Horizon Europe SeaCure Project: Innovative solutions to prevent, reduce, and remedy nutrient pollution in the land-river-sea system in the Mediterranean basin

The overwhelming scientific evidence provided by the academic corpus indicates that addressing the source and negative impacts of nutrient pollution on water, soil, and biodiversity requires a broad landscape-river-sea system approach. This should include sustainable land management practices (especially agricultural ones), improved wastewater treatment, and viable nature restoration strategies.

The SEACURE project will aim to demonstrate, scale up, and replicate effective innovations for the systemic prevention and reduction of nutrient pollution in the Mediterranean Sea basin, in line with the innovation ecosystem framework provided by ongoing Mediterranean Lighthouse projects (such as BlueMissionMed) and in close cooperation with related activities implemented by regional soil health living labs in the area.

The project is dedicating resources to regional expansion and replication of successful nutrient management strategies dedicated to:

• Reduce soil pollution and improve soil restoration.
• Reduce fertilizer use and nutrient losses.
• Prevent, minimize, and remedy nutrient pollution in marine and freshwater ecosystems in six territorial units (Mar Menor and Central Catalonia in Spain, Po Delta and Esino River in Italy, and Axios River Delta and Thessaly Plain in Greece).

On the one hand, feasibility and impact will be assessed. On the other hand, partners will act on innovation levers: policy adoption, social awareness, capacity building, and funding availability. Regional business plans will be developed to scale effective strategies in the territorial units, leveraging the regional mobilization of innovation ecosystems already achieved during the project.

Finally, knowledge replication will be encouraged through technical assistance to Partner Regions through FSTP grants. In short, the project is adopting the Missions' impact-driven approach, working with stakeholders to maximize the adoption of its results.