Researchers propose the creation of “Trust Missions” – programmes designed to enhance citizen participation and ensure stable, long-term support for local organisations.
An international scientific team led by the Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM-CSIC) has warned that large-scale international initiatives for ocean protection will not be sufficient unless they prioritise the inclusion of civil society organisations and organised citizens. The article, entitled “Collaborative bottom-up Trust Missions: A perspective on long-term strategies with and for people and Nature”, has been recently published in Nature Portfolio and involves around twenty authors from fourteen European institutions under the umbrella of the EuroMarine network.
The need for a change in approach
The study is framed within the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030) and the European Union Mission ‘Restore our Ocean and Waters’ – two major initiatives that have generated significant projects but have, according to the authors, primarily focused on technological and top-down approaches, supporting a relatively limited number of public and private organisations with sufficient critical mass to participate successfully in funding calls.
“Technological solutions are essential, but on their own they will not bring about the cultural and social transformation needed to reverse the ocean and climate crises,” explains Josep Lluís Pelegrí, lead author of the paper. “We need to invest decisively in bottom-up strategies that originate from citizens and that recognise and strengthen the work of small and medium-sized civil associations and NGOs that have been working on the frontline for years with minimal resources.”
The key role of civil society organisations
The study highlights that local associations, citizen groups and non-profit organisations already play a fundamental role in awareness-raising, environmental education and marine protection. However, most of these organisations are small and lack the technical and administrative capacity required to access large European funding calls.
“If we truly want to foster a society engaged in ocean health, national governments and supranational entities such as the European Union must find innovative ways to offer stable, long-term support to civil organisations already working actively on the ground,” adds Patricia Pinto, from the University of the Algarve (Portugal). “The Ocean Decade has not yet managed to mobilise resources for these organisations, representing a major missed opportunity to engage the public.”
A proposal: Trust Missions
As a response, the authors propose that the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme include missions that promote and support the mobilisation of civil society organisations – what they call Trust Missions. These missions would aim to provide logistical and financial support to small and medium-sized civil entities, ensuring that they can develop and expand their citizen mobilisation and environmental education activities.
“This approach offers a promising pathway to deepen citizen participation in ocean governance,” notes Natalia Bojanić from the Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries in Split (Croatia), adding that “it has the potential to translate European policies into tangible benefits for coastal communities, while also enhancing marine biodiversity protection through local action.”
“The European Union should drive structural changes to ensure that its funding effectively reaches citizens already committed to developing a more harmonious relationship with the ocean, turning them into central actors in the protection of aquatic ecosystems and the development of a genuine blue economy,” says David Whyte, from University College Cork (Ireland).
An international collaborative effort
The article stems from the TransOcean working group, part of the EuroMarine network, Europe’s main platform connecting marine research institutions. The coordination was led by ICM-CSIC, with the involvement of around twenty authors from fourteen institutions across several European countries.
“The writing process itself was a collaborative and plural exercise, in which we sought to reflect the diversity of experiences and perspectives across Europe,” explains Josep Lluís Pelegrí, ICM-CSIC researcher and TransOcean coordinator. “This collective outlook is essential to understand that environmental challenges are global, but the most effective responses often emerge at the local scale.”
Looking ahead
This line of research is part of the Marine Social Sciences activities carried out at ICM-CSIC, particularly in projects linking ocean literacy, arts and sciences, and citizen participation programmes.
“The ocean needs more than technology and science – it needs committed people, shared stories and active communities,” concludes Carine Simon, ICM researcher and co-author of the paper. “Our message is clear: unless we empower the organisations and individuals already working for the ocean, major international missions risk becoming disconnected from society."