TRITON – “Improve the policy insTRuments efficiency of the marine sITes of cOmmunity importance” is a project co-funded by the Interreg Europe Programme 2021–2027. Its goal is to improve the effectiveness of policy instruments and management plans of Sites of Community Importance (SCI), Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), and Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) identified by the project partners.

The project aims to identify and share best practices with key stakeholders, strengthening the capacities of the involved institutions through training events and peer reviews. TRITON contributes to Programme Priority No. 2, “Greener Europe”, and specifically to the objective “Nature and biodiversity”.

The project started on May 1, 2025, and will end on July 30, 2029. TRITON has a total budget of €1,399,960.00, of which €1,119,968.00 come from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and €279,992.00 are covered by national co-financing or direct partner contributions.

The first three years represent the core phase, during which each partner, in collaboration with stakeholders, will improve the policy instruments identified in the preparatory phase. The fourth and final year is dedicated to monitoring the updated policy instruments and evaluating their long-term impact.

The partnership is composed of six institutions from different areas of Europe, each with its own territorial context and expertise:

• Consorzio di Gestione di Torre Guaceto (Italy) – project leader, responsible for updating the management plan of the Torre Guaceto State Nature Reserve and the Site of Community Importance “Torre Guaceto e Macchia S. Giovanni (IT9140005)”.

• Autonomous Community of the Region of Murcia – Directorate-General for Natural Heritage and Climate Action (Spain) – focused on improving the Operational Programme of the Region of Murcia within the ERDF 2021–2027 framework.

• National Institute for Research and Development of the Danube Delta (Romania) – committed to updating the Management Plan of the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve and its regulatory framework, with the support of the Reserve’s Management Authority.

• Executive Agency of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Resources Management – Regional Branch (Netherlands) – working on the Natura 2000 Management Plan for the Dogger Bank Special Area of Conservation.

• Administration of the Protected Areas of Minor Lithuania (Lithuania) – advancing the Management Plan of the Pajūris (Seaside) Regional Park.

• Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Development of the Northern Region (Montenegro) – tasked with improving the national strategy for the protection of the marine environment.

Together, these partners aim to strengthen the governance of sensitive marine areas through the exchange of experiences, best practices, and the development of effective solutions adapted to their respective policy contexts. By sharing knowledge, promoting good practices, and developing tailored solutions, TRITON seeks to enhance the governance of marine areas and ensure more effective and sustainable management of biodiversity across different European contexts.