CO-WATERS · Coalition of Waterfront Cities, Regions and Islands

Making the bridge from the first to the second implementation phase of the Mission Ocean and Waters (MOW), CO-WATERS will strengthen the growing momentum by developing and animating a Coalition of waterfront cities, regions, islands and third parties (e.g. universities, NGOs, investors etc) supporting these in their local journeys to reach the MOW objectives. CO-WATERS will deliver to the Coalition a wide range of networking, knowledge exchange and support services (twinning, working groups, interactive trainings, advisory support) to further empower Coalition members to think and act systemically, engage citizens and local stakeholders and enhance access to funding and financing streams that will support their MOW transition journey (WP1, WP2, WP3, WP5), as per their needs (modular approach). At the same time, in close collaboration with the EC Mission Ocean and Waters Secretariat and in line with existing labelling schemes (e.g. Cities Mission Label, Sustainable Island Label), CO-WATERS will develop the MOW Label (WP4) and will pilot the Label application process with two waves of applicants, who will receive tailored support. The services provided by CO-WATERS will be appropriately sequenced so that Coalition members receiving these can also smoothly apply for the MOW Label – without having to follow new processes / trainings / courses of action which will stretch their limited resources. In order to maximise value for Coalition members and ensure alignment and coherence, the project will strongly align and build on key actors and activities in the EU COM and the EU Missions’ space, as well as other related EU and international initiatives and projects (including investor networks).