The project of strategic importance will provide systematic and long-term support to the National Strategy for the Protection and Management of the Maritime Environment.
«LIFE SIP GR Blue» has been approved and included under the European funding program LIFE, the Environment & Energy Ministry said on Wednesday. The paln is budgeted at 15 million euros.
According to the ministry, the project of strategic importance will provide systematic and long-term support to the National Strategy for the Protection and Management of the Maritime Environment. The LIFE program, it should be noted, is the most important EU funding tool for the Environment and Action for the Climate. LIFE SIP GR Blue covers all parameters related to the marine environment's protection and aims at the adoption and greater utilization of innovative tools and pilot actions to protect the sea. It also contributes decisively to the cohesion of EU policies, especially its aims for the Green Deal and European Biodiversity Strategy.
In Greece the program will supportand boos the exsiting management of the National Marine environments ans contribute to Greece commintment of exsitinsting national maritime parks in the islands as well as the ionian sea
The program will be coordinated by the ministry, it will last from 2026 to 2034, and the EU funding covers 60% of the budget. A total of 15 partners will be involved in raising involvement of related agencies and local communities to protect the environment.
On Wednesday, the minister also participated in the 35th General Assembly of Association of European Water Regulators (WAREG), being held in Athens on Wednesday and Thursday, under Greece's vice-presidency. At WAREG, he said that "in many respects, the climate crisis is a water crisis, and Greece is no exception. Our country is 19th globally in terms of the threat of water shortage." He added that over 50% of water "is lost in the distribution networks" and reserves are at historically low levels.
In addition, Papastavrou also attended and addressed on Wednesday the "Energy Transition Summit: East Med & Southeast Europe", held by the Financial Times and Kathimeriniat the Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel (June 17-18).