique position bridging these basins, with established research infrastructure and diplomatic science relationships across geopolitical divides. BRIDGE-OCEAN will leverage this position to strengthen Ocean Decade implementation through capacity building, knowledge co-production, and science-policy dialogue.

Objectives: BRIDGE-OCEAN will: (1) establish a Mediterranean-Red Sea early career researcher network for Ocean Decade science; (2) develop standardized monitoring protocols applicable across the region; (3) create science-policy dialogue platforms connecting researchers with national and regional decision-makers; (4) co-produce actionable knowledge products with coastal communities; and (5) contribute to Ocean Decade endorsed programmes and actions.

Approach: The project will operate through three interconnected pillars:

Pillar 1 – Capacity Building: Annual summer schools rotating across partner countries will train 120+ early career researchers in Ocean Decade priority skills: integrated ecosystem assessment, science communication, stakeholder engagement, and policy translation. Twinning exchanges will pair researchers from data-rich and data-poor institutions.

Pillar 2 – Knowledge Co-Production: Working groups will develop harmonized protocols for seagrass and coastal ecosystem monitoring adoptable across the region. Citizen science programmes will engage fishing communities, dive clubs, and schools in data collection. Indigenous and local knowledge will be documented and integrated with scientific assessments.

Pillar 3 – Science-Policy Bridges: National policy dialogues in each partner country will connect project researchers with environment ministries, fisheries authorities, and marine spatial planners. Regional policy briefs will target the Barcelona Convention (Mediterranean) and Jeddah Convention (Red Sea). Annual Ocean Decade stakeholder forums will showcase project outcomes.

Expected Outcomes:

• 120+ early career researchers trained across 10 countries

• Harmonized monitoring protocols adopted by 3+ regional bodies

• 10 national policy dialogues with documented outcomes

• 3 regional policy briefs influencing Mediterranean/Red Sea governance

• Contribution to 2+ Ocean Decade endorsed programmes

• Sustained regional network beyond project lifetime

Partners Sought:

• Marine research institutes across Mediterranean and Red Sea

• Ocean Decade coordination structures (IOC-UNESCO)

• Regional conventions (UNEP-MAP, PERSGA)

• Science communication and education specialists

• Social scientists (governance, participation)

• Funding agencies and foundations

Countries: Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Greece, Italy, Spain, France, Tunisia, Morocco, Turkey (10 countries across Europe, Middle East, North Africa)