CrossGov – Coherent and Cross-Compliant Ocean Governance for Delivering the EU Green Deal

CrossGov is a Horizon Europe-funded Research and Innovation project that aims to enhance coherence and cross-compliance in European ocean governance. The project explores how different EU policies and legal frameworks interact across sectors and governance levels, and how (in)coherence affects the implementation of the European Green Deal and Oceans Pact, particularly in relation to biodiversity protection, zero pollution, and climate action. 

CrossGov investigates both the design and practical implementation of key EU directives and strategies, including the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Water Framework Directive, Nature Restoration Law, and Maritime Spatial Planning Directive, and sectoral policies such as the Common Fisheries Policy, the Common Agricultural Policy, Renewable Energy Directive III and more. 

Through a combination of legal analysis, institutional mapping, and stakeholder engagement, the project identifies barriers and opportunities for more coherent, integrated and effective ocean governance. 

The project includes in-depth case studies from regions such as the Oslofjord, Northern Adriatic, the Dutch, Norwegian and German North Sea, Baltic Sea, the Finnish Archipelago and the Mediterranean, and the French coast. 

CrossGov delivers actionable policy recommendations and sector-specific roadmaps to help align environmental and sectoral objectives, contributing to a more sustainable and resilient marine environment in Europe. The project also provides a comprehensive methodology (the Policy Coherence Framework) to assess and understand policy coherence, to guide future coherence assessments. 

The project is funded by the EU under Horizon Europe (Grant Agreement ID 101060958) and is led by Dr. Froukje Maria Platjouw. 

CrossGov has delivered a range of outputs designed to support coherent and cross-compliant ocean governance in Europe. These include: 

1. Policy briefs
   • Targeted recommendations to improve policy coherence across sectors and governance levels. 
   • Focus areas include biodiversity, pollution control, climate neutrality, and sectoral integration, as well as recommendations towards to Oceans Pact. 
2. Case study reports

   

   • Regional analyses from 8 case areas around Europe.
   • Each case explores governance challenges and opportunities for improved coherence.
3. Webinar series
   • Expert-led sessions on marine policy coherence, science-policy-society interfaces, offshore wind and biodiversity, and source-to-sea governance.
   • Available as recordings and summaries for wider dissemination.
4. Sectoral roadmaps
   • Offshore wind & biodiversity: Aligning renewable energy development with marine conservation goals.
   • Fisheries & biodiversity: Strengthening sustainable fisheries management and marine protected areas.
   • Agriculture & marine Pollution: Reducing nutrient runoff through integrated planning and cross-sector coordination.

   

   These roadmaps offer actionable recommendations to support the realisation of the marine policy ambitions within the European Green Deal and Ocean Pact.

5. Massive Open Online Course (MOOC)

   A free, modular course designed for policymakers, researchers, and students. It covers:

   • EU marine policy coherence
   • Science-Policy-Society Interfaces (SPSIs)
   • Case study insights
   • Practical tools and methodologies

   Learners can earn certificates and engage in discussions with experts.

6. Policy Coherence Handbook

   A practical guide for assessing coherence within and between policies. It introduces a four-phase methodology, and guiding questions to systematically assess policy coherence. Authored by NIVA and partners, the handbook is designed for researchers, consultants, and policymakers working on marine and environmental governance.

   

7. Comprehensive deliverables

   Over 20 public deliverables including:

   • Methodological frameworks
   • Coherence and cross-compliance analyses
   • Stakeholder engagement reports
   • Guidance documents for SPSI and integrated planning
8. Scientific publications, blog posts & reflections
   • Peer-reviewed articles on ecosystem-based management, legal coherence, and marine spatial planning
   • Reflections and chronicles from project partners on policy coherence challenges and opportunities
   • Contributions to conferences and policy dialogues across Europe

https://www.policycoherencehandbook.eu/

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