{"id":1849,"date":"2026-07-23T08:28:59","date_gmt":"2026-07-23T08:28:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/just4mpa.unibuc.ro\/?p=1849"},"modified":"2026-07-23T19:40:45","modified_gmt":"2026-07-23T19:40:45","slug":"the-university-of-bucharest-announces-the-completion-of-the-just4mpa-project-advancing-blue-justice-through-interdisciplinary-research","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/just4mpa.unibuc.ro\/?p=1849","title":{"rendered":"The University of Bucharest Announces the Completion of the JUST4MPA Project: Advancing Blue Justice Through Interdisciplinary Research"},"content":{"rendered":"
The University of Bucharest announces the completion of the <\/span>JUST4MPA \u2013 Blue Justice and Just Transformation: far-fetched concepts for Romania’s Marine Protected Areas?<\/strong> project, implemented between <\/span>30 December 2022 and 30 June 2026<\/strong> and funded through Romania’s <\/span>National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR)<\/strong>, Component C9 \u2013 Support for the Private Sector, Research, Development and Innovation, Investment I8 \u2013 Development of a Programme to Attract Highly Specialized Human Resources from Abroad for Research, Development and Innovation Activities, with a total budget of <\/span>\u20ac1.41 million<\/strong>.<\/span><\/div>\n
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Coordinated by Priscila F. M. Lopes<\/strong> and Maria-Nata\u0219a T\u0103tui-V\u0103idianu<\/strong>, the project brought together an interdisciplinary team of researchers in geography, marine ecology, anthropology, governance, spatial analysis, and social sciences to investigate how marine conservation policies affect coastal communities and to contribute to the development of more equitable and inclusive management approaches for Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in Romania.<\/p>\n

A New Perspective on Marine Conservation<\/h2>\n

In the context of European biodiversity targets and the expansion of Marine Protected Areas, JUST4MPA addressed a fundamental question: How can nature be protected without overlooking the people who depend on it?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The project explored the concept of Blue Justice<\/strong> and the relationship between marine conservation, social equity, and the sustainable development of coastal communities. It examined how conservation policies can support a just ecological transition without increasing existing social and economic inequalities.<\/p>\n

To achieve these objectives, the research combined approaches from the social sciences and marine ecology, integrating qualitative research, spatial analysis, statistical modelling, and direct engagement with local stakeholders.<\/p>\n

Interdisciplinary Research in the Danube Delta and the Black Sea<\/h2>\n

Throughout the project, the JUST4MPA team carried out extensive fieldwork in the Danube Delta and along the Romanian Black Sea coast, working closely with fishers, local communities, NGOs, public authorities, and research institutions.<\/p>\n

Interviews conducted in communities such as Sf\u00e2ntu Gheorghe, Jurilovca, and Corbu<\/strong> provided valuable insights into how climate change, declining fish stocks, tourism development, and marine conservation policies affect the daily lives and livelihoods of coastal communities.<\/p>\n

These findings were integrated with spatial and socio-economic analyses of environmental pressures, fishing effort, protection levels, and the characteristics of nearby coastal communities, contributing to the development of practical tools and recommendations for more effective and socially equitable Marine Protected Area management.<\/p>\n

Scientific Results and Outreach Activities<\/h2>\n

Beyond its scientific contributions, JUST4MPA placed a strong emphasis on communicating research findings to both the scientific community and the wider public.<\/p>\n

The project’s main outcomes include:<\/p>\n