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March marked the launch of "Artemis", a project of the Interreg Euro-MED Programme that seeks to combine the ecological benefits of seagrass with innovative financial strategies, such as Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES), to fuel restoration efforts. The kick-off meeting took place online on March 13th with all partners. 

ARTEMIS (Accelerating the Restoration of Seagrass Meadows in the Mediterranean area through Innovative ecosystem-service based Solutions) is an innovative project aimed at promoting the conservation and recovery of seagrass meadows in the Mediterranean, highlighting their crucial role in marine ecosystems and their ability to provide vital ecosystem services. 

Through the implementation of transnational pilots and the integration of the societal and monetary values of seagrass ecosystem services into public and private policies, ARTEMIS aims to make a significant impact on the protection and enhancement of the natural environment and heritage of the Mediterranean. 

The project, with a total budget of about 3 million euros, 80% co-financed by Interreg funds, involves 10 partners from 5 countries -  of which Plan Bleu is the lead partner, offering a wide range of interdisciplinary expertise, from marine biology to economics, from policy management to stakeholder engagement. Among its main objectives are the restoration of more than 2 hectares of seagrass meadows, the generation of additional funding through Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) agreements, and the promotion of a policy shift in favor of the conservation of marine meadows in the Euro-Mediterranean context. 

ARTEMIS's innovative approach is not limited to conservation in four pilot sites, including the Capo Testa Punta Falcone Marine Area in Sardinia, but extends to the evaluation and valorization of the ecosystem services provided by seagrass meadows, such as carbon sequestration, coastal protection, and support for marine biodiversity, emphasising the importance of these ecosystems not only for biodiversity but also for human well-being and sustainable economy. 

Through joint work by research bodies, local authorities, non-governmental organisations, and the private sector, ARTEMIS aims to become a replicable model for the sustainable management of marine and coastal ecosystems, contributing to global goals of biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation. 

In addition to the restoration activities in Sardinia, MEDSEA will significantly contribute to the project's communication, aiming to raise awareness and engage the public on the conservation of marine meadows.