EU Backs €15M Plan to Protect Greek Seas

Greece’s national plan to protect its maritime environment, LIFE SIP GR Blue, has been approved under the EU's LIFE program, the country’s Environment & Energy Ministry announced Wednesday. With a budget of €15 million, the initiative will run from 2026 to 2034 and receive 60% funding from the EU, CE Report quotes Athens-Macedonia

The program aims to support Greece’s National Strategy for Maritime Environment Protection through innovative tools, pilot projects, and the improved management of existing and future National Maritime Parks—particularly in the Ionian Sea and South Aegean.

Environment Minister Stavros Papastavrou hailed the project’s approval as a key milestone, reinforcing both national efforts and EU environmental goals, such as the Green Deal and Biodiversity Strategy. He emphasized the need for stronger cooperation with local communities and agencies, as 15 partners will be involved in implementation.

Papastavrou also addressed two major events on Wednesday: the 35th General Assembly of the Association of European Water Regulators (WAREG) in Athens, where he highlighted Greece’s water shortage risks, and the “Energy Transition Summit” by the Financial Times and Kathimerini, where regional energy challenges were discussed.